Artwork by Andrea Dean Von Scoyoc
When it comes to Celtic (particularly Irish) Myth and Lore, one of the first mythical creatures that might come to someone's mind is the Leprechaun. Over the years, it has appeared in entertainment in a variety of forms and incarnations, both benevolent and malevolent. But where exactly did the leprechaun have its origins and just how old is the mythology and legend?
As with much of the ancient lore, claims of individuals encountering leprechauns are several, much like claims of encounters with faeries. In fact, leprechauns are said to be part of the fae folk and stories of them have been passed down generations. In fact, some of the first claims of sightings date as far back as the 700s.
The question of how the leprechaun came to have its name, it is said to come from the old Irish word, luchorpán, meaning 'a small body' as they are said to stand no taller than a child of age three. Others claim it to have developed from an Irish word meaning shoemaker.
When it comes to a leprechaun's appearance, it is typically described as a bearded man in a green suit and hat. Prior to the 19th century, leprechauns were often described as wearing red suits until an Irish poet by the name of William Allingham wrote of a leprechaun wearing green. It was his image that became implanted and what many are most familiar with today.
As an interesting side note, it is also believed that no female leprechauns exist.
The leprechaun is also said to be the only faerie with a human occupation. They are almost always described as a shoemaker spending the vast majority of his time making and fixing shoes. When a leprechaun is near, you might hear the tapping of his tiny hammer as he drives nails into shoes.
Now as for that legendary pot of gold, it is said that every leprechaun has a pot of gold hidden away deep within the Irish countryside. Should a leprechaun be captured, he must give away his treasure to that individual. Though these creatures are said to be quite clever and mischievous, enjoying playing a good trick on those they meet. In other words, he won't let his gold slip away that easily. A very sneaky leprechaun can fool a person into looking away for an instant before he will vanish into the forest, taking his treasure with him.
The Leprechaun can only be found in Ireland, in rural areas away from the general population.
Burrowed deep in underground caves with entrances hidden as rabbit
holes or found in a hollow trunk of a Fairy tree they find safety away
from humans who seek to capture them to be granted 3 wishes. -yourirish.com
As a final note, the Leprechaun's very interesting cousin is the Clurichaun, and I will be covering the latter in the next FFL Friday.
Sources of interest:
https://www.cbc.ca/kidscbc2/the-feed/the-legend-of-the-leprechaun
https://www.yourirish.com/folklore/legend-of-leprechauns
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