I decided to research brownies in my mythical creatures blog series. I came across this creature in a recent read, and it’s not one I’ve seen much of in shows or in books, so it interested me. You can find my previous blog on my Website: www.catharinasteel.com/blog/ or my substack: https://substack.com/@cathsteel/
Scottish Brownies
The brownie or broonie, also known as brùnaidh or gruagach, emerges after dark to undertake household chores. These tasks can range from tidying the kitchen or splitting logs, to repairing or washing garments. In return, they seek gratitude and a small offering such as a bit of milk with honey, a delightful chocolate bar, or another type of nourishment.
It is said that they rest in a concealed spot during daylight hours—whether within the home or in a nearby glen or forest depends on the individual brownie.
The contemporary depiction of a brownie is small, like a fairy, yet traditionally, they were as big as humans, if not larger. Described as having brown skin and, if clothed, they wear tattered garments, often appearing unkempt.
Should they perceive any disrespect, they will abandon the household, taking their blessings with them. Numerous tales recount how a family’s prosperity dwindled after offending their resident brownie, who vanished into the night, never to be seen again.
Image: Catharina Steel, NightCafé AI
History
Brownies were once seen as domestic guardian sprites, believed to be the spirits of ancestors. However, according to some other legends, they were driven from their lands by a stronger adversary and made a pact to stay in the hidden realm. This agreement compels them to enter the human world and carry out tasks for a specific household. They reluctantly perform these chores, but any perceived offense allows them to leave and be assigned to a new home. If they feel they lack a valid reason to depart, they may cause chaos in the household instead of helping.
Image: Catharina Steel, NightCafé AI
Variants
English Hobs
Hobs are small, mischievous, household spirits from Northern England, the English Midlands, and the Anglo-Scottish border. They are described as appearing similar to the brownie—short, hairy, and ugly. Like the brownie, they can be helpful, but are nuisances if offended. They also live either inside the house or nearby. They are offended if clothes are gifted to them (a variant of this was portrayed in Harry Potter when Harry gives Dobby a sock to free him from servitude.)
They are also known as lobs, hobgoblin, elf, brownie, gremlin, imp, and pixie. Although these creatures have each become known in their own right within the magical world of fantasy!
Image: Catharina Steel, NightCafé AI
Welsh Bwbaches
In Welsh folklore, the Bwbach is a playful yet benevolent hobgoblin that resides in a household, performing tasks in return for cream. They are most commonly associated with the Glamorganshire’s, particularly noted in regions like Ceredigion and Glamorgan.
Image: Catharina Steel, NightCafé AI
Isle of Man, Manx Fenodyrees
The Fenodyree is a legendary being from Manx folklore known for its benevolent nature toward humans. This creature is a type of fairy or ferrishyn, characterized by its hairy body and typically appears unclothed, similar to the brownie, hob, and Bwbach mentioned earlier.
They are often portrayed as large, towering figures—aligning more with the traditional notion of brownies—shaggy, nocturnal beings with glowing eyes and distorted, unattractive features.
These entities are rewarded with food and drink for their assistance. The tasks they undertake are often more demanding, such as moving heavy stones or engaging in agricultural work like harvesting, herding, mowing, reaping, and threshing.
Image: Catharina Steel, NightCafé AI
Italian Lares
In Italy, it is believed that the Lares from ancient Roman tradition were spirits of their ancestors, which resembles the original brownies, acting as domestic guardians.
These entities were believed to safeguard the home, fields, borders, and prosperity—observing, protecting, and influencing all within the boundaries of their location or function.
Their origins are believed to originate from Etruscan mythology where they were called Lasa and were associated with the goddess Turan.
They are considered to be hero-ancestors and are permanently bound to a house in which they lived.
Image: Catharina Steel, NightCafé AI
Hawaiian Menehunes
The Menehune are legendary beings from Hawaiian folklore, depicted as a race of very-small-statured individuals.
According to the tales, they inhabited the Hawaiian Islands long before the Polynesian settlers arrived.
Characterized by their large eyes and soft, humming voices, the Menehune were believed to be remarkably strong and highly skilled artisans with unique abilities. Known for their playful and mischievous nature, they were rumored to have the power to transform onlookers into stone.
Similar to creatures like brownies, hobs, and bwbaches, they were said to emerge only under the cover of night to construct temples, fishponds, roads, canoes, and homes or to engage in farming and fishing.
Images: Catharina Steel, NightCafé AI
Northumbrian Billy Blind
Billy Blind is a mythical fairy and household spirt of Northumbrian folklore and may be a folk memory of the Germanic god Woden or Odin. Billy Blind is said to offer the person he inhabits with help when needed by giving them unusual abilities, while some ballads suggest he simply offers advice.
This is the magical being depicted in the single season TV series “Renegade Nell” (Disney 2024.)
Coming Up Next
Next month I will be researching Merrows as requested by an author friend.
If you want to read the previous post about Unicorns, click here.