THE MOST POPULAR MYTHS AND LEGENDS OF GOBLINS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

Goblin myths and legends refer to small, humanoid-shaped creatures that are spoken about by different mythologies around the world. Regardless of the country of origin, legends highlight the fondness of elves for children and for mischief.

The word duende comes from the expression house owner, which means "house owner." This expression would obey the intrusive character of these creatures.

Although Christianity does not consider them, between the 16th and 17th centuries there were demonologists who included them as a type of demon.

According to the popular culture of many countries around the world, they are humans who do not reach one meter in height. They have long, pointed ears, sharp teeth, and greenish skin.

They are also given supernatural or magical powers and are described as pranksters and malicious.

Regarding its origin, in some American countries it is believed that it is a child who died without being baptized, or it may also be a child who beat his mother.

To scare them away, there are those who advise playing loud music or adding salt.

Although they seem stories product of superstition, their frequency and roots in some cultures make them become an important part of their folklore.

Top 10 myths about goblins

1- the leprechaun

According to Irish folklore, the leprechaun legend refers to the story of a little red-haired man with a beard, who wears red or green and who inhabited Ireland centuries ago.

Legend has it that they are beings that fix or make shoes, and protect treasures that they hid during periods of war. It is precisely this custodial work that makes them distrustful and greedy.

They say that if you stare at them, they cannot escape people, but a simple carelessness is enough to make them disappear from the sight of whoever discovered them.

Regarding its name, there is no consensus on whether it means shoemaker or dwarf. This is the myth that is represented in the images that are exhibited in the celebrations of San Patricio.

2- Fossegrimen

In Scandinavian mythology there are several types of goblins that are generally associated with water.

These creatures live near farms and rivers or lakes. They usually wear blue or gray clothes, and they like to lure humans into the water to drown them.

In Norway, the Fossegrimen appears playing a musical instrument that, on occasions, he shares with whoever manages to see it to teach them to tune it. They are usually associated with the countryside and farms.

3- The goblin of Cañasgordas

In this Colombian legend there is talk of a small being, like a child, who wears a large hat and cries with hunger. It usually moves those who see it, who take it home to feed it.

Once at the home of the unwary, the child begins to grow and transform into an evil creature with deteriorated and pointed teeth that he exhibits to scare people, while shouting "I already have teeth!" After this, he runs out and disappears.

4- Lutin

He is a French legend. It is a creature that can become invisible or transform into a horse when wearing its red hat.

It is a belief ingrained in Québec, the French colony in Canada, where they are associated with domestic animals.

In the case of Québec, the lutin can be good or bad, has the power to control the water and prefers to transform into white cats. Lutin is believed to hate salt.

5- Kobold

Small creatures that inhabit caves or houses survive in German folklore and can help with housework in exchange for food.

They are vindictive spirits: when they are not fed, they do mischief in the house in which they worked. These characters appear in various video games, such as Tales of Symphonia or Warcraft.

6- The momoy

The inhabitants of the Venezuelan moors in the states of Mérida and Trujillo believe in the existence of little men, about 40 centimeters tall, who take care of the rivers and lagoons.

They say that they are dressed as indigenous and that they adorn their bodies with feathers, wear hats and beards. They lean on a cane to walk.

As in the myths and legends of other latitudes, these characters do mischief, especially people who dirty or damage the environment of the moors.

They sing, whistle, play, and sometimes steal food and sweets from travelers' backpacks.

7- The zashiki warashi

In Japan there are countless stories about a type of ghost that guards the houses and its inhabitants from any danger.

According to Japanese mythology, it could be the spirit of a family ancestor who takes the form of a girl with short reddish hair, and wears a red kimono.

It is also a childlike creature who likes mischief and to be treated with a certain appreciation by the inhabitants of the house.

8- The mazapegul

In Italy there is talk of a family of night elves made up of various tribes. It is said that there is evidence of this family in a contract for the sale of a house, dated 1487.

According to this contract, the house was inhabited by a goblin who did mischief and who had fallen in love with a young woman of the family. As for its appearance, there is talk of a mixture between cat and monkey, with a cap and without clothes.

In Italian mythology it is about a creature that embodies erotic passion and is believed to sexually attack women while they sleep. It is also said to attack animals, especially horses.

9- The aluxes

The Mayans believed in the existence of miniature people, who appeared dressed in the typical costumes of the Mayan culture when they decided to make themselves visible to humans.

They are usually located in jungles, caves, forests or fields. Powers over nature are assigned to them.

The Mayans built altars or houses on their properties, called kahtal alux (the house of the alux), to enjoy their protection for 7 years.

During that time, the alux will help the corn to grow and scare off predatory animals.

After that, the alux must lock himself in his kahtal alux, because his behavior changes and he can become aggressive towards people.

10- The goblin of the potty

A legend from Costa Rica tells that a family went to live in a house in the country. Over time they discovered that the house was inhabited by goblins.

These beings fell in love with one of their daughters and began to do mischief and annoy the people who lived there, until they were forced to leave the house.

The family tried not to make noise when taking out their things so that the goblins would not know they were leaving. They put everything in a cart and left at noon.

Already far from the house one of the children noticed that he had left his potty (potty, urinal or potty), and he warned his parents with a shout.

Immediately a little voice is heard that responds with a laugh: "Don't worry, we're taking you here!"

Stories like this already circulated among the Brisbris, an indigenous tribe of Costa Rica, so they are long-standing beliefs in the region.

Today it is common to hear stories about elves, little men and extravagant in their clothes, who do mischief, protect families or misplace children among the forests, pastures and mountains.

References

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2. Angelus (2017). Fairies, goblins and Celtic mythology. Recovered from: angelus201.wordpress.com
3. Northern folklore (s / f). The goblin. Recovered from: folkloredelnorte.com.ar
4. Henao Sara (2010). Myth the goblin. Recovered from: mitoelduende.blogspot.com
5. McCoy, Daniel (2012). Gods and creatures. Recovered from: norse-mythology.org
6. Myths and legends (s / f). The Goblins. Recovered from: mitosyleyendascr.com
7. Rodríguez, Noelia (2009). The legend of the leprechauns. Recovered from: sobreirlanda.com
8. Xiomi (2011). Goblin stories. Recovered from: traditionoralchimborazo.blogspot.com