There are a lot of common misconceptions about Goblins, these days. Most get their idea of Goblins from J.R.R. Tolkiens "HOBBIT"/"LORD OF THE RINGS" stories, or from other inaccurate depictions such as "the SPIDERWICK chronicles". While these may be good entertaining stories, they are far from accurate in their depictions of Goblins. (First of all Goblins are NOT Orcs, and Vice-versa, nor are they DEMONS, as they are so often portrayed these days.)
Let's begin with the Hobgoblin:
Hobgoblins (hairy, good-natured, but sensitive house faeries that turn into nasty Boggarts if they are slighted, they are associated with farms and particularly dairies)
Now the Brownie:
Brownies (house faeries that do odd jobs about a house and farm, cleaning, tidying up, or helping with the brewing; usually go naked, dress in rags, or wear a brown hood and mantle; an offer of clothes will cause them to leave; if offended, they turn into Boggarts)
In reality, the Brownie and the Hobgoblin are essentialy the same creature, The Brownie is the Scotish equivilant of the English Hobgoblin. Notice that in either case, they are "sensitive" "good natured" beings but when teased, slighted, critisized, or provoked they will indeed turn into what is called a BOGGART. The Boggart is as follows:
Boggarts (dark and hairy, , Or as squat short stocky dwarf-like beings, they, at times, appear as an omen of death; they are house faeries turned "evil" or "Bad") once turned they become a nuisance, surly, unpredictable, mean and are very dificult to placate. In some cases a simple apology is all that is needed to return a Boggart to the friendly house Goblin he was before the offence, other times simple understanding and acts of kindess will bring them back to theri origional state. In other cases it may take MUCH more to bring them round. And in still other cases nothing can be done to pacify them. In this instace they will become a full time Boggart. The only thing one can do is move from their old home to a new one. But even then the Boggart may follow the family to their new residence.
Other species of Boggarts:
Bogles (a kind of goblin that sometimes cannot be seen but causes a sense of dread; they perform evil deeds, but only at the expense of liars and murderers)
Buggars (dangerous shapeshifting goblins)
Bogans (a type of Hobgoblin that is very fond of tricks)
Dobies (house Goblins fond of helping workmen at their tasks; unfortunately, they are so stupid they are more a hindrance than helpful)
Goblins (includes not only the ugly and unpleasant Bogeys, Boggarts, Bogles and "Ghouls", but also groups of faeries that live underground in churchyards, clefts of rock, or roots of ancient trees that are seen on Samhain and tempt humans to eat faerie food.
Not all Boggarts/Goblins are inherently evil, though, Such as this fellow:
Every manor house had its ùruisg,(House Goblin, Brownie, Boggart or Hobgoblin) and in the kitchen, close by the fire was a seat, which was left unoccupied for him. The house of a proprietor on the banks of the River Tay was even at the beginning of the twentieth century believed to have been haunted by this sprite, and a particular apartment therein has been for centuries called "Seòmar Bhrùnaidh" (Brownie’s room). When irritated through neglect or disrespectful treatment he would not hesitate to become wantonly mischievous. He was notwithstanding, rather gainly and good-natured rather than formidable. Though, on the whole, a lazy, lounging hobgoblin, he would often bestir himself on behalf of those who understood his humours, and suited themselves thereto. When in this mood, he was known to perform many arduous exploits in kitchen, barn and stable, with marvellous precision and rapidity. These kind turns were done without bribe, fee or reward, for the offer of any one of these would banish him forever. Kind treatment was all he ever wished for, and it never failed to procure his favour.
While some Boggarts do only evil, some will be helpful, as well. But will always be up to some form of trickery or pranks. Some harmless and good natured, others harmful, malicious and injurious.
Let's hope this all sheds a bit more light on the reality of the true folklore behind Goblins, and the myths can now begin to be dispelled.


GoblinGrim.



depiction of a brownie
goblinsA Boggart.