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Joan the Wad is amythological character inCornish folklore. She is the Queen of thePixies, which are tiny mythical creatures usually associated with the counties ofCornwall andDevon in England.[1]
Wad is an Eastern Cornwall colloquial term fortorch or bundle of straw.[1][2][3]
Joan the Wad has been associated withJack o' the Lantern, the King of the Pixies.[1] The two may also be consideredwill-o'-the-wisp type characters who lead travellers astray on lonely moors, hence the rhyme:[2][4][5]
However, Joan is also thought to use her Wad (Torch) to light the way to safety and good luck, as another rhyme says, "Good fortune will nod, if you carry upon you Joan the Wad".[1][5]
Joan the Wad is often depicted naked and associated with fire and water elements.[1] In the last century, there was a thrivingcottage industry in Joan the Wad lucky charms.[1] People carried small figures of Joan the Wad forgood luck: a small collection of such antique figures is housed at theMuseum of Witchcraft inBoscastle.[6] Her image also appears on door knockers to serve as a protective spirit.[1]
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