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Water Sprites
A water sprite (also called a
water fairy or water faery) is a general term for a legendary creature, an
elemental spirit associated with water, according to alchemist Paracelsus. Water
sprites are said to be able to breathe water or air and are mostly harmless
unless threatened.
These creatures exist in mythology of various peoples. Ancient Greeks knew water
nymphs in several types such as naiads or nyads, which guarded the fresh water
bodies for the gods, while Slavic mythology knows them as vilas.
In elemental classifications, water sprite should not be confused with other
water creatures considered to be "corporeal beings" such as selkies and
mermaids.
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