Will-o-the-Wisp

E713545

folklore motif supernatural phenomenon in folklore

Will-o-the-Wisp is a mysterious, ghostly light from folklore that is said to lure travelers off safe paths, often associated with marshes, spirits, or deceptive supernatural forces.

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Statements (54)

Predicate	Object
instanceOf	folklore motif ⓘ supernatural phenomenon in folklore ⓘ
appearsIn	English folktales ⓘ Irish folktales ⓘ Scottish folktales ⓘ
associatedWithConcept	deceptive supernatural forces ⓘ fairies ⓘ lost souls ⓘ misleading guidance ⓘ omens of death ⓘ spirits of the dead ⓘ trickster spirits ⓘ
associatedWithLocation	bogs ⓘ fens ⓘ graveyards ⓘ lonely rural paths ⓘ marshes ⓘ swamps ⓘ
culturalOrigin	British folklore ⓘ European folklore ⓘ Irish folklore ⓘ North American folklore ⓘ Scandinavian folklore ⓘ
describedAs	deceptive atmospheric light ⓘ mysterious ghostly light ⓘ
etymology	name refers to Will with the wisp (bundle of sticks or light) ⓘ
hasAlternativeName	corpse candle NERFINISHED ⓘ friar's lantern NERFINISHED ⓘ hinky punk ⓘ ignis fatuus NERFINISHED ⓘ jack-o'-lantern NERFINISHED ⓘ spook-light ⓘ will-o'-the-wisp NERFINISHED ⓘ
influenced	horror and dark fantasy imagery of luring lights ⓘ modern fantasy literature depictions of ghost lights ⓘ role-playing game creatures called will-o'-wisps ⓘ
interpretedAs	demonic lure ⓘ fairy light ⓘ ghostly manifestation ⓘ
narrativeRole	cautionary symbol against straying from the path ⓘ embodiment of false hope ⓘ trickster guide ⓘ
scientificExplanation	bioluminescence from organisms such as fireflies ⓘ combustion of marsh gases such as methane and phosphine ⓘ optical illusions and misperception of distant lights ⓘ
symbolizes	dangerous curiosity ⓘ deception ⓘ unattainable goals ⓘ
typicalBehavior	appears as a flickering light at night ⓘ leads people into dangerous terrain ⓘ lures travelers off safe paths ⓘ moves away when approached ⓘ
typicalColor	pale blue ⓘ white ⓘ

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

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