Kelpie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Creature | |
|---|---|
| Grouping | Mythological |
| Sub grouping | Water spirit |
| Similar creatures | Each uisge Nix |
| Data | |
| Mythology | Celtic mythology |
| Country | Scotland Ireland |
| Habitat | Rivers Lochs |
The kelpie is a supernatural water horse from Celtic folklore that is believed to haunt the rivers and lochs of Scotland and Ireland.
Contents |
[edit] Description and behavior
Its hide was supposed to be black (though in some stories it was white), and will appear to be a lost pony, but can be identified by its constantly dripping mane. Its skin is like that of a seal, smooth, but is as cold as death when touched. The horse's appearance is strong, powerful, and breathtaking. Water horses are also known to transform into beautiful women in order to lure men into their traps. It is understood that the nostril of the horse is what creates the illusion of grandeur. The water horse also creates illusions to keep itself hidden, keeping only its eye above water to scout the surface, much like the illusion of a fish's pupil. It is wise to keep away from them. If a human climbs on the back of a water horse, the horse will often dive into the water and drown its rider. If a human gains control over the horse it can be put to work in fields. Water Horses have the strength of ten land horses and do not like to be enslaved and will try every trick to escape. The water horse then courts its master for several years before it consumes only the left leg and right hand pinky finger of the victim.
The water horse is also a common form of the kelpie, said to lure mortals, especially children, into the water to drown and eat them. It performs this act by encouraging children to ride on its back. Once its victims fall into its trap, the kelpie's skin becomes adhesive and it bears them into the river, dragging them to the bottom of the water and devouring them - except the heart or liver. A common Scottish tale is the story of nine children lured onto a kelpie's back, while a tenth keeps his distance. The kelpie chases him and tries to catch him, but he escapes. A variation on this is that the tenth child simply strokes the kelpie's nose, but when his finger becomes stuck to it he takes a knife from his pocket and cuts his own finger off. He saves himself, but is unable to help his friends as they are pulled underwater with the kelpie. Commonly known as spirits of the dead, kelpies are not benevolent creatures.
An exception is a Scottish tale in which, towards the end of the mystical period of Scotland, a water horse fails to travel to Tír na nÓg with its fellow mystic folk, and instead rises above water, seeking a wife. However, after attempting to court a clever girl, who consults the wiseman about the situation, he is captured and forced to work in order to be taught compassion. After learning his lesson, he is given the choice of departing to Tír na nÓg, or drinking a magic potion that will make him a real man. The water horse, now full of love decides to drink the potion which erases the memories of his life as a water horse and gives him the chance to live with the clever girl with whom he has fallen in love.
[edit] Similar creatures
In Orkney a similar creature was called the nuggle, and in Shetland a similar creature was called the shoopiltee, the njogel, or the tangi. On the Isle of Man it is known as the cabbyl-ushtey (Manx Gaelic for "water horse," compare to Irish capall uisge) or the glashtin. In Wales, a similar creature is known as the Ceffyl Dŵr. It also appears in Scandinavian folklore where in Sweden it is known by the name Bäckahästen, the brook horse. In Norway it is called nøkken, where the horse shape is often used, but is not its true form. In the Faroe Islands it is called Nykur and in Iceland it is called nykur or nennir. Another similar Scottish water horse is the each uisge, which also appears in Ireland.
[edit] Into the West
The film Into the West features a kelpie. Ossie, the younger of the two brothers, has a kelpie come to him so as to unite the broken family of himself, his brother and father. Ossie imagines that the kelpie is his mother's soul. The kelpie is a white mare, who true to her nature can jump amazing lengths and heights. Also true to her nature, she nearly lures Ossie to a watery grave, recalling the kelpie legend as well as the legend of Ossian's Ride. However Ossie is saved by the ghost of his mother, and the love of his brother and father.
[edit] Gun Running Vessel
Following the prohibition on the import of arms into Ireland (Dec 1913), in the aftermath of the introduction of the Home Rule Bill for Ireland (1912), a yacht named Kelpie was involved in the smuggling of rifles, in July and August 1914, for the Nationalist organisation the Irish Volunteers. The Kelpie was skippered by Conor O’Brien (1880–1952), a Limerickman.
[edit] Alcoholic beverage
Kelpie is also the name of a seaweed ale brewed by the Heather Ale Company in Alloa, Scotland.
[edit] See also
- Each uisge
- Vodyanoy — a water sprite in Slavic mythology
- Nix - Also in Scandinavian lore
- Scottish Folk Tales by Ruth Manning-Sanders
- Ceffyl Dŵr
- Nessie
- Hippocamp
[edit] References
- Sjögren, Bengt, Berömda vidunder, Settern, 1980, ISBN 91-7586-023-6 (Swedish)
