Dokkaebi

[A Dokkaebi (도깨비) is a mischievous, supernatural spirit or goblin in traditional Korean folklore that originates from the animistic spiritual energy absorbed by old, discarded, or blood-stained household objects like brooms and pestles. Distinct from the ghosts of deceased humans (Gwishin), Dokkaebi are morally complex tricksters who possess grotesque features and magic powers—using artifacts like a fortune-summoning club (Dokkaebi Bangmangi) or an invisibility hat (Dokkaebi Gamtu) to reward virtuous humans with sudden wealth while playing vengeful pranks or demanding wrestling matches (Ssireum) from the greedy] Born from the blood upon a rusty blade,

Woke from the dirt where old wood rots away.

A fiend of blue flames rising from the pine,

No holy prayer traps that form of his!

He mocks the dark and laughs at all the weak,

A heavy club for vengeance that he seeks.

He brings down thunder, smashes to the floor,

A wild demon knocking at the door!

DOKKAEBI!

Strikes the magic wooden club, summons gold!

Takes off the magic hat, watch him unfold!

He rewards the honest, breaks all the bold,

A spirit of fury, dark, uncontrolled!

Wrestles in the dark, hooks upon the right,

Pork and buckwheat jelly feed all his spite!

He walks with one leg down the mountain track,

All foolish humans face his dark attack!

Stand in the mud, come grab him by the waist,

They cannot match his strength or match his taste.

He plays dark riddles, twists inside the mind,

Drop all your gold or leave your eyesight blind!

Born from old pestles and from crimson stains,

He feeds on chaos, thrives upon your pains!

DOKKAEBI!

Strikes the magic wooden club, summons gold!

Takes off the magic hat, watch him unfold!

He rewards the honest, breaks all the bold,

A spirit of fury, dark, uncontrolled!

Wrestles in the dark, hooks upon the right,

Pork and buckwheat jelly feed all his spite!

Hat on! Invisible fear!

Hat off! Now he is right here!

Hat on! Vanish in the air!

Hat off! Disaster and despair!

Summon the jewels, pounding the wood!

Punish the evil, reward all the good!

A wild deity of iron and clay,

Run through the forest or suffer today!

RISE! RISE! BANGMANGI STRIKES!

RISE! RISE! BANGMANGI STRIKES!

Do mortals think this tale is just a joke?

See all the blue flames rising through the smoke!

He tricks the greedy, filling up their sacks

With rotten garbage and with heavy rocks!

He dances in town when twilight meets the night,

Runs through the shadows, strikes