Fairies and Folklore

So Sweet a Changeling
by Arthur Rackam

The origins of fairies are unclear. It is said that fairies were mainly a pagan belief, wiped out by Christianity. While stories of fairies are popular the world over, the folklore prominently comes from Ireland,Scotland, and England. One Irish belief was that fairies were once Gods and Goddesses, and after Otherworld beings had defeated them in a series of battles, and then defeated by Irish ancestors, they retreated into hiding. Another is that the angels revolted and God ordered the gates to Heaven shut. Those that were in Hell remained, those that were still in Heaven stayed angels, and those left on Earth became fairies. Although, the common Celtic belief is that fairies were driven away by humans to live in the Otherworld. The green clothes worn by faeries is to camouflage them. Fairies fear of iron coming from the superior weapons made by the humans.Northern England believed them to be the ghosts of the dead transformed into household sprites. Mainly, they're believed to live underground or in Hades.

Tatania the High Queen of Fairies
by Howard Johnson

Many believed that fairies kidnapped people, being babies or adults, and put changelings in their place. There are many stories of trickery by the faeries. Some eat stray children, hurt them when unsupervised in an orchard, and some have enough discretion to only hurt murderers and liars. When invited to Fairyland, some have spent centuries there (days in Fairyland time), escaped only to have time catch up with them and turn them into very old men or dust. It is believed that if worthy, the Fairy Queen will give you a silver branch. She promises safe passage for your stay. Other stories are of fairy gold and fairy ointment. Gold being a payment which turns into leaves. Fairy ointment can be given to you by the fairies enabling you to see them. Unfortunately, the ointment can blind you, should you let your power be known.

The Last Sleep of Avalon, 1881-98
by Edward Burnes-Jones

The popular belief is that fairies live in the wood amongst the trees and hills. They are also believed to live in ancient burial mounds and across the Western Sea. A fairy would find a hero, sing into his ear, take him across the Western Sea and no one would hear from him again. There is also Mag Mell, Emain Ablach, and Tir na nOg.

Mag Mell, or the Pleasant Plain, comes from Irish mythology. One could only reach the utopia through glory or death. This is a place void of sickness or death where there is only happiness, beauty, pleasure, and eternal youth. A hero could easily end up in Mag Mell when thrust off course by tempests.

Emain Ablach is otherwise known by many names. Fortress of the Apples, Isle of Women, and the Land of Promise, and Avalon being a few. It is folklore that this is where King Arthur was taken to heal from Camlann and where Excalibur was forged.

The Land of Youth, Tir na nOg, was believed to be visited by some of Ireland's greatest heroes. Which is probably why this is the most popular with the Irish. Located on an island far west, beyond the edge of a map, it could only be visited on an arduous journey or with an invitation by a fairy. Oisin arrived on a magical horse that could gallop on water. Niamh was his guide ,you cannot get there without one. When Oisin becomes homesick, he leaves for home on his horse. She warns him not to touch ground, for 300 years of age would hit him at once. While helping his friend, he fell from his horse and the years aged him.

Titania with her Fairies




Fairy Race




Fairies along the Water