Cornish Pixie (2024)

FAQs

What is the Cornish word for pixie? ›

The Cornish name piskie was metathesized in Somerset and Devon to pixie and pigsie. Cornish and west of England fairy who haunts hills, rivers, and groves, misleading lonely travellers, thus giving us the English word 'pixilated'.

Pixies were the underground spirits of the Cornish tin mines. Also known as good luck knockers or spriggans, they were generally described as small, capricious little creatures that were often spiteful.

A Cornish Pixie is a mischievous, ill-behaved creature that causes serious amounts of damage when not restrained, known for wreaking havoc in professor lockharts classroom during Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets.

A pixie (also called pisky, pixy, pixi, pizkie, piskie, or pigsie in parts of Cornwall and Devon) is a mythical creature of British folklore.

variants or less commonly pixy. : playfully mischievous.

Today a pixie is more or less the same as a fairy or sprite, but older folktales describe conflicts (and even wars) between these groups. The root of the word pixie is a mystery — it may be related to the Swedish dialect pyske, "small fairy," but it's probably rooted in an unknown Celtic word.

Like sprites and other different types of English faeries, pixies are often considered mischievous, but not overtly malevolent creatures of nature. Their most commonly depicted image is a wingless and pointy-eared fairy-esque creature dressed in green.

The Cornish Pixies were a fairy tribe in Cornwall that were said to have been helpful yet mischievous and were often blamed for leading travellers astray. There are many tales of their origins, such as being wandering pagan souls stuck in limbo or even the un-Christened souls of babies.

Pixies are usually harmless, merely mischievous. They love to dance and socialise, mirroring the Cornish plen-an-gwary and Breton Fest Noz celebrations that date way back to medieval times.

Electric blue, flying creatures, pixies are known for their mischievous natures and delight in playing pranks and causing havoc.

Where do Cornish Pixies live? ›

The majority of pixies live in the high moorland areas around Devon and Cornwall. Furthermore, pixies are believed to inhabit ancient underground ancestor sites such as stone circles, barrows, and ringforts.

A piskie (or pixie or pisky) is a type of mischievous fairy with pointed ears and a haircut like Jean Seberg's in Breathless (just kidding). Cornish piskies are piskies from Cornwall, England and have become a popular emblem of the region.

Piskeys, Night-riders and Jack 'o' Lanterns: Fairies in Cornish folklore.

Pixies are often described to be smaller than fairies. They have pointed ears. Pixies are said to have more magical powers such as bestowing wealth, kindness and intelligence. Pixies in folklore are often naked or poorly dressed, but in modern portrayals they often wear a green outfits and pointy hats.

All fairies/pixies/elves are mythical 'races', with both male and female members.

The origin of the word pixie is a matter of debate. Some believe that the word comes from pisgy, an Old English word for fairy. Others speculate that it is a Celtic word with unknown etymology. The origin of pixies themselves as a separate entity from fairies, elves, and other similar creatures is also unknown.

The name Pixie derives from the Irish word piseog, meaning fairy or magical creature. Its origins can be traced back to ancient Celtic mythology, where it was believed that Pixies were mischievous supernatural beings that resided in forests and enchanted landscapes.

Maid – the name given to a Cornish female, a positive greeting. My lover / Me Lover – An affectionate greeting that can be used for men and women, not romantic in any way - similar to how 'my dear' is used. Example: “thanks for popping round my lover”. Proper - Satisfactory. Example: “proper job”