Will-o'the-Wisp.............jack-o'-lantern.............Ignis Fatuus
The above titles all describe, the strange pale Green/Blue, seldom seen light hovering above....
....areas of Marshes and Swamps. Though rarely seen in the UK today, due to most of this country's marshes having been drained for agricultural and farming use.
Our ancestors who worshiped water, lakes or any body of
water within the landscape, must have been mesmerized by the
appearance of Ignis fatuus, rising from any waterlogged landscape, is it any wonder folklore, myth and legend, slowly evolved over thousands of Years.
In British folklore it's claimed if you look upon the Will-o'the-Wisp
light, the person looking at it, is compelled to
follow the light to a DOOMED END. Hence the meaning;
IGNIS FATUUS Medieval Latin translates to; foolish~fire.
The above titles all describe, the strange pale Green/Blue, seldom seen light hovering above....
....areas of Marshes and Swamps. Though rarely seen in the UK today, due to most of this country's marshes having been drained for agricultural and farming use.
 |
| Will-o'the-wisp. (Artists impression) © B.Arrowsuch |
water within the landscape, must have been mesmerized by the
appearance of Ignis fatuus, rising from any waterlogged landscape, is it any wonder folklore, myth and legend, slowly evolved over thousands of Years.
In British folklore it's claimed if you look upon the Will-o'the-Wisp
light, the person looking at it, is compelled to
follow the light to a DOOMED END. Hence the meaning;
IGNIS FATUUS Medieval Latin translates to; foolish~fire.
 |
| Will-o'the-wisp. (Artists impression) © B.Arrowsuch |
decaying vegetation, containing phosphine and or diphosphane, spontaneously ignites on contact with Oxygen (air), as the gas emanates from swamp,marsh or bog.
But exactly how and why is still a Worldwide mystery.
See here for a 1893 article;http://www.forgottenbooks.com
All across the world, the common name for these spooky, lights
has emerged in each country, as follows;
The West Country: Jacky Lantern, Jack-a-Lantern
Cornwall & Somerset: Joan the Wad
Somerset & Devon: Hinky Punk
Warwickshire & Gloucestershire: Hobbedy's Lantern
Northumberland & North Yorkshire : Jenny with the Lantern
Hertfordshire & East Anglia: The Hobby Lantern
Wales: Pwca, Ellylldan
Lancashire: Peg-a-Lantern
East Anglia: The Lantern Man
Shropshire: Will the Smith
Worcestershire: Pinket
Lowland Scotland: Spunkies
Norfolk: Will o' the Wikes
Where can you see Will-o'the-Wisp in the UK today.
There have been sightings in the peak District, Bleaklow, shining clough, Longdendale, Dovedale.
Take a camera, and learn night time photography.
Good luck, but......Don't follow the light!!!.
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But exactly how and why is still a Worldwide mystery.
See here for a 1893 article;http://www.forgottenbooks.com
All across the world, the common name for these spooky, lights
has emerged in each country, as follows;
- UK> Will-o'the-Wisp.
- USA>Spook lights.
- Ireland>Ferbane.
- Norway> Hessdalen_light.
- Sweden>Martebo lights
- Canada; Saskatchewan> St.Louis light.
- Australia>Min Min light.
UK regional names
The West Country: Jacky Lantern, Jack-a-Lantern
Cornwall & Somerset: Joan the Wad
Somerset & Devon: Hinky Punk
Warwickshire & Gloucestershire: Hobbedy's Lantern
Northumberland & North Yorkshire : Jenny with the Lantern
Hertfordshire & East Anglia: The Hobby Lantern
Wales: Pwca, Ellylldan
Lancashire: Peg-a-Lantern
East Anglia: The Lantern Man
Shropshire: Will the Smith
Worcestershire: Pinket
Lowland Scotland: Spunkies
Norfolk: Will o' the Wikes
There have been sightings in the peak District, Bleaklow, shining clough, Longdendale, Dovedale.
Take a camera, and learn night time photography.
Good luck, but......Don't follow the light!!!.
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