Phouka (or Puca)
Phouka (or Puca)
The Irish form of a European field spirit, the kornböcke, one of various kinds of animal fairies. The phouka would appear as a goat, a pig, or, most frequently, as a horse. It would lure its victims to mount it, then take them for a wild ride and throw them off. It is possible that the word puca is related to Puck, another mischievous fairy figure.
Sources:
Arrowsmith, Nancy, and George Moorse. A Field Guide to the Little People. New York: Wallaby Books, 1977.
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Phouka (or Puca)