When we were little, we can say that we all believed in those tiny little creatures. Whether it was because of "Peter Pan" or the "Tooth Fairy" that convinced us. We all wanted to believe in the fantstic and studying the fantastic is what I do best. So today we will discover the different types of Fae and what fae are.
The Fae go by many names, "Fairy, The Fair Folk, Faery etc. Fairy (perhaps derived from the Fates, three ancient spirits from Greek mythology that have bled into several other mythologies, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos.) Also thought to be a combination of Gaelic words 'Fae' for "Friend", 'eire' for "green" hence "Green Friends".
They first appear in the Middle Ages but also appear from the "Jinni" of Arabic Mythology to the Nymphs of the Greek and many indigenous cultures.
Everyone has different belief of where they come from. Some believe they are fallen angels that are too bad for Heaven but too good for Hell. They believe that wherever the faery falls is what he/she becomes (If they fall into water then they are a water faery, if they fall into the woods they become a wood nymph, etc).
Others believe that they are the spirits of unbaptized children. In this belief, they can be whatever size they want (mortal or only a few inches high.) They can assume any shape they wish to appear as (particularly that of a deer, falcon or flower. These faery like to kidnap children leaving changelings in their place. (a particularly evil shapeshifter basically.) They are also believed to take adults to faeryland. If any adult or child ate or drank anything in faeryland they would have to stay there forever.
They say that the fae have a very clear, very different set of morals than humans do. They have a tendency to steal things, pull hair, leave small cuts or bites, clean, and also have the potential for kindness. However, in faery folklore you are warned not to say thank you because that offends them. Anyone who knows the original story of "Sleeping Beauty" would know that offending a faery of any kind is a very bad idea and unlike "Tinker Bell" just saying that you don't believe won't protect you from their wrath.
There are two races of faery
Peasantry- solitary faeries descended from ancient, vanquished gods. They usually dwell in kingdoms, underground or in the deepest seas.
All faeries are not the ones you see on television and read about in books. There are many different types of the fae and much like humans, there is a benevolent and a merciless side to them. The following are the many types of fairies and a small description,
Asrais- Small, female fae. If exposed to sunlight or captured they will melt away in a pool of water.
Banshee- (I was surprised that Banshee fell under this category but I guess it fits.) Female spirit faery attached to certain families. It is said that when a member's death approaches the family will hear the banshee crying.
Bogles - generally evil-natured goblins. Although does more harm to liars and murderers.
Brownies- a small faerie who loves to do house work. Loves cream, bread and milk.
Daoine Mait- "The good people" faeries of contemporary irish folklore
Dwarves- Mature at three years of age and are grey and bearded by age seven. They cannot appear in the light of day or they will turn to stone. However there are potions and spells that empower them to endure sunlight.
Dryads - playful wood nymphs that dwell in trees favorites are Oaks and Willow. The druids are believed to have turned to them for inspiration.
Elves- Trooping faeries. Divided into Seelie and Unseelie courts. Believed to have caused disease in cattle and humans . Also sits upon chests of sleeper giving them nightmares. German word for nightmares "Alpdrucken" or "Elf Pressure"
Feeorin- type of diminutive faery in English Folklore. Also a collective word for faeries who are unusually friendly towards mankind, or at least neutral. They are depicted as small creatures with green skin and red hats. They enjoy singing and dancing.
Fir darrig- (Pronounced "Fear Deang") delight in rather gruesome forms of pranks. Can assume whatever visage they wish.
Fire faeries- two types; Spirits and Elementals and much like fire, they have the ability to create and destroy.
Garden Faeries- You can find these among the flowers; dancing and playing. They generally wear long flowing gowns with transparent wings. They pour blessings upon the world at dawn.
Gnomes- Earth Elementals; elderly people who live to be about 1000 years old and believed to be the healers of the faery world. They guard the treasures of teh earth and live underground. They are metal workers and have a weakness for gems and things that glitter.
Goblins- They are small and malicious. They usually bond together and can appear as animals. However, they are usually controlled by a mage for evil doings.
Gwragedd Annan- (pronounced "Gwageth anoon") Welsh water fairy. They occasionally take human men for husbands.
Gwyllion- Scottish mountain faeries. Seen as hairy men or hideous female spirits who waylay and mislead travellers by night on the mountain roads. They love to sit on rocks and silently watch passerby.
Hamadryad- Wood nymphs. There is always one nymph per tree and they die when the tree dies.
Hobgoblin- grotesque but friendly brownie- type creatures.
Jinnee or Jinn- (Like in Aladdin "Genie") Arabian mythology, the offspring of fire. They reproduce like humans but are led by a race of kings called Suleiman. One of whom, they say, built the pyramids. Their chief abode is the mountain Kaf, and they appear to men under the forms of serpents, dogs, cats,monsters or even humans and they become invisible at will. The evil jinn are hideously ugly but the good jinn are exquisitely beautiful.
There are many more faeries that I could name but we would be here all day. If you would like a continuation of this post please say so in the comments and I will list many more fae in the next post.
If you are a believer in the Fair folk and would like to share some of your experiences, please feel free to do so. I am not here to judge anyone on their beliefs. Although, I personally have never had an encounter and think that faeries are just a really fascinating creature to learn about in books but don't exist in real life. I have met plenty of people who believe that they are and I do not "hate on" their beliefs. Thank you for reading and if you found this post particularly interesting please give me a follow! Til next time darklings.
