What is a pixie?
Pixies are small fairies of the moors of Cornwall and Devon in southwestern England. They are often depicted with red hair, pointed ears and green clothes, and are said to love gathering to dance on moonlit nights. In Cornwall they are also called “piskies.”
Folklore and features
Pixies are basically mischievous, and the best-known example is “pixie-led,” leading travelers astray. If you found yourself going around in circles on a road you should know well, it was thought to be the work of pixies. Wearing your coat inside out was said to break the spell. On the other hand, there are also stories of pixies who help with housework or threshing during the night, and of pixies who happily leave when given clothes as thanks.
Pixies in fantasy
Today the word is also used as a general name for small winged fairies, and pixies appear in many games and films. Cornwall also has the folklore of the spriggan, a fairy that guards treasure.
