Will-o'-the-Wisp | |
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Other Name |
will-o'-the-wisp, will-o'-wisp, or ignis fatuus |
First Appearance |
World Folklore |
Created by |
World Folklore |
Origin[]
In folklore, a will-o'-the-wisp, will-o'-wisp, or ignis fatuus, is an atmospheric ghost light seen by travelers at night, especially over bogs, swamps or marshes. The phenomenon is known in much of European folklore by a variety of names, including jack-o'-lantern, friar's lantern, and hinkypunk, and is said to mislead travelers by resembling a flickering lamp or lantern.
In folklore wills-o'-the-wisp are typically attributed as ghosts, fairies or elemental spirits. Modern science explains the light aspect as natural phenomena such as bioluminescence or chemiluminescence, caused by the oxidation of phosphine (PH3), diphosphane (P2H4) and methane (CH4), produced by organic decay.
In Japanese, Hitodama (literally "Human Soul" as a ball of energy), Hi no Tama (Ball of Flame), Aburagae, Koemonbi, Ushionibi, etc. All these phenomena are described as associated with graveyards. Kitsune, mythical yokai demons, are also associated with will 'o the wisp, with the marriage of two kitsune producing kitsune-bi, literally meaning 'fox-fire'.
In Welsh folklore, it is said that the light is "fairy fire" held in the hand of a púca, or pwca, a small goblin-like fairy that mischievously leads lone travellers off the beaten path at night. As the traveler follows the púca through the marsh or bog, the fire is extinguished, leaving them lost. The púca is said to be one of the Tylwyth Teg, or fairy family.
There are some tales told about the will-o'-the-wisp being guardians of treasure, much like the Irish leprechaun leading those brave enough to follow them to sure riches. Other stories tell of travellers getting lost in the woodland and coming upon a will-o'-the-wisp, and depending on how they treated the will-o'-the-wisp, the spirit would either get them lost further in the woods or guide them out.
Will-o'-the-wisp in Paradise Lost has a metaphorical meaning, describing a hope or goal that leads one on but is impossible to reach, or something one finds sinister and confounding. In Book IX of Paradise Lost, lines 631-642, Satan is compared to a will-o-the-wisp when he leads Eve to the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil.
Will o' the wisp makes its appearance in the first chapter of Bram Stoker's Dracula: the Count, masquerading as a coach driver, takes Jonathan Harker to his castle in the night. When Harker asks Dracula about the lights, the Count makes reference to a common folk belief about the phenomenon by saying that they mark where treasure is buried.
Public Domain Appearances[]
All published appearances of the Will-o'-the-Wisp published before January 1, 1929 are public domain.
Some notable appearances are listed below:
Public Domain Literary Appearances[]
- Paradise Lost
- Dracula
- The King of Elfland's Daughter
Public Domain Comic Appearances[]
- Key Comics #1-5 - Gale Leary had a willow branch that gave her give her supernatural powers. These included glowing with a strange light, much like the Will O' The Wisp which she adopted as her name and used her powers to fight for justice.
- Silver Streak Comics #1 - Will-o-Wisp uses a brilliant light to distract a mark and steal their valuables. Mister Midnite assists Chief Birey to capture the clever criminal.
Notes[]
- In Marvel Comcis, Will o' the Wisp, also known as Dr. Jackson Arvad, is a supervillain and physicist who can control the electromagnetic attraction between his molecules, allowing him to change his density. He is often an enemy of Spider-Man.
- In Marvel Family #51, Will O'Wisp was an enemy of Mary Marvel. He used an invisibility cloak and the light from his lantern to appear as a disembodied light. He would lead people traveling through a certain swamp deeper into it until they were lost, then extort them for money to lead them out again.
- Will-O-Wisp is a non-damaging Fire-type move introduced in Generation III of Pokemon which inflicts the burn status condition on a target.