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LEPRECHAUN

LEPRECHAUN,character from Irish mythology and folklore.When saying Leprechaun almost everyone thinks of a little elf dressed in green with a pot full of gold,but that isn´t the whole truth... Leprechaun comes from the old Irish "lú chorpain" meaning small body,also related to the Irish "leath bhrógan" meaning shoemaker.The earliest texts about the Leprechaun are from the 8th century and tell about the "luchorpan" as water spirits.Leprechaun is a small elf with the appearance of an old man,dressed in red,wearing a leather apron and a three-cornered hat.Over the years the red costume became green,a clear link to the emerald island.Some say that Leprechaun are descended from the Tuatha of Danann.Leprechaun is mischievous,likes to eat and drink a lot,hides in cellars where food and drink are plentiful and spends his time making shoes.He lives in lonely places and keeps a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.Legend tells that the Danes invaded Ireland and left gold scattered all over the island,the Leprechaun found it and have kept it ever since.If you meet a Leprechaun he will grant you 3 wishes in exchange for letting it go,but he will always trick you...The human's greed to steal the pot of gold will make it easier for the Leprechaun to trick him. Leprechaun teaches us that greed isn´t a good travelling companion,and that who tries to trick him will have no luck...If you hear the sound of a little hammer in the forest this is the Leprechaun,making shoes while he sings and his voice is lost in the trees,go on your way because if you annoy and offend Leprechaun, the little elf will take revenge and you will wish you had not crossed his path...Art by feig_art and George Cruikshank


 
 
 

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