Fairies Background

Fairies background is a varied one, and is a result of the many strands of folk beliefs that have merged to produce fairy mythology. They can be seen as spirit of the dead, demons, or a supernatural race that co-existed alongside humanity. Many tales of fairies also incorporate elements of pygmy legends, ancestral spirits and ghosts.

In some areas of Europe fairy beliefs are linked to the Celtic idea of the land of the dead. This is particularly true of the Welsh lore of the dwarves, dullahans and nuckelavees who are believed to be the souls of deceased Druids. The Cornish pigsies and pixies are also thought to be this class of soul. The Scottish kelpies or silladh are similarly connected to the dead, as are the Welsh nephews and elves.

While some fairies are friendly and protective of humans they can also be cruel, mischievous or even predatory. Historically, many fairies were feared as dangerous and powerful beings that could change form, and that might prey on human livestock or children. Many stories depict fairy abductions of human infants, especially newborn babies. The pixies of England were particularly notorious for taking human babies. The fairy sluagh of Wales are also associated with the land of the dead, and their members can be seen riding broomsticks in funeral processions.

Modern fairies have a much kinder nature and are more often benign, resulting in them being portrayed as cute little creatures that live in the woods and garden. However, the fairy mythology of old was more varied and dangerous than is popularly believed. Many of the more aggressive stories depicted fairies as beings that would snatch unwitting mortals and enslave them as servants or wives. These stories have been largely ignored in fairy tales and folklore books, although they can still be found in some of the older folk tales of England.

The earliest fairy tales were told in the 1400s, and depicted fairy warriors, knights and princesses that battled evil creatures and giants. The idea of fairies was reworked in the 1800s with the introduction of James M. Barrie’s Peter Pan and the fairy story genre. While this introduced a more innocent fairy image, the original fairy mythology was still in place and continued to evolve. In time it morphed with Christianity and became that of Fallen Angels, who had been too good for Hell but too bad for Heaven, and were sent to Earth as guardians of the natural world. The Christian church supported this concept as a way to promote their faith. Today, the belief in fairies continues to exist in pockets throughout the world, and is largely driven by interest in folklore, magic and religion. The popularity of Disney films and television shows has helped this cause. It is hoped that this article has provided some background to this fascinating and mystical belief. Thank you for reading! Fairies are copyright 2010 by Sally J. Polden and may not be used without permission.