Bodach
Encyclopedia
A bodach (ˈpɔt̪ɔx; plural bodaich), as borrowed into English, is a mythical
spirit or creature, rather like the bogeyman
. In Modern Scottish Gaelic
the word simply means "old man", colloquially often used affectionately. Historically its meaning is "mature person", from bod "penis" and the suffix -ach, literally "someone who has a penis".
"A bodach is a mythical beast of the British Isles, a sly thing that comes down chimneys during the night to carry away naughty children." - Dean Koontz (Forever Odd)
"Bodachs are ink-black, fluid in shape, with no more substance than shadows. Soundless, as big as an average man, they frequently slink like cats, low to the ground." - Dean Koontz (Brother Odd)
"In regions of Wales and Scotland, a bodach is a term for an imp or a faery, often one of the shapeshifting, mischievous variety; this term, though derogatory in nature, was often used with affection, translating closest to "scoundrel" or "rascal".
starring Jessica Alba shows shadowy, otherworld creatures that escort the dead away, matching the idea of bodach. Like in Odd Thomas novels, the bodach in The Eye also become numerous just before a tragic incident where many people will die.
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
spirit or creature, rather like the bogeyman
Bogeyman
A bogeyman is an amorphous imaginary being used by adults to frighten children into compliant behaviour...
. In Modern Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic language
Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language native to Scotland. A member of the Goidelic branch of the Celtic languages, Scottish Gaelic, like Modern Irish and Manx, developed out of Middle Irish, and thus descends ultimately from Primitive Irish....
the word simply means "old man", colloquially often used affectionately. Historically its meaning is "mature person", from bod "penis" and the suffix -ach, literally "someone who has a penis".
Bodachs in literature
- Bodachs are seen at the beginning of MoonshineMoonshine (novel)Moonshine is the second fantasy novel by Rob Thurman, and the second in her series featuring the monster hunter/private investigator Cal Leandros.-Plot summary:Moonshine is the sequel to Nightlife...
by Rob Thurman. - Bodachs occasionally appear in Charles De Lint'sCharles de LintCharles de Lint is a Canadian fantasy author and folk musician. He is also the chief book critic for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction....
books of mythic fiction. - The name Bodach is used to describe shadow-like creatures - invisible to most people - that appear at locations before disasters in the books Odd Thomas, Forever OddForever OddForever Odd is a 2005 novel by Dean Koontz, and the sequel to Odd Thomas. The plot takes place six months after the events of Odd Thomas.-Plot summary:...
, Brother OddBrother OddBrother Odd is a novel by Dean Koontz, published in 2006. The novel is the third book in Koontz's series focusing on a young man named Odd Thomas.-Plot summary:...
and Odd HoursOdd HoursOdd Hours is the fourth novel in the Odd Thomas series by Dean Koontz. It was released on May 20, 2008.-Plot summary:The story begins with Odd finding a woman who featured prominently in his dream, a young, pregnant woman who calls herself Annamaria. After being assaulted and nearly killed by a...
by Dean KoontzDean KoontzDean Ray Koontz is a prolific American author best known for his novels which could be described broadly as suspense thrillers. He also frequently incorporates elements of horror, science fiction, mystery, and satire. A number of his books have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List, with...
. These can only be seen by Odd. - Bodachs appear as evil supernatural soldiers, or goblins, in Alan GarnerAlan GarnerWith his first book published, Garner abandoned his work as a labourer and gained a job as a freelance television reporter, living a "hand to mouth" lifestyle on a "shoestring" budget...
's fantasy novel The Moon of GomrathThe Moon of GomrathThe Moon of Gomrath is a fantasy story by the author Alan Garner, published in 1963. It is the sequel to The Weirdstone of Brisingamen.-Plot synopsis:...
.
"A bodach is a mythical beast of the British Isles, a sly thing that comes down chimneys during the night to carry away naughty children." - Dean Koontz (Forever Odd)
"Bodachs are ink-black, fluid in shape, with no more substance than shadows. Soundless, as big as an average man, they frequently slink like cats, low to the ground." - Dean Koontz (Brother Odd)
"In regions of Wales and Scotland, a bodach is a term for an imp or a faery, often one of the shapeshifting, mischievous variety; this term, though derogatory in nature, was often used with affection, translating closest to "scoundrel" or "rascal".
Bodachs in movies
The movie The EyeThe Eye (2008 film)
The Eye is a 2008 supernatural horror film starring Jessica Alba. It is a remake of the Pang Brothers' 2002 film of the same name.-Plot:Sydney Wells is a successful classical violinist who has been blind since the age of five. Fifteen years later, Sydney undergoes a cornea transplant, which causes...
starring Jessica Alba shows shadowy, otherworld creatures that escort the dead away, matching the idea of bodach. Like in Odd Thomas novels, the bodach in The Eye also become numerous just before a tragic incident where many people will die.
Bodachs in music
Na'Bodach is a band, located in the United States of America, specializing in Celtic music. Two releases, "An Intelagent Design" (2006), "Knickers Down, Bottoms Up", (2003).http://www.nabodach.comSee also
- Celtic mythology in popular cultureCeltic mythology in popular cultureCeltic mythology in popular culture is a common feature in books, movies, television shows, and games. Celtic mythology elements appear many times in these popular culture outlets.- Bloody Bones :*Bloody Bones is the Mattel toy Monster in My Pocket #68....
- CailleachCailleachIn Irish and Scottish mythology, the , also known as the Cailleach Bheur, is a divine hag, a creatrix, and possibly an ancestral deity or deified ancestor...
(the Old Woman) - Urisk
- Wirry-cowWirry-cowIn Scotland, a wirry-cowe was a bugbear, goblin, ghost, ghoul or other frightful object. Sometimes the term was used for the Devil or a scarecrow.The word was used by Scott in Guy Mannering....