“The Will-o’-the-Wisps are in a lot of Scottish folktales. When I spoke with “Brave” director Mark Andrews, he had his own interpretation of the intriguing phenomena:

The light was first known, and still also is, as ignis fatuus, which in Latin literally means “foolish fire.” Eventually, the name will-o’-the-wisp was extended to any impractical or unattainable goal.” What is Brave based on? One 18th-century fairy tale described Will as one “who bears the wispy fire to trail the swains among the mire.” In olden days, it was personified as “Will with the wisp,” a sprite who carried a fleeting “ wisp ” of light.įoolish travelers were said to try to follow the light and were then led astray into the marsh. “ The will-o’-the-wisp is a flame like phosphorescence light phenomenon caused by gases from decaying plants in marshy areas. So what are they really, what’s a wisp? According to Merriam-Webster, Travelers-particularly those who venture out after sunset on unfamiliar pathways-beware of the will o’ the wisps. The bright light in Brave seemed so alive, I think if they crossed my path I might be tempted to follow them too – if I could find the courage. Need creative ways to entertain and educate your kids? We lots of free printable activities here!

Scotland is full of legend and folklore and it is said that Will-o’-the-Wisp meaning is either mischievous spirits of the dead, or spirits such as fairies, which lead travelers off the beaten path. If you came here searching for more information on whisp or wisp, whisps, willow the wisp, will of the wisps, or willow of the wisp, you came to the right place.įirst off, the correct spelling and name of these mystical creatures are Will-o’-the-Wisps. What are other names for Will O the Wisp?

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