View source for Coblyn

{{More sources|date=May 2025}}{{Short description|Mythical gnome-like creature}}
A '''coblyn''' (plural '''coblynau'''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oxfordreference.com/display/10.1093/oi/authority.20110803095620632|title="coblynau" in A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, OUP}}</ref>) is a mythical [[gnome]]-like creature that is said to haunt the mines and quarries of [[Wales]] and areas of [[Welsh_people#Welsh_emigration|Welsh settlements in America]].<ref>{{Cite book|title=Chasing American Monsters|last=Offut|first=Jason|publisher=Llewellyn Publications|year=2019|isbn=978-0-7387-5995-1|location=Woodbury, Minnesota}}</ref>

== Description ==
{{Unsourced section|date=May 2025}}
Like the [[Knocker (folklore)|Knockers]] of [[Cornish folklore]], they often help miners to the richest veins of ore or other treasures by their peculiar knocking sound. They appear dressed in miniature mining outfits, work constantly but never finish their task. They are said to be half a yard (1.5&nbsp;ft) tall, very ugly, but often friendly and helpful.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

== Word origin ==
The word ''Coblynau'' is related to the [[English language|English]] word ''[[Goblin]],'' and may derive from a [[Germanic languages|Germanic]] source akin to the German ''[[Kobold]]'', via the [[French language|French]] ''Gobelin''.<ref>Franklin, Anna (2002). "Goblin", The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Fairies. London: Paper Tiger. {{ISBN|1-84340-240-8}}. p. 108</ref><ref>The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English</ref>

== Appearances in media ==
{{Unsourced section|date=May 2025}}
Coblynau are mentioned in the ''[[Constantine (TV series)|Constantine]]'' episode "The Darkness Beneath", but the description of the creatures given is closer to knockers.{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}}

==See also==
* [[Bluecap]]
* [[Gnome]]
* [[Knocker (folklore)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Fairies}}

[[Category:Welsh legendary creatures]]
[[Category:Welsh folklore]]
[[Category:Mining in Wales]]
[[Category:Legendary gnomes]]
[[Category:Mining spirits]]
[[Category:Earth spirits]]

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[[Category:Gnomes]]