The Púca (also spelled Pooka or Pwca, from the Irish word for "spirit" or "ghost") is a prominent figure in Irish and Welsh folklore, known as a mischievous and unpredictable shapeshifting fairy. It is a creature of the wild, rural countryside, often associated with lonely roads and mountain hollows (hence "Hollow Ways") where it appears at night to play tricks on travellers.
Characteristics and Forms
The Púca is an expert shapeshifter, its true form remaining unknown, but it consistently appears with dark fur or features and often glowing eyes. Common forms include:
- A sleek, black horse with a wild, flowing mane and luminescent golden or red eyes.
- Various other animals such as a goat, rabbit, dog, cat, fox, wolf, or eagle.
- A human with animalistic features like large ears or a tail.
It possesses the power of human speech and can communicate with people, sometimes offering cryptic advice or prophecies.
Behaviour and Interactions
The nature of the Púca is a duality; it can be benevolent or malevolent, a bringer of good or bad fortune, depending on its mood and how it is treated.
- Mischief and Mayhem: The Púca is most famous for luring unsuspecting, often inebriated, travellers onto its back in its horse form. It then takes them on a terrifying, "hair-raising" ride through the countryside, across hedges and ditches, before dumping them back at their starting point (or an unfamiliar location) by dawn, disheveled but typically unharmed. It also enjoys destroying crops and breaking fences.
- Benevolence: In some tales, the Púca can be helpful. Farmers might leave a small portion of their harvest, known as the "Púca's share," in the fields to placate the spirit and ensure it does not spoil the rest of the crops. If treated with respect, it might perform helpful tasks or offer warnings of future events.
The Púca is strongly associated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (Halloween), the time when the veil between the living and spirit worlds is thinnest. November 1st is considered the Púca's day, the one time of the year it might be expected to behave civilly. After this date, wild berries are considered inedible because the Púca is said to have spit or defecated on them.
The creature has inspired modern culture, notably the six-foot-tall invisible rabbit "Harvey" from the 1950 film of the same name.