Pöial

Pöial is a term used in Estonian folklore and literature to refer to small, magical beings comparable to pixies, sprites, or goblins. The word is most often encountered in compound names such as pöialpoiss or pöialtüdruk, which reflect an idea of diminutive, miniature beings. In standard Estonian, pöial also means the human thumb, and the folkloric sense is metaphorical, highlighting small size and nimbleness.

In folklore, pöial beings are associated with nature, forests, and fields, and sometimes with households. They are usually described as clever and capable of helping humans when treated with respect, though they may play tricks if offended. Tales sometimes portray them as guardians of hidden places or as assistants in domestic tasks, consistent with a broader European arc of benevolent household sprites and forest dwarfs.

In modern usage, pöial figures appear in Estonian children's literature and popular culture, where they are depicted as friendly, diminutive creatures that aid protagonists or add whimsy to the story. The exact characteristics of pöial vary by author and tradition, and there is no single, universal archetype.

See also: pixie, elf, goblin, gnome; Estonian folklore collections; pöialpoiss.