The trickster deity breaks the rules of the gods or nature, sometimes maliciously (for example, Loki) but usually with ultimately positive effects. Often, the rule-breaking takes the form of tricks (eg. Eris) or thievery. Tricksters can be cunning or foolish or both; they are often very funny even when considered sacred or performing important cultural tasks.
In many cultures, (as may be seen in Greek, Norse or Slavic folktales, along with Native American/First Nations lore), the trickster and the culture hero are often combined. To illustrate: Prometheus, in Greek mythology, stole fire from the gods to give it to humans. He is more of a culture hero than a trickster. In many Native American and First Nations mythologies, the coyote (Southwestern United States) or raven (Pacific Northwest and coastal British Columbia) stole fire from the gods (stars or sun) and are more tricksters than culture heroes. This is primarily because of other stories involving these spirits: Prometheus was a Titan, whereas coyote and raven are usually seen as jokesters and pranksters.
Frequently the Trickster figure exhibits gender variability, changing gender roles and engaging in same-sex practices. Such figures appear in Native American and First Nations mythologies, where they are said to have a two-spirit nature. Loki, the Norse trickster, also exhibits gender variability, in one case even becoming pregnant; interestingly, he shares the ability to change genders with Odin, who despite being nominally the chief Norse deity also possesses many characteristics of the Trickster.
Tricksters
- Abenaki mythology ... Azeban
- Akan mythology ... Kwaku Ananse
- American folklore ... Brer Rabbit and Aunt Nancy, a corruption of Anansi (Ananse)
- Ashanti mythology ... Ananse
- Australian Aboriginal mythology ... Bamapana
- Aztec mythology ... Tezcatlipoca
- Basque mythology ... San Martin Txiki
- Brazilian folklore ... Saci-Pererê
- Celtic mythology ... Fairy, Puck
- Chinese mythology ... Nezha, Sun Wukong (the Monkey King)
- Chippewa mythology ... Nanabozho
- Judeo-Christian ... Jacob
- Crow mythology ... Awakkule, Mannegishi
- French folklore ... Reynard the Fox
- Fijian mythology ... Ndauthina
- German folklore ... Till Eulenspiegel
- Greek mythology ... Eris, Prometheus, Hephaestos, Hermes Trismegistus, Odysseus (example of a human trickster, who manages to evade dangers thanks to his wits. The cyclops Polyphemus is an example of this)
- Haida mythology ... Nankil'slas (Raven spirit), (Coyote)
- Hawaiian mythology ... Kappa, Maui
- Hopi and Zuni mythology ... Kokopelli
- Indonesian folklore ... Kantjil
- Inuit mythology ... Amaguq
- Japanese mythology ... Kitsune, Susanoo
- !Xu mythology ... Mantis
- Lakota mythology ... Iktomi
- Navajo mythology ... Tonenili
- Nootka mythology ... Chulyen, Guguyni
- Norse mythology ... Loki
- Northwest Caucasian mythology ... Sosruko
- Ojibwe mythology ... Nanabush
- Polynesian mythology ... Iwa, Kaulu, Maui, Ono, Pekoi
- Tibetan folklore ... Agu Tonpa
- Ute mythology ... Cin-an-ev
- Vodun ... Ti Malice, Baron Samedi
- Yoruba mythology ... Eshu
The Trickster is an example of a Jungian Archetype. The Fool survives in modern playing cards as the Joker. In modern literature the trickster survivers as a character archetype, not necessarily supernatural or divine, therefore better described as a stock character.
In later folklore, the trickster is incarnated as a clever, mischievous man or creature, who tries to survive the dangers and challenges of the world using trickery and deceit as a defense. For example many typical fairy tales have the King who wants to find the best groom for his daughter by ordering several trials. No brave and valiant prince or knight manages to win them, until a poor and simple peasant comes. With the help of his wits and cleverness, instead of fighting, he evades or fools monsters and villains and dangers with unorthodox manners. Therefore the most unlikely candidate passes the trials receives the reward. More modern and obvious examples of that type are Bugs Bunny and The Tramp (Charlie Chaplin) (see below).
For a modern humanist study of the trickster archetypes and their effects on society and its evolution, see Trickster Makes The World: Mischief, Myth, and Art by Lewis Hyde.
