In Welsh and Irish folklore, the Corpse Candle is a small ball of light said to be an omen of imminent death of a close relative or the death of a nearby residence. They were thought to trace the path to which a funeral would take place and the body of the deceased would travel on its way to being buried. They were also known to be seen traversing graveyards and swamps at night. There are various differences between Corpse Candles that indicate what the gender and age of the person to die is, they are as follows:

A large and red light would indicate an adult male was to die.

Small and blue lights would indicate that a young child or youth was to die.

Mild and blue would indicate that a small child or infant was to die.

Large and white light would indicate an adult woman was to die.

And two white orbs of varying sizes floating side by side was thought to indicate that a woman and her unborn child were to die.

Attributes: Death, Warning, Night.

Type of Creature: Spirit.

Behavior: Mischievous, Varied.

Element: Darkness, Earth, or Water, depending on how you view it.

Symbols: None.


The Corpse Candle is very similar to the Will-O-Wisp or Spook Light in appearance, and have been thought to be mischievous spirits or faeries that fancy leading travelers astray. However, unlike the aforementioned creature, it isn't always thought to be the light of mischievous spirit, but rather, its intent is similar to that of the Banshee, who acts as an omen of approaching death.