What are Fairies?
Fairies are diminutive, magical beings in human form. Fairies are thought to be ethereal and often have wings. They are thought to be endowed with the powers of magic and enchantment. A fairy, also spelled faery, faerie, fay, or fae — euphemistically called wee folk, good folk, or fair folk — is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit often described as metaphysical or supernatural.
In ancient times, Christians thought that fairies were the ancestors of the ancient pagan gods — having been replaced by newer deities, they were hostile. Others identified fairies with the souls of the dead, particularly the unbaptized, or with fallen angels.
Did You Know?
Fairies are thought to have descended from the race of Elves — an ancient race of magical creatures with pointed ears who were thought to be extinct. Iron is believed to be like poison to fairies; they will not go near it.
Famous Fairies
Fairy Lore
- Fairies bestow gifts upon newborn children — beauty, wealth, and kindness.
- Fairies can only be seen clearly by animals and seldom by humans.
- Humans can see fairies during a full moon on Midsummer Eve.
- Knowing a fairy's true name gives you power over it — so fairies guard their real names closely.
- Fairies are thought to steal babies and replace them with changelings.
- Good housekeeping keeps fairies from spiteful actions — if the house isn't clean enough, they pinch people in their sleep.
- Iron is thought to be like poison to fairies; they will not go near it.
- Fairies have powers of magic, enchantment, and can use a "glamour" to make themselves visible to humans.
Fairy Names Around the World
Anglo-Saxon: Pixie | Cornish: The Old People, Pigsies/Piskies | Dutch: Feeyriek | French: Fye | Gaelic: Sith/Si | German: Zauberin | Irish: Good People, People of Peace | Italian: Fata | Persian: Pari | Scottish: Wee Folk, Good Neighbors | Welsh: Fair Folk, Fair Family
Fairy Mythology in Culture
Celtic: Celtic fairies may be seen as clever, mischievous, and capable of assisting or harassing human endeavor. In Celtic folklore, baked goods, cream and butter are traditional offerings to the wee folk.
England: In English lore, fairies are thought to be mischievous imps who delight in flustering young maidens and leading travelers astray.
Irish: The Irish say fairies live in the pagan sidh (burial mounds and barrow graves). It is thought that fairies have a connection to both heaven and the underworld, and that they would switch babies who had difficulties at birth with changelings.
Pagan: Fairies are seen as air, water, fire, and tree spirits — representing the four points of a pagan pentagram, with fairy spirit as the fifth point.
