 Goblin illustration byJohn D. Batten from "English Fairy Tales" (19th century) | |
| Creature information | |
|---|---|
| Grouping | Diminutive spirit |
| Similar entities | Fairies,demons,brownies,dwarfs,elves,gnomes,imps, andkobolds. |
Agoblin is a diminutive,grotesque, and often malevolent humanoid creature prominent inEuropean folklore, typically characterized by itsmischievous ordemonic nature, small stature (around 30 cm in some traditions), furry or leathery appearance, and ability toshapeshift. Goblins are believed to dwell in subterranean areas or households, where they engage in acts ranging from pranks to murder.[1][2] Theiretymology derives from Old Frenchgobelin (late 12th century), possibly linked toMedieval Latingobelinus orGreekkobalos (meaning rogue orsprite), though some scholars trace it to earlier domestic protector spirits like the Germanickobold, which were later demonized under Christian influence.[3][4]
Similar creatures includebrownies,dwarves,duendes,gnomes,imps,leprechauns, and kobolds, but it is also commonly used as a blanket term for all small,fay creatures.[2] The term is sometimes expanded to include goblin-like creatures of other cultures, such as thepukwudgie,dokkaebi, orifrit.[2]
The term "goblin" entered English in the early 14th century, derived from theAnglo-Norman Frenchgobelin orOld Frenchgobelin,[5] which was first attested in 1195 in the chronicleL'Estoire de la guerre sainte by the Norman monkAmbroise, where it described a treacherous figure. This French form traces back toMedieval Latingobelinus, appearing around 1140 inOrderic Vitalis'sHistoria ecclesiastica, referring to a demon expelled from a church inÉvreux.[3][6][7][8] Scholars propose possible etymological connections to earlier languages, includingAncient Greekkóbalos, meaning "rogue" or "mischievous sprite", which may have influenced post-classical Latin forms likecobalus denoting a demon.[3][7] Additionally, links have been suggested to Germanickobold, a household spirit, potentially fromOld High German elements meaning "room protector", though the precise relationship remains uncertain.[3][9][10] Alternatively, it may be a diminutive or other derivative of the Frenchproper nameGobel, more oftenGobeau.[5][6]
Historical spellings of the term includegobelin (Old andMiddle French),gobelinus (Medieval Latin),gobellin (Middle French, by 1506), andMiddle English variants such asgobelyn around 1330.[3] The adoption of "goblin" in early English literature was shaped by Norman folklore, where the term evoked domestic sprites or imps, as seen inPicard Frenchgoguelin for spirits haunting remote rooms, influencing its integration into medieval English texts likeWycliffe's Bible (late 14th century).[3][6]
TheWelshcoblyn, a type ofknocker, derives from the Old Frenchgobelin via the Englishgoblin.[11]
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InEnglish andScottish folklore, goblins often appear asbrownies, benevolent household spirits that perform domestic chores such as threshing grain, churning butter, or tending livestock during the night, provided they receive a small offering like porridge or milk left by the hearth. These creatures, typically depicted as small, shaggy-haired males dressed in ragged clothing, embody a symbiotic relationship with human households but are quick to abandon or turn mischievous if offered gifts of clothing or if their labor is criticized. In contrast,boggarts fromYorkshire traditions represent a more malevolent variant, functioning as vengeful familial spirits that attach to specific houses or farms, shapeshifting into animals or objects to perpetrate pranks, illness, or calamity upon those who slight them, often requiring rituals like relocation to appease their wrath.
Welsh folklore features thepúca as a solitary trickster goblin, akin to a puckish sprite that misleads nighttime wanderers along paths or into bogs, sometimes assuming animal forms like a goat or horse to amplify the deception, though it may also assist those who show respect by leaving offerings. InIrish mythology, theclurichaun appears as a goblin-like fairy with an affinity for alcohol, haunting cellars and breweries where it pilfers liquor, rides barrels like horses, and unleashes drunken fury on distillers who disturb its revels.
French and Norman traditions portraylutins as impish goblins that frolic in stables, knotting horses' manes intofairy-locks for sport or covertly aiding with nighttime labors, their dual temperament shifting from playful to petty depending on human hospitality. The region of Évreux in northern France holds particular significance as a historical hub of goblin lore, where the 12th-century Orderic Vitalis describes the demon Gobelinus, a prototype for later goblin figures, haunting pagan sites and temples, expelled only through saintly intervention.
Prominent narratives in European goblin traditions include tales of fairy markets from folklore, where spectral merchants peddle illusory fruits and wares to ensnare the unwary, symbolizing temptation and otherworldly commerce in rural traditions, later popularized in literature such asChristina Rossetti'sGoblin Market (1862).Redcap legends fromAnglo-Scottish border lore depict these ferocious goblins as squat, iron-shod murderers dwelling in forsaken border towers, who slay wayfarers with their pikestaffs and soak their knitted caps in the spilled blood to maintain their vivid hue, fleeing only from consecrated objects or swift escapees.
Korean folklore features thedokkaebi, horned tricksters animated from discarded household tools like brooms or rice bowls through spiritual possession, wielding magical clubs (bangmangi) to enforce games or punishments on humans. Unlike purely malevolent entities, dokkaebi often reward clever individuals with treasures after riddles or wrestling matches.[2]
Among African cultures, theZulutokoloshe embodies an evil sprite summoned bysangomas to inflict misfortune, illness, or nocturnal terror, particularly on children whom it scratches or devours. This hairy, diminutive water spirit, capable of invisibility and shape-shifting, is warded off by elevating beds on bricks to exploit its short stature.
In Egyptian and broader Middle Eastern lore, certainjinn exhibit goblin-like prankster qualities, such as misplacing items, mimicking voices to deceive travelers, or creating illusory disturbances in homes. These shape-shifting spirits are invisible to humans unless they choose otherwise.[12]
Indigenous American traditions include theWampanoagpukwudgie,porcupine-quilled tricksters who wield poison arrows to mislead or injure humans in forested areas, originally benevolent guides turned vengeful after perceived slights by the Creator. These knee-high, gray-skinned beings use illusions to lure victims off paths.
InJ. R. R. Tolkien'sThe Hobbit the evil creatures living in the Misty Mountains are referred to as goblins. InThe Lord of the Rings, the same creatures are primarily referred to asorcs where the goblin name was used for the lesser orcs.
Goblinoids are a category ofhumanoidlegendary creatures related to the goblin. The term was popularized in theDungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game,[17] in which goblins and related creatures are a staple ofrandom encounters. Goblinoids are typicallybarbaric foes of the various human and "demi-human"races. Even though goblinoids in modern fantasy fiction are derived fromJ. R. R. Tolkien'sorcs, the main types of goblinoids inDungeons & Dragons aregoblins,bugbears andhobgoblins; these creatures are also figures of mythology, next to ordinary goblins.
In theHarry Potter book series andthe shared universe in whichits film adaptations are set, goblins are depicted as strange, but civilised, humanoids who often serve as bankers or craftsmen.
InTerry Pratchett'sDiscworld series, goblins are initially a despised and shunned subterranean race; however, in later books, goblins are eventually integrated with the other races, and their mechanical and engineering talents come to be valued.
TheGreen Goblin is a well-knownsupervillain, one of the archenemies ofSpider-Man, who has various abilities including enhanced stamina, durability, agility, reflexes and superhuman strength due to ingesting a substance known as the "Goblin Formula". He has appeared in variousSpider-Man related media, such as comics, television series, video games, and films, includingSpider-Man (2002) andSpider-Man: No Way Home (2021) asNorman Osborn, andSpider-Man 3 (2007) andThe Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) asHarry Osborn. There have been other goblin-related characters likeHobgoblin,Grey Goblin, andMenace.
In the video game seriesElder Scrolls, goblins are a hostile beast race said to originate from Summerset Isle, can range in size from being smaller than a Wood Elf to being larger than a Nord and love living in dank places such as caves and sewers.
In early English translations,The Smurfs were called goblins.[18]
TheMcDonald's Fry Guys were called Gobblins in earlierMcDonaldland advertisements.
TheGoosebumps franchise had aGoosebumps House of Shivers book calledGoblin Monday which featured the goblins. They are depicted as short creatures with green fur, horns, pointy ears and cat-like eyes who assume human form to trick humans. In addition, the goblins can't deal with nutmeg as it is their only weakness.
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