Will-o'-the-wisp

In folklore, a will-o'-the-wisp, or will-o'-wisp (Latin: ignis fatuus, "foolish flame"), is an atmospheric ghost light seen by travellers at night, especially over bogs, swamps, or marshes. The phenomenon is known in the United Kingdom by a variety of names, including jack-o'-lantern, friar's lantern, and hinkypunk, and is said to mislead and/or guide travellers by resembling a flickering lamp or lantern. Equivalents of the will-o'-the-wisps appear in European folklore by various names, e.g., ignis fatuus in Latin, feu follet in French, Irrlicht or Irrwisch in Germany, dwaallicht in The Netherlands and fuoco fatuo in Italy. Equivalents occur in traditions of cultures worldwide (cf. § Global terms); e.g., the Naga fireballs on the Mekong in Thailand. In North America the phenomenon is known as the Paulding Light in Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Spooklight in Southwestern Missouri and Northeastern Oklahoma, and St. Louis Light in Saskatchewan. In Arab folklore it is known as Abu Fanous.