When we talk about magical creatures, the first being that comes to mind for most of us, is a fairy. A fairy is mostly described as a dragonfly or a butterfly-winged human-like creature, with supernatural powers, ranging from quite tiny to the size of a human. Fairies appear in not just one but in many mythologies, such as European, Persian, German, and much more, but it could be seen a dominant presence in the European cultures.
Origin
It seems in the early period; these mythologies used the term “fairy” to describe any magical creature. These creatures not only include the winged creatures that we are familiar with, but also goblins and gnomes. In these times, terms such as “Fae”, “Fair Folk”, And “Faerie”, are used as synonyms for fairies. Later many identified a fairy and fae as two different entities.
Fairies are loving pure spirited magical beings who especially have the power to levitate, mostly with the help of wings. In the hierarchy of magical creatures, fairies are considered to be lower in rank than “sylph” and higher than “elf.” Some even claim sylphs are also a type of fairies. A fae is viewed as the evil counterpart of a fairy. They are magical creatures that are evil, horrid, and mischievous. They are often viewed as thieves, and are blamed for stealing children, and are said to keep the stolen children as slaves or pets.
The origin of fairies is not very clear, mainly because these creatures appear in many mythologies. So different beliefs describe the origin story differently. The term fairy itself is quite confusing. This is because sometimes the term is applied only to specific magical creatures, with human appearance, magical powers, and a penchant for trickery. Other times the term is used to describe any magical creature, such as goblins and gnomes. There are also instances where the term is used as an adjective to describe "enchanted" or "magical". In Irish mythology, the term “fairies” is used to describe, beings who are living in the fairyland, which is a land of eternal youth and happiness. Some historians such as Barthélemy d'Herbelot, believe the concept of fairies was influenced by Peris, who are angelic beings of Persian mythology. Different mythologies describe the roles of fairies differently. Some believe that they are powerful, intelligent spirits, and are identified as elementals, meaning magical entities who personify a particular force of nature, and exert powers over these forces. In these descriptions, elementals such as gnomes and sylphs, fall under the category of fairies. Fairies are specially connected with plant growth. It is believed, that even though the seed is healthy, the soil is ideal, and the sun rays are in the right amount, the plant wouldn’t grow, if the fairies are absent around that seed.
In another belief, fairies are described as spirits of the dead, specifically the dead who left "unfinished lives". Others claim that fairies were once deities who were worshiped. But after they were demoted from their godhood, they have been transformed into fairies. They are sometimes referred to as minor deities like nymphs and Satyr in Greek mythology. This concept was widely accepted during the time Christianity began to spread. Many of the gods worshiped across many mythologies were reduced to the status of fairies. They are even identified as demoted angels. It is said, a group of angels rebelled against god, and so God ordered those angels to be cast out of heaven. Some of the angels who rebelled did not go into war with god, so they did not fall into hell as fallen angels but were trapped between heaven and hell. Those still in heaven remained angels, those in hell became demons, and those caught in between became fairies. Another variation of the story describes that fairies were not pure enough to be called angels but were not evil enough to be called demons. In Daemonologie written by King James I, "fairies" are described as demonic entities. As for it, witches and sorcerers made pacts with these entities to perform magic.
After some time, fairies were completely viewed as demons. Dealing with fairies and witchcraft were considered punishable crimes. So the fairies of the past were feared as dangerous and powerful beings who were sometimes friendly to humans but could also be cruel or mischievous. so during these periods, there were even charms that were used to ward off fairies. Some of these charms included ringing the church bells, wearing clothing inside out, carrying a four-leaf clover and food such as bread. Many diseases related to physiological conditions and when children were born with abnormalities, were believed to be caused by fairies. Fairies were also accused of kidnapping children. Once a child is kidnapped, a fairy would replace the child with a child born in the fairyland. These fairy babies are called Changelings. A changeling may appear sickly, and will not grow in size like a normal child, and may have notable physical characteristics such as a beard or long teeth. A changeling also has a tremendous appetite, unlike a normal child. It was believed that the changeling shows its true nature when it thinks it is alone. This is the best way for parents to identify if their child has been replaced by a changeling. If someone manages to correctly identify the changeling, it was believed that the fairy who stole the baby would return the child. Different stories give out different reasons for stealing children.
Some claim that fairies kidnap children to turn them into slaves, while other stories claim that fairies kidnap these children out of love. Some even say-that it was not a fairy baby who gets replaced by a human child, but a very old fairy who wants to be cuddled by humans before death. Just like babies, adults as well get kidnapped by fairies, but this is not so frequent. Most of the adults who get abducted, were newly married and new mothers. Young adults were kidnapped to marry fairies while new mothers were taken to nurse fairy babies. When an adult was kidnapped they get replaced by an enchanted object such as a log which would look like the stolen person. This object would appear weak and sick, and would eventually die, which will be buried by the human family while the real person lives among fairies. But these beliefs connecting fairies to evil aspects are now disregarded. Some believe that fairies have the ability to shapeshift into the form of an animal. As for Scottish mythology, a fairy woman would take the form of a deer, while witches take the form of mice, hare, cats, or black sheep. In The Legend of Knockshigowna, the fairy queen changes her appearance into many hideous forms, such as a great horse, with the wings of an eagle, and a tail like a dragon, hissing loud and spitting fire. Then she would change into a little man lame of a leg, with a bull's head, and a lambent flame playing round it, and much more, to scare off a farmer who has occupied the land of fairies.
Different mythologies have classified fairies differently. The earliest classification is believed to be from Norse mythology, where elves, which were also viewed as fairies, were classified as Dökkálfar and Ljósálfar. Dökkálfar are the "Dark Elves" and Ljósálfar are the light elves. Dökkálfar livs within the world and has a darker complexion. Ljósálfar livs in Alfheim, which is the land of elves. These elves are said to be fairer than the sun. With the influence of Norse mythology, Scottish folklore classifies fairies as Seelie Court and Unseelie Court. Seelie Court are fairies who would seek help from humans, warn them when they accidentally offended them, and return human kindness with favors of their own. But they are still more inclined to take revenge when offended, and sometimes mischievous. Unseelie court fairies are much eviler and do not need a reason to harm humans. They rejoice when they see humans suffering. Another classification of fairies found in Irish mythology is, Trooping Fairies, Domesticated Fairies, And Solitary Fairies. Trooping fairies are the ones who liv in large groups, as in a clan. They are known for their singing and dancing and for living a sociable life. Domesticated fairies do not live in very large groups-as trooping fairies, but live in very small groups. These groups often consist of a single fairy family. solitary fairies live in isolation. Magical creatures such as Leprechauns, banshees, and brownies, are classified as solitary fairies. Most importantly, Trooping and domesticated fairies can be helpful for humans. But there are times they become mischievous as well. But solitary fairies would always play tricks on humans if disturbed by the slightest. These are just a few of the classifications, and of course, there are many more other ways fairies has been classified across different mythologies.
Another important role among these magical creatures is the fairy queen. The fairy queen is the fairy who rules all fairies. Some mythologies talk about the existence of a fairy king, but the majority agree that the fairies are governed by a queen. Based on Shakespeare's influence, in English-speaking cultures, she is often identified as Titania or Mab. Titania is described as a very beautiful fairy with the skin of the color of honey and her hair shimmered in all of the colors of autumn leaves. Her eyes glowed with gold, just like the sun. Titania is a very powerful fairy. it is said, that just with her smile, Titania has the power to cause crops to ripen. When she frowns it would cause wildfire, destroying all of the crops. Other stories claim that it is mab who is the queen of fairies. Mab is portrayed as a mischievous fairy. she has the power to crawl into the deepest wishes of men and deliver them in their dreams. It is said that at a certain time, Mab was replaced by Titania as the queen of fairies. It could be seen that the term fairies is not so simple as a winged magical creature. Many stories interpreted them very differently and there was a time where fairies were feared unlike present time.
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