I am currently reading The Golem and the Jinni – a wonderful book I would recommend if you like fantasy fiction. I have not come across a golem before so did a little research.
I am sure most of us will think of Gollum, the Lord of the Rings character. However, a golem is a different kind of creature all together.
Firstly, the spelling is different, but also the creature itself comes from Jewish folklore. It is an animated anthropomorphic being created entirely from inanimate matter (usually clay or mud). In the Psalms and medieval writings, the word golem was used as a term for an amorphous, unformed material.
As I have always been fascinated in folklore, fairy tales and mystical creatures, I was surprised I had not come across this particular creature before. So it has been added to my collection of great creatures and myths.
I have a couple of books I treasure, which include wonderful creatures. One is Gnomes and the other Fairies.
There are many creatures that can be helpful or harmful to gnomes & fairies, one is a Snotgurgle. Even the name conjures up an image! Yes, he is a nasty beastie.
Do you have a folklore character you would like to share?
Have you discovered a previously unknown fantasy character in a book?
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 