This article is about the legendary creatures. For other uses of the word "sprite", see sprite (disambiguation).

The term sprite is a general term referring to a number of legendary creatures. The term may be used in reference to both elf-like creatures, including fairies and other similar creatures, and to spirits, including both ghosts and spiritual beings. The term is chiefly used in regards to European folklore . The word sprite is from 'spiritus' (spirit). Also called Spright or Spriggan (Celtic).

The belief in elf-like creatures remains predominantly within Scandinavian countries and Japan. Belief is also widespread within Neopagan spiritual movements such as "Druidry" and Ásatrú. The belief in ghosts and other spirits is found almost everywhere in the world.

Classes of sprites

Elves (Elfs)

Air elves - sylphs

• Fairies (Faeries, Faieries, Fae, Farisees, Fe, Pharisees)
• Dryads

Earth elves - gnomes

Also known as Hammerlinge and Kaukis.

• Brownies (Bergmaennlein, Bockle, Bodachs, Brown Man, Bwbachod, Bwca, Chin-Chin Kobakama, Choa Phum Phi, Domonvoi, Fenodoree, Heinzelmännchen, House Brownie, Hütchen, Little Man, Nis, Niägruisar, Phynnodderee, Pwca, Tomte, Tomtra, Yumboes)
  • Church Grims (Kyrkogrims)
  • Pixies (Pickers, Pigseys, Pisgies, Piskies, Urchins)
• Goblins (Bauchans, Blobs, Bogans, Boggarts, Bogeys, Boggans, Bogies, Boogies, Boogey Men, Bug-A-Boos, Bugbears, Buggane, Gobelins, Gobs, Hobbers, Hobgoblins, Padfoots)
  • Pooka (Glashtyn, Phooka, Phouka)
• Leprechauns
• Gremlins
• Erdluitles (Duckfoots)
• Dwarfs (Dark Elves, Dwarves, and Gommes)
  • Knockers (Berg-Mönche, Black Dwarf, Coblynau, Hausschmiedlein, Miester-Zwuergen, Mine Goblin)
  • Kobolds
    • Klabauters (Klabautermannikin, Kaboutermannikin)
    • Poltersprites

Fire elves - salamanders

Water elves - undines

• Mermaids
• Sirens
• Selkies (Seal-Maids)
• Mari-Morgans
• Morgans
• Fluvial Mermaids
• Ondinas
• Náiades
• Fossegrim
• Akkruva
• Sacien
• Roussalkas
• Vodianoi
• Fenettes (Water Sorceress, Macroles d’Ainer, Marluzene, Blanquettes)
• Wivres (Vouivres, Wouivres, Guivres)
• Kelpies
• Näcken
• Water Nymphs

Spirits

• Phantoms
• Poltergeists
• Spectres
• Ghosts
• Fanfrelons

External links

• Fae Dictionary
• Swedish Myths
• MSN: Groups: HOROSCOPECHAT: MythologyBoard: Fairies and their lore: Elves and Fairies
• Youkaimura: Discussion Board: Topic: European Youkai (Youkai is a Japanese umbrella term for sprites, demons, and monsters. Mura is Japanese for villiage.)