Hy-Brasil: Phantom Island in the Atlantic

Hy-Brasil on a map as Brasil.

An old tale speaks of a mysterious island off the coast of Ireland. This phantom island is known by many different names and described in many different ways, but one thing stays the same: It is concealed completely in mist, appearing once every seven years but is still unreachable. Today, we will look into the tales of this island, whether it actually contains a herd of black rabbits, and how it is thought to actually exist.

The Phantom Island

Names and properties of the island

The island of Hy-Brasil has many different names: Hy-Brasil, Brasil, Hy Breasil, and many more. Despite its name, it is not related to the country Brazil in any way! They are also in completely different locations. Whichever name you decide to call this island, it is always described with a mysterious tale. This phantom island is always invisibly shrouded in mist or fog, except for one day every seven years, where it would be visible. However, it is still unreachable even on this special day.

Hy-Brasil is often described as a circular island to the west of Ireland, though it's exact location differs in different tales. A river is commonly described to be on the island, running through its diameter. The geography differs depending on each sighting. Across many descriptions, it has been depicted with lush and beautiful meadows, vast open plains, sturdy mountains, and dense forests. There are many stories about this location and its inhabitants.

Wikimedia

The tales of Hy-Brasil

The inhabitants

There are several claims of the inhabitants on this island. A captain claimed to have seen this island himself in 1674. He claims that he saw a magician living in a castle on Hy-Brasil along with a herd of black rabbits. Others have described the inhabitants in many different ways.

Some others describes the island as populated by many, and the populations of Hy-Brasil as wise and knowledgeable. The inhabitants built numerous impressive structures on the vast island where they reside.

Phantom Island on the map

Hy-Brasil on maps

The phantom island might not be on a typical map nowadays. However, Hy-Brasil actually appeared on many different maps for centuries! This was before the island was "de-confirmed". In the first picture of this blog, the phantom island appeared on a map in 1572 as Brasil.

Atlas from 1375

Hy-Brasil on an Atlas

The above example is not the only time that Hy-Brasil appeared on a map. It continued to be included for several hundred years. In the picture above, this detailed map is a Catalan atlas from 1375, which is among the earlier maps that depicts Hy-Brasil.

Expeditions to the island

Numerous expeditions throughout the years set out to discover the true locations of Hy-Brasil. However, despite their efforts, the island is not found.

Wikimedia

Hy-Brasil is removed from maps

Doubt of its existence

Later on, expedition after expedition fails to locate Hy-Brasil, and doubts began to form of the island's existence. By the 18th century, many maps have dropped Hy-Brasil as a location. After being on maps for centuries, Hy-Brasil has finally been retired.

Maps today

Nowadays, your typical map probably doesn't have Hy-Brasil on it, completing its status as a phantom island. It does contain another location, though: the Porcupine Bank.

Porcupine Bank

It's not Hy-Brasil, or is it?

In modern times, a location known as Porcupine Bank appears on maps at the Irish shelf, at approximately around the same location as the phantom island! This leads to many speculations, such as whether Porcupine Bank was actually a landmass above sea in the past and seen as Hy-Brasil in expeditions. Another speculation is that the Hy-Brasil that was sighted was actually simply a mirage of the Porcupine Bank.

Conclusion

An island that has been believed to have existed, and even assigned on maps for centuries, Hy-Brasil is truly a fascinating location with the numerous tales about this mysterious landmass.