Goblins certainly belong to the uglier inhabitants of the fantasy (or fairy) realm. They are commonly known to be small and dark-skinned and all together have an ill-natured appearence. But I suppose that there really are too many images of these funny beasts. One can consequently categorise and subcategorise them into so many different breeds (obviously because of their assorted origins - among other things!). I don‘t actually know why but I have always pictured them as having greenish skin going over to black, comparatively large faces, wide mouths with no real lips and grotesquely pointed, knobbly ears. The god who gave birth to these beings, obviously wasn't thinking clearly while giving them form: no harmonising proportion, no clarity to structure - no good! Just in order to reflect their bestial nature, Goblins were given the ability to materialise in the shape of animals.

They are definately known to be villainous creatures for they steal and are thought to be companions of the dead. One could also say that they are "tempters": they use forbidden fruits to lure innocence to it's doom. Here's poem from the "Goblin Market" by Christina Giorgina Rossetti:

We must not look at goblin men,
We must not buy their fruits;
Who knows upon what soil they fed,
Their hungry thirsty roots?

As I have already mentioned above, these creatures have many origins. They especially seem very widely spread through Europe. The so-called German "Kobolds" are cousins to the "Knockers" who dwell in Cornish and Devon tin mines. The latter have their name because of the fact that they continuously make knocking noises in the mines to indicate veins of ore. They are said to be friendly towards miners although their main hobby and prized sport is to make mischief whenever possible. This includes making obscene grimaces with their already ugly faces and performing absurd dances. The Welsh relative to the Knocker is the Coblynau (Koblernigh).

While these Knockers seem generally "non-toxic" and tame, even to be unexpectedly helpful towards man, there are Goblins who guard their mines even at the price of death if needs be (death meant for intruders of course!).

The "Wichtlein" (from Southern Germany) announce the death of a miner by tapping three times.

"Bogles" are evil Goblins although they are more likely to do harm to murderers and liars - which gives them the right to be!

But I must warn you about the "Phooka" - from Ireland. Never accept a ride offered to you by this seemingly innocent, shaggy pony - the next thing you know (after you‘ve been taken for a terrifyingly wild ride) you've been ungracefully deposited into the mire as this strange creature gallops away chuckling madly to himself.(Phooka can also appear in the form of a dog, bull or even eagle - so be wary!)

My, My! they are certainly widely spread aren't they? Nobody can really find a true, purposeful, general meaning for them. They don't have a real function for fantasy, other than that of causing continuous difficulties and devilries. But maybe it's just this that makes them so indispensable to story-telling - they are always playing the role of the rodents of the mountains or earth's lively excrements, hiding away in deep caverns, plotting their next bit of "fun". It's really thanks to them that we have a good reason to laugh or to worry!

Here's what Tolkien has to say about them...

"Those creatures that men now name Goblins are dwellers in darkness who were spawned for evil purposes. In earlier days they were called Orcs. Black-blooded, red-eyed and hateful in nature, though they are now reduced to beings committed to minor deeds of mischief, they were once a race bent on terrible tyranny... Orcs are sometimes called Great Goblins, or Hobgoblins... a goblin race of slaves who were as loathsome as Elves were fair..." (Source: Tolkien "The Illustrated Encyclopaedia")

Another good source that I would dearly recommend - if you happen to want to know more about these and other creatures - is the book "Faeries" by Brian Froud and Alan Lee, with exquisite pictures to compliment and support wonderful explanations.

If you would like to see more of my images of goblins then please click on the "Image Gallery" link in the navbar.