{"id":2141,"date":"2010-12-14T20:07:26","date_gmt":"2010-12-14T20:07:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/spanish\/?p=2141"},"modified":"2010-12-15T15:45:04","modified_gmt":"2010-12-15T15:45:04","slug":"spanish-mythological-creatures-el-trasgo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/spanish\/spanish-mythological-creatures-el-trasgo\/","title":{"rendered":"Spanish mythological creatures: el trasgo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mythological creatures were a deep-rooted belief in Spanish popular culture well into the 18th century. The Catholic Church had to fight against these myths, even recruiting the Inquisition as an instrument to control them, since some of these creatures were considered minor demons, and a danger to Christian faith. Today we will talk about one of these creatures, specifically the Trasgo (or Trasgu, as it is known in Asturias).<\/p>\n

Trasgos are tiny beings similar to goblins or gnomes. They are usually friendly and hard-working, the wear a red shirt and a cap of the same color. It is a home goblin, entering the house when the fireplace is burning, and they like to stay close to it. They also frequent other parts of the house, like the attic and the stables. Their physical description varies according to the region, but there are some common features. Sometimes they are represented with horns and a tail, they usually have a limp, although their legs are long and thin. Their hands y fingers are also long, but Trasgos have a hole in the middle of their left hand.<\/p>\n

Normally, when Trasgos are in good spirits and they are treated well, they take it upon themselves to do house chores, so they work putting everything in its place, cleaning the house, sweeping, and helping the family. However, if you wrong them or they are in a bad mood, they will break the dishes, hide objects, mess up the clothes, and scream and shout to scare the animals away. If a trasgo turns out to be excessively mischievous or annoying, the house owners have to come up with a trick to get rid of him. In order to do that, they have to use his self-esteem. Trasgos fancy themselves as being very organized, and keeping everything clean and tidy. For that reason, the family can charge him with any of these three tasks:<\/p>\n

-they spread linseed or millet on the floor and ask him to pick it up. The Trasgo will not be able to, since the fall through the hole in his hand.<\/p>\n

-they may also order him to whiten the skin of a black ram, which is impossible.<\/p>\n

-the third option is to ask him to fetch water in a basket.<\/p>\n

When the Trasgo realizes that he cannot complete the task, he feels hurt in his pride, and leaves the house never to return again.<\/p>\n

The figure of the Trasgo is a part of popular culture even today. In some villages there are still families who believe that these goblins live in their houses. It is not only part of Spanish folklore, but also other European countries where similar creatures exist, under names such as kobold, lutin, nix, or puck. If you ever see one living at home with you, make sure you treat him well!<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Hasta bien entrado el siglo XVIII, en Espa\u00f1a se consideraba perfectamente cre\u00edble la existencia de seres mitol\u00f3gicos en la cultura popular. La Iglesia tuvo que luchar contra estas creencias, llegando incluso a utilizar a la Inquisici\u00f3n como m\u00e9todo de control, ya que algunas de estas criaturas se consideraban demonios menores y peligrosos contra la fe cristiana. Hoy vamos a hablar de una de esas criaturas, concretamente el Trasgo (o Trasgu, como se le conoce en Asturias).<\/p>\n

El Trasgu es similar a un duende o gnomo de figura diminuta. Normalemente es simp\u00e1tico y laborioso, viste una camisa roja y gorro del mismo color. Es un duende casero, que penetra en las casas cuando el fuego est\u00e1 encendido, y suele permanecer cerca de \u00e9l. Tambi\u00e9n frecuenta otros lugares de la casa, como el desv\u00e1n, y las cuadras o corrales. Su descripci\u00f3n f\u00edsica var\u00eda seg\u00fan la zona, pero tiene rasgos comunes. A veces aparece dibujado con cuernos y rabo, normalmente es cojo, aunque sus piernas son largas y delgadas. Sus manos y dedos tambi\u00e9n son largos, pero el Trasgo tiene un agujero en el centro de la mano izquierda.<\/p>\n

Normalmente, cuando el Trasgo est\u00e1 de buen humor y lo tratan bien, se preocupa de hacer las labores dom\u00e9sticas y trabaja colocando todo en su sitio, limpiando la casa, barriendo y ayudando a la familia.\u00a0 Sin embargo, si se le enfada o est\u00e1 de mal humor, rompe los cacharros, esconde objetos, revuelve la ropa y da voces y gritos espantando al ganado. Si un trasgo se vuelve demasiado travieso o molesto, los due\u00f1os de la casa tienen que inventarse un truco para deshacerse de \u00e9l. Para eso utilizan su amor propio. Los trasgos presumen de ser muy organizados y de tenerlo todo muy ordenado y limpio. Por ese motivo, la familia puede mandarle a hacer cualquiera de estas tres tareas:<\/p>\n

-echan linaza o mijo por el suelo y se lo mandan recojer. El Trasgo no podr\u00e1 hacerlo porque se escapan por el agujero de su mano.<\/p>\n

-tambi\u00e9n pueden mandarle blanquear la piel de un carnero negro, que es una tarea imposible.<\/p>\n

-la tercera opci\u00f3n es mandarle traer un cesto lleno de agua.<\/p>\n

Cuando el Trasgo ve que no consigue realizar la tarea, se siente herido en su amor propio y abandona la casa para no volver jam\u00e1s.\ufeff<\/p>\n

La figura del Trasgo es parte de la cultura popular incluso en el d\u00eda de hoy. En algunos pueblos todav\u00eda hay familias que creen que estos duendes viven en sus casas. Tampoco es solamente t\u00edpico de la cultura espa\u00f1ola, ya que hay criaturas similares en otros pa\u00edses europeos, con nombres como kobold, lutin, nix, o puck. Si alguna vez ven uno en su casa, \u00a1aseg\u00farense de tratarlo bien!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"

Mythological creatures were a deep-rooted belief in Spanish popular culture well into the 18th century. The Catholic Church had to fight against these myths, even recruiting the Inquisition as an instrument to control them, since some of these creatures were considered minor demons, and a danger to Christian faith. Today we will talk about one…<\/p>\n

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