Púca
Púcas or púcaí (Irish for ghosts/spirits) are mythological creatures in Irish and Welsh folklore that can bring both good and bad fortune to communities and individuals[1]. Púcaí come in a variety of fur colors and are known to be shapeshifters which can take the forms of creatures such as rabbits, horses, cats, and goats. Púcas are also able to retain the forms of humans which can include animalistic characteristics, such as ears and tails. They are also commonly referred to as pooka, phouka, and puca.
Nature of the púca[edit | edit source]
Púcas are regarded as being either helpful or devastating among humans. They have a natural interest in humans and often help people by manipulating relationships, behaviors, and outcomes.[2] They are also known to allow humans to understand animal speech and protect them from evil spirits.[3] Benevolent púcas, such as Melissa, are rare and often naive. A púca often chooses to help a human or community they have watched over for a prolonged period when approached or offered a gift. If the púca is treated well and appreciated, that púca will continue to protect the human. A majority of púcai are generally seen more as tricksters and will often play-act with the human to either comfort or receive something.[4][5]
Púcas can change their physical form by either shapeshifting or disappearing at will. They are also known to have been beyond amazing chefs and dabble into alchemy, as one story states a púca leaving drinks that grant happiness upon consumption. Other abilities include passing their translation abilities onto humans, warding off evil spirits, physical strength, and enhancing luck.
In Mike and Melissa[edit | edit source]
When Melissa first appears to Mike in the episode Mike Goes Crazy, she attempts to explain that she is a púca who only appears to those in need and adds that if he doesn’t believe that she is a púca, then she is simply a construct of his imagination, it is unconfirmed which explanation is true. However, it is implied that the ladder is the truth as Melissa makes several remarks about Mike's mind. This idea is further explored in the unnamed Episode 22 script, where Mike is shown to have drawn Melissa in the past. Many have concluded that while Melissa's species is a púca she is instead a tulpa, a being that is materialized through the human mind.[6]