A sketch of an imp

An imp is a mythological being similar to fairies or demons, frequently described in folklore and superstition. The word may perhaps derive from the term ympe used to denote a young grafted tree.


Originating from Germanic folklore, the imp was a small lesser demon. It should also be noted that demons in Germanic legends were not necessarily always evil. Imps were often mischevious rather than evil or harmful, and in some regions they were portrayed as attendants of the gods.

Imps are often shown as small and not very attractive creatures. Their behaviour is described as being wild and uncontrollable, much the same as fairies, and in some cultures they are considered the same beings, both sharing same sense of free spirit and enjoyment of all things fun. It was later in history that people began to associate fairies with being good and imps with being malicious and evil. However, both creatures were fond of pranks and misleading people. Most of the time, the pranks were harmless fun, but some could be upsetting and harmful, such as switching babies and leading travellers astray in place they were not fimiliar with. Though imps are often being thought of as immortal, many cultures believed that they could be damaged or harmed by certain weapons and enchantments or be kept out of people's homes by the use of wards.

Imps were often portrayed as lonely little creatures always in search of human attention. They often used jokes and pranks as meanings of attracting human friendship, which often backfired when people became tired and annoyed of the imp's endeavors, usually driving it away.﻿





Imps may be described as fairies in some cases but in most cases the Imp in question is an evil spirt or demon. They frequently appear in children's stories such as 'Silvia' in which she is followed by a black Imp. Since their time they have become more overlooked as not many people actually know what they are.
