Talk:Kelpie
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[edit] "Kelpie" = Internet nuisance?
A "Kelpie" is also used in certain internet subcultures as a reference to a childish or immature person who harrasses people in online communities, forums and messageboards. See also internet troll
Citation? Tearlach 12:02, 12 July 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Revision due to possible copyvio
I should have guessed from the archaic phraseology that the main section came from somewhere. Here: the Kelpie page at www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk. I've rephrased and trimmed in case of copyvio. Other sources disagree with the specific about kelpies only being associated with rivers. Tearlach 18:51, 12 July 2005 (UTC)
[edit] Kelpie/Each Uisge
Suggested they are merged as the same thing, the saltwater, freshwater distinction made below is not found in the books I know. 138.251.202.128 17:54, 28 July 2006 (UTC)
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- Another distinction that is often made is that the each uisge inhabits the sea and lochs, whereas the kelpie inhabits running water (streams, rivers). Whichever version you go for, they are most definately two different creatures, so I do not feel a merge would be appropriate. Lianachan 22:50, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
The Kelpie and Each Uisge are quite different supernatural beasts. To grossly over simplify - the Kelpie is associated with fresh water, and the Each Uisge is associated with salt water. Lianachan 14:15, 1 December 2005 (UTC)
Further to that, I'd like to add that not only are the Each Uisge and Kelpie distinct, they were only a couple of examples (albeit probably the best known) from an impressive selection of aquatic supernatural beasts - including little discussed ones like the Tarbh Uisge (Water Bull) and an impressive selection of malevolent female water sprirts. I expect this aspect of Scottish folklore stems from the considerable spiritual and ritual significance which our ancient Celtic ancestors here assigned to water - votive offerings left in lochs, the fine Pictish tradition of execution by drowning, etc... I think it's likely that the folklore is kind of shadow on our subconscious, a folk memory. Has this theme been explored anywhere? Lianachan 15:07, 1 December 2005 (UTC)
- Note also the Pictish Beast and Loch Ness Monster (at least the water beast in the Vita Columbae). It is noticable that in the Gaelic world the Each Uisge is associated with Scotland, and that similar beasts are prevalent in both Lowland Scots and Northern Isles tradition, but rare in English or Norse tradition. I think we've got a central feature of Pictish mythology here. Note also that this is entirely natural, as Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor said, Scotland (north of the forth) is a land of lakes. The unbelievably huge number of lakes in Scotland has obviously shaped Scotland's ancient myths. Calgacus (ΚΑΛΓΑΚΟΣ) 23:15, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
- Ahh, but those lakes would be lochs ;-) But yes, I agree entirely. Lianachan 00:19, 14 August 2006 (UTC)
[edit] re-titling this page
I propose retitling this page to complement a re-title of the Australian Kelpie page. The rationale is that the Kelpie is unique to Australia (no matter how many countries now have them), thus the title "Australian Kelpie" is tautology. And in any case, there exists the possibility that there may be an Australian water spirit which grabs people and drowns them. Oops -- that just may be a bunyip...
I understand there will always be a conflict between the water spirit described here and the uniquely Australian sheep-dog, however I believe that some shrewd disambiguation can lead to either the "Kelpie_water-spirit" or the "Kelpie_dog". Gordon | Talk, 23 April 2006 @08:42 UTC
[edit] New Heading
I have added the heading History and Mythology so the contents isnt towards the bottom of the page. If someone can think of a better structure/organisation feel free to change, but the top text before the first heading should be one or two sentences. Not the majority of the article. skorpion 05:34, 1 June 2006 (UTC)
