Entity: WILL-OF-THE-WISPS
Will-o'-the-wisps are mysterious lights often seen in marshy areas, associated with folklore and spirits.
WILL-O'-THE-WISPS
Etymology
The term 'will-o'-the-wisp' originates from the olden days when it was personified as 'Will with the wisp,' a sprite carrying a fleeting light.
Definition
Will-o'-the-wisps are flame-like phosphorescent lights caused by gases from decaying plants in marshy areas. They are also used metaphorically to refer to something or someone that is elusive or impossible to catch.
Historical Context
In folklore, will-o'-the-wisps are often attributed to ghosts, fairies, or elemental spirits meant to reveal or conceal a path or direction. They are portrayed as dancing lights that fade when approached.
Cultural Significance
Will-o'-the-wisps hold cultural significance as mysterious and mystical phenomena, often associated with supernatural beings and the spirit world.
Related Concepts
Other similar concepts include ignis fatuus, ghost lights, and fairy lights, all of which are mysterious lights or phenomena with supernatural connotations.
See Also
A mysterious light or phenomenon that appears in marshy areas, often attributed to folklore or spirits.