This article will talk about who leprechaun is. This creature, which is devoted to many stories. Each nation has its own tales and fairy-tale characters - elves, fairies, gnomes, brownies. They are good and evil, smart and stupid, cunning and simpletons.
Who is leprechaun?
Leprechauns are magical creatures from the folklore of Ireland, an amazing country of myths and legends. On March 17, a Christian holiday is celebrated in Ireland - St. Patrick's Day, the main saint of the Irish. It is believed that he brought Christianity to Ireland.
On this day, everything around is decorated with green and trefoil. Green is the color of Ireland, and the shamrock is its symbol, which is believed to bring good luck. On St. Patrick's Day , festive costume parades are held in which brass bands with bagpipes participate.
Despite the fact that the holiday is called Christian, pagan traditions are also involved in it. Therefore, an obligatory character of him is the Irish leprechaun. He adds fun and jokes to the holiday. In his honor, parade participants put on green hats.
The image of leprechaun is very controversial. It is mixed and ugly, and funny.
Distinctive features of leprechauns
They are portrayed as little men of advanced age.
Leprechaun is a creature that is distinguished by special external data:
- small stature;
- wrinkled face with white skin;
- red beard ;
- red nose.
Many say leprechaun is ugly. It is impossible to find a photo of him, but there are numerous sketches and paintings.
How to dress a leprechaun?
This character is easy to recognize by clothing - it is predominantly green, as are the colors of Ireland. Leprechaun wears:
- a short frock coat with huge shiny buttons;
- long blue stockings;
- cocked hat with a high top to match the clothes;
- obligatory leather apron;
- high shoes with a huge silver buckle.
A leather apron testifies to the craft of leprechaun - he is a shoemaker. This little man sews shoes for fairies. However, for some reason he is always seen in work on one left shoe.
Where does leprechaun live and what is his hobby?
Favorite leprechaun entertainment:
- music;
- dancing;
- fox hunting;
- Irish whiskey "Potin";
- smoking.
It is believed that this dwarf can drink a whole barrel of Irish whiskey. Therefore, he is always tipsy. Leprechaun smokes a strong smelly tobacco and walks with a pipe in his mouth.
The habitats of these gnomes are:
- dense forests;
- deep caves;
- tall emerald grass in the hills;
- cellars and cellars.
Leprechauns can not be called good wizards, rather the opposite. But their character is very controversial. They differ: cunning, stinginess, harmfulness and revenge.
The older the gnomes, the more harmful they are. They like to build dirty tricks on people because they consider them evil and greedy. A frequent character in modern horror films is precisely the leprechaun. Photos and shots from films prove this.
The value of gold in the life of leprechauns
These gnomes are also depicted with a pot of gold in their hands. There is a belief that they are the guardians of the ancient treasures of the Vikings. The tipsy leprechaun instantly sobers up as soon as it comes to treasures.
Leprechauns carry two wallets with them - one with a gold coin and the other with a silver one. Both coins are magical. As soon as the dwarf pays with a silver coin, she immediately returns to his wallet. If he gives the gold coin, it turns into a leaf. So they circle people around the finger.
These little men increase their wealth every night. They make their way to people in the house and chip small pieces from their gold coins. The legend of leprechauns is known to all wealth seekers.
You can find the gnome at the end of the rainbow on which he runs. If you catch him, you can try to lure his treasures. However, so far no one has been able to do this. Leprechauns come up with a thousand tricks to trick a person and escape. They do not want to give people gold, because they consider them evil, stupid and greedy. In addition, if the treasures of leprechauns fall into the wrong hands, then instantly dissolve in the air. Therefore, it makes no sense to try to take possession of this gold.
If you do not offend him, then leprechaun is a fun and friendly creature. However, he does not forgive insults and will certainly take revenge on the offender. Usually they try to appease him and leave a saucer with milk on the doorstep. Leprechauns are angry and damage done to nature, whether it is a broken blackthorn or a dead robin. Therefore, it is better to be friends with him.
Dublin has a museum of leprechauns. There are many exhibits related to the myths and legends of Ireland. There is also a room with giant furniture. In this room, a person feels himself a leprechaun. The museum attracts a huge number of tourists. There are also parks and alleys dedicated to little funny people. This is a real symbol of Ireland, without a gnome, not a single costume event can do.