| “ | Heh heh heh... Did you really think that I would be some small, diminutive thing that gives people favors? Well, you certainly seem uneducated in the true ways of the fae. Allow me to educate you. | „ |
| ~ An unidentified fae to an unfortunate human. |
A Fae, often mistakenly known as a Fairy (a species apart of the Fae), is an entity that belongs to the realm of mythical beings in European folklore. They are typically characterized as ethereal, otherworldly, and supernatural spirits, and can be classified as such.
Overview[]
The Fae are known to go by numerous names, with their primary title "fairies" derived after their homeland, the realm of Faerieland. Other than faeries, fey and Fair Folk, they are also referred to as Kind Ones, Little People, Good Neighbors, and various other euphemisms, this variety in nomenclature can be attributed to both the extensive diversity within the fairy realm and the ancient superstitions surrounding invoking their names. In folklore, the Fae were held responsible for a wide range of mischievous and harmful activities, spanning from minor acts like petty vandalism and theft to more serious offenses, including kidnapping and outright murder. They were often believed to be the cause of livestock falling ill or dying, leading travelers astray during the night, or luring individuals to their doom near bodies of water such as ponds and rivers. When provoked, fairies were even said to take lives.
Different cultures and traditions have attributed various origins to fairies, describing them as spirits of the dead, alchemical elementals, demoted angels, demons, pagan deities, or even a distinct type of human. They are often seen as the opposites and adversaries of Creatures of the Night and demons, indirectly aligning them with angels. They are led by Oberon, the High King of the Fae and arch-enemy to the vampire god Absalom.
Description[]
Not much is known about their religion, apart that they worshipped some deities such as Gaia and Lugh, but more notably Titania who they revere to as the Goddess of the Stars while Mab was revered as the Goddess of the Moon and Oberon their King Consort and the "Lord-Father" of all the fairies. Although Gaia was the central figure in their religion, the Faeries favored Titania over her. It is implied that fae also worshipped Cernunnos and Morrígan, as their deities along with the rest. In fact, elves were often said to be "greater fae" compared to the lesser fae like the typical fairies. The fae offspring of Titania and Oberon are likened to demigods and are also said to be worshipped in some form or another by the fairies.
Fae were said to have inhabited the spiritual realm before humans ever set foot on Earth, or perhaps even before humans were created as a whole. Their true origins is largely shrouded in mystery as even a majority of the fae themselves are unsure of where they came from or who created them, although one implication point towards the Tuatha Dé Danann, the Irish pantheon of gods, who created the fae race from "stardust" to be their assistants or servants in mending and overseeing the development of nature itself.
Among the Fae, Oberon and his two wives Titania and Mab are said to be greatest among them. It is said that they chose to disconnected themselves from the divine as they believed they could explore their potential more without being limited to the rules of the gods. As such, they set out to make their own kingdom with themselves becoming rulers. While all are truly servient to the High King, many have split in different factions across the world, becoming the many groups of fae known in the supernatural world and gaining different names and monikers by the indigenous humans they encountered and wrote about in their folktales, although some of these fae had different origins. The Fae usually looked at humans with contempt and amusement, as their bodies could easily be broken and their minds easily shattered. This gave birth to the beings told of in traditional lore.
Fae Courts[]
The world of the fae encompasses several distinct types, which are often separated into courts. While most believe that the fae are ruled by only two courts, that being the Seelie and the Unseelie, there are actually six courts with numerous chiefs whom act as the ruling body of the Fae. These chieftain fairies would distinguish themselves by wearing a ring of gold, called a "circlet", around their head.
The two most well known courts are the respected but feared Seelie Court who are amoral in regards to mortals and the most feared and malicious were the Unseelie Court who would often attack and harass mortals without cause or reason. The former consisted of fairies, elves, leprechauns and lake maidens and other nature spirits while the latter consisted of redcaps, goblins, hags, hiisi and other malicious spirits, who were , were known for attacking and harassing mortals without provocation.
Beyond these courts, there were other fairy groups and individuals, although they were generally amoral concerning mortals, ruling with a manner reminiscent of ancient gods, evoking both vengeance and fear. While the majority of the fae were believed to reside in the continent of Europe, there were also fae in other parts of the world, such as Jengu in West Africa, Peri in the Middle East and Dokkaebi in Korea. Additionally, there were various other fae tribes, like the Haltija and Haldjas. The Sluagh are , a horde of restless spirits and fairies of the undead, was a source of caution and fear for both the Seelie and Unseelie Courts.
- Seelie Court: Seelie means "blessed" or "holy" These faeries tend to be more benevolent & will always repay favors, but they also avenge insult. They are prone to mischief and the word "silly" comes from their name. They are typically kinder & have a brighter disposition.
- Summer Court: The Summer Court is subordinate to the Seelie Court. They gain power at the Spring equinox. They represent mature life and their focus is on sustaining life, making more pragmatic decisions than the Spring court. They tend to be more arrogant and are capable of cruelty, but are polite well-mannered.
- Spring Count: The Spring court is also subordinate to the Seelie Court, so they share key values with the summer court. Spring court fae are very focused on nature, growth, and life. They are cheery, peppy, and calmer than the Summer court. They embody the qualities of Spring.
- Unseelie Court: The Unseelie Court is typically viewed as the opposite of the Seelie court. They are more malicious and nearly always unfavorable to humans. These faeries are not always evil but they tend to prefer harming rather than helping. Unseelie faeries like to travel in a group at night and assault travelers physically, mentally, and emotionally, especially if they are spiritually ignorant.
- Winter Court: The Winter Court is subordinate to the Unseelie Court and gains its power at the Autumn equinox. They epitomize the qualities of Winter. They tend to be more malevolent, but view life and death both as important forces. They are sensible and calculating with a darker disposition. They can be quite cruel.
- Autumn Court: The Autumn court is also subordinate to the Unseelie court. They are associated with death and decay and are as equally malevolent as the Winter court. They do a lot of the "dirty work" and trooping for the Winter court. They believe in the expressing of all emotions.
Myths and Legends[]
Types of Fae[]
Seelie Court[]
- Anthousai
- Aziza - Friendly African fairy
- Brownie - English and Scottish household spirit
- Changeling - Fairy child
- Cu-Sith
- Dokkaebi - Trickster spirit
- Dwarf
- Fastachee
- Dryad
- Meliad
- Daphnaie
- Epimelid
- Hamadryad
- Elf
- Svartálfar
- Dark Elf
- Dokkalfar
- Svartálfar
- Huldufólk
- Fairy
- Fairy Godmother
- Faun - Roman Nature spirit
- Fenghuang - Chinese avian fairy
- Green Man
- Gruagach
- Jengu - Water spirit
- Kelpie - Water spirit
- Lake Maiden - British Lake Spirit
- Leprechaun
- Clurican
- Far Darring
- Melusine - Water spirit
- Nymph - Nature spirit
- Napaea
- Peri - Desert spirit
- Pixie
- High Pixie
- Cornish Pixie
- Puka
- Rusalka
- Satyr - Greek Nature spirit
- Samodiva - Slavic fairy
- Silky
- Sprite - Commons woods fairy
- Tianlong - Asian dragon fairy
Unseelie Court[]
- Daoine Sídhe - Common Celtic fairy
- Alp
- Banshee - Hostile Irish fairy
- Bean nighe - Scottish death fairy
- Bluecap
- Boggart
- Dullahan - Demonic fairy
- Doxy
- Goblin - Grotesque fairy
- Alux - Mayan goblin
- Bauchan - Scottish domestic goblin
- Bugbear - English hobgoblin
- Chaneque - Aztec nature goblin
- Farfadet - French goblin
- Gremlin - English air goblin
- Hiisi
- Kallikantzaros
- Kobold - Germanic goblin
- Lutin - French hobgoblin
- Muki - Peruvian goblin
- Pombero - Brazilian goblin
- Redcap - Murderous Goblin
- Trauco - Chiloé forest goblin
- Tokoloshe - Zulu/Xhosa evil goblin
- Hag - Wizened fairy or old woman
- Nickar - Hostile water spirit
- Spriggan
- Troll
- Vila - Slavic fairy
- Vodyanoy - Russian water spirit
Notable Fae[]
Leaders/Creators[]
- Life - Personification of Life and Creator of the Fae
- Spring Sprite - Preserver of the Fae and the Fairyland
- Oberon - High King of the Fae, the Seelie and Unseelie Court, and all of Fairyland
- Titania - High Queen of the Seelie Court and the bright-half of Fairyland
- Mab - High Queen of the Unseelie Court and the dark-half of Fairyland
Neutral[]
- Puck - Jester of the Fairyland's Court
- Eitri
- Brokkr
- Lancelot du Lac - King of the Lake (Half-Fairy)
- Morgan le Fay - Lady of Magic and Queen of Avalon (Half-Fairy)
- Maggie
- Peter Pan
- Tinker Bell
- Queen Elfaria - Queen of Ringford
- Mercedes - Princess of Ringford
Seelie Court[]
- Nicnevin - Scottish Queen of the Fairies
- Vivian - Lady of the Lake and mother of Lancelot
- Nimue - Lady of the Lake and daughter of Diana
- Melusine
- Green Knight
- Tam Lin
- Caipora
- Gan Jiang
- Mo Ye
Unseelie Court[]
- Fear Doirich - Servant of Mab
- Finvarra - King of the Daoine Sidhe
- Clidna - Queen of the Banshees
- Erl-King - King of Elves
- Snow Queen
- Carabosse
Outsiders[]
- Pan
- Faunus
- Lauma
- Arawn
- Some of the Tuatha Dé Danann
- Flaga
- Jack Frost
Quotes[]
- "The Fae, the children of the great and most wondrous Lady Life and inhabitants of the magical realm known as Fairyland. Despite being the creations of one of the personification of life, they're nothing more than demonic beings in angelic skins, living for the sole purpose of bringing forth chaos and discord onto the world. Tryeth thy best not to maketh unneeded contact with the fair-folks and to at each moment recall to nev'r engage in combat with these beings. coequal though those gents art devious and monstrous beings in nature, those gents art still the children of a primordial, and the Gifters aren't known for mercy toward their lady children's attackers." - Codex Sancti ad Lunam Bestiary.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Christian interpreters have sometimes regarded the Tuatha Dé Danann as Fae, even though they are originally considered deities in Irish mythology.
- One account states Oberon and Titania was once apart of the Tuatha Dé Danann.
- It is indeed ironic that after the Celtic Pantheon waned in prominence, the Tuatha Dé Danann were often associated with the Fae and came to serve Oberon in some interpretations. This blending of mythology and folklore illustrates how stories and beliefs can evolve and intertwine over time.
- According to Oberon, he and the Tuatha Dé Danann's ancestors were brothers, whether this mean a familia connection or simply brothers-in-arms is unknown.
- In some mythological and folklore interpretations, the minor god Pan is also said to have joined or become associated with the Fae, further demonstrating the fluid and interconnected nature of mythological narratives over time.
- The Elementals Gnome and Sylph have both been treated as apart of the Fae.
- The Fae are often believed to preside in Fairyland, a realm created for them by Life. This realm is typically associated with the Otherworld, a mystical and otherworldly dimension separate from the mortal world.
- Fairyland is a rich and diverse realm with various sectors or regions. Some of these include Avalon, Elfhelm, Fairy Forest, Neverland, Ringford (which resides in the realm of Erion), and numerous others.
- Fae are known to have a presence in various mythological realms and mystical places. Some of these realms include Alfheim, Vanaheim, Svartalfheim, Nidavellir, Tir Na Nog, Fólkvangr, the Moors, the Nevernever, certain Underworlds, and other mystical locations.
- Although the Wild Hunt is closely associated with the Creatures of the Night, it is also considered a part of the Fae Folk.
Image Sources[]
- (Theresa-konigseder-haller-dark-fae-final.jpg) Fae by Theresa Königseder-Haller
- (Consumption by carmensinek daci3md-fullview.jpg) Consumption by CarmenSinek
- (Fae Life.jpg) Fairy cave by FLOWERZZXU
- (Fairy queen cover art by skyzocat db0fptx-fullview.jpg) Fairy Queen - Cover Art by Skyzocat
- (Forest-guardian-by-telthona.jpg) Forest Guardian by Sandra Duchiewicz
- (Small Fae.jpg) Fairy by I-GUYJIN-I
- (Green Fae.jpg) Fairy by Alicechan
- (Faerie by anndr dchsbq4-fullview.jpg) Faerie by anndr
- (Arrival of the king and queen of Fairyland.jpg) Arrival of the King and Queen of Fairyland by E. Stuart Hardy