Sprite (creature)
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The term sprite is a broad term referring to a number of preternatural legendary creatures. The term is generally used in reference to elf-like creatures, including fairies, and similar beings (although not earth beings),[1] but can also signify various spiritual beings, including ghosts.
The word "sprite" is derived from the Latin "spiritus" (spirit). Variations on the term include "spright" (the origin of the adjective "sprightly", meaning "spirited" or "lively") and the Celtic "spriggan". The term is chiefly used in regard to elves and fairies in European folklore, and in modern English is rarely used in reference to spirits or other mythical creatures. Sprites can also be lightning strikes and problems involving electricity.
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[edit] Belief in sprites
The belief in diminutive beings such as sprites, elves, fairies, pixies, gnomes, Japanese yōkai, the Spanish and Latin-American duende and various Slavic fairies has been common in many parts of the world, and might to some extent still be found within neo-spiritual and religious movements such as "druidism" and Ásatrú. The belief in spiritual beings, particularly ghosts, is almost universal to human culture.
In some elemental magics, the sprite is oft believed to be the elemental of air (see also Sylph). Another variation is the water sprite.
[edit] In popular culture
Sprites have appeared many times in works of culture:
- Some of William Shakespeare's works include sprite characters, for example Ariel from The Tempest and Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream.
- In the animated film Fantasia 2000, there is a segment based on Igor Stravinsky's ballet The Firebird, about a spring sprite and her elk companion bringing the spring season to life.
- In the farm simulation video game Harvest Moon, it is possible to have up to seven sprites help around the farm.
- In the 1990s video game Commander Keen IV, sprites are underwater enemies.
- In Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl series, sprites are one of the eight fairy families.
- In the Game Boy Advance game "Golden Sun" a player collects sprites to increase his or her magical power.
- In R. A. Salvatore's book Sojourn a sprite is an enemy of Drizzt Do'Urden and an ally of a barghest.
- In the Game Boy Advance game Riviera: The Promised Land sprites are inhabitants of Riviera.
- In The Heroes of Might and Magic series of computer games, Sprites are the weakest troops available to the Sorceress class.
- The children's television show Johnny and the Sprites, as the name implies, is focused on the lives of several puppet sprites.
- In the 1993 SNES game Secret of Mana, the Sprite is one of the three playable characters, specializing in attack magic.
- In the Rainbow Brite cartoon series, sprites populate Rainbow Land as helpers of Rainbow Brite and the color Kids. They dig out Color Crystals in the Color Cave and even make them in their factory. Twink is the leader of the sprites and is Rainbow Brite's partner.
- In the Aisling Grey, Guardian novels by Katie MacAlister, the demon sixth class Jim (Effrijim) who appears in Newfoundland dog form is a former sprite who was evicted from Heaven (and later, from Abaddon).
- Sprites are one of the marauding party units in the 1998 Sierra Entertainment turn-based stategy game "Lords of Magic".
[edit] References
- ^ Briggs, Katherine M. (1976). A Dictionary of Fairies. Harmondsworth, Middlesex: Penguin. p. 381. ISBN 0-14-00-4753-0.
