Are Fairies Evil? The European Folklore Explains
Are fairies evil?
To say the least and according to popular folklore, fairies are evil. The answer to this question is probably not what you expected. The fair folk have been around since humans and have a very noticeable standing in our folklore, books and media today.
Here we bring you the authentic take on fairies and their real nature.
Are Fairies Evil?
Yes, fairies belonging to European folklore are very evil. According to ancient folklore and manuscripts, the fair folk was very evil as they played tricks on people. These fairies and their ways are totally opposite of the fairies we see in animated movies and cartoons today.
So what is actually true? We humans have been living on this Earth for quite a while now. We have had uncountable calamities befall us. The narrators of the ancient times have done a commendable job in collecting, narrating, and preserving data for the generations to come. Likewise, much evidence can be found regarding the nature and the doings of fairies.
The fairies are odd creatures of the world and the world seems to be divided by the nature and abilities of the fairies. The question still remains why there is a difference between the fairies of olden and new times. To answer this question, we must look at the concept of fairies in much more detail.
How Were Fairies Portrayed?
Fairies are described as a supernatural, paranormal creature made of light. This definition comes from European cultures including English, Germanic, Celtic, Slavic, and French folklore. The fairies are thought of as a form of spirits that wander in the world, where they were between humans, sometimes being kind, and other times they were wicked. These fairies do not have a designated home, rather they jump from one location to another to maintain their privacy and safety.
In various instances, these manuscripts refer to fairies as a group of different creatures. Goblins and gnomes are also referred to as fairies. The goblins and gnomes are known for their vicious nature so it can be said that in ancient times, the category of fairies was used for evil and notorious creatures. The category most famously includes but is not limited to gnomes, goblins, elves, pixies, dwarfs, and trolls.
There are many different stories about the origin of the fairy folk. The reason is that the fairies are a legendary part of many European cultures, and that is why each culture has a profound stake in the origin of fairies as evil creatures. Nevertheless, whatever knowledge that we have on the subject matter is from the ancient manuscripts and writings passed down in the family of writers or were found at excavation sites, as some say they were evil and others say the opposite.
Wicked Abilities of Fairies
Folk is a commonly described word for the fairies in European culture. As the European culture is very rich and widely spread, its folklore contains a lot of stories and anecdotes. Among all of them, it is very evident that the fairies had supernatural abilities and could affect the psychology of humans if they wanted to.
The fairies are described as creatures who loved to play tricks on humans. These tricks could be harmless or maybe even deadly, hence people used to keep themselves safe by using various protective materials.
Here are tricks the fairies pulled:
kidnapped kids from their cribs
led travelers astray to dangerous routes
stole important things from the houses
disappeared without leaving a trace
made people go insane by showing unreal things
used to destroy relationships by pitting people against each other
credited for bringing famines, droughts, and all sorts of sicknesses to the region
destroying natural beauty and sites on wonder
made children cry at night for no reason and when the mother got up, the child would stop crying
ruining the beautiful wedding dresses of brides just because they were jealous
Fairies have haunted humans since the start of time, hence their abilities of fairies are still a mystery to man but we can assume that they were very powerful and dangerous. Some might also argue that the fairies were made of light and that is why had the power to control the sun.
Types of Evil Fairies
European folklore describes fairies as evil and supernatural creatures. In the category of these creatures, there are many subcategories of widely known monsters and entities. Here we look at them in detail. Mind you not that these all are on the evil side and the literature portrays some of them as friends of humankind and fallen angels.
Goblins
Goblins are described as diminutive humans who are very ugly and unpleasant to look at. These goblins live far away from humans because the humans might hurt them. Most of the goblins live away in jungles and caves.
Elves
Elves are different sorts of fairies. They are not evil towards humans but might be evil in their dealings with other creatures.
They are thought of as the most beautiful and intelligent supernatural creatures. They have extraordinary powers and finesse in their workings.
Leprechauns
Leprechauns are the most famous creatures in Irish folklore, where the Irish people celebrate the leprechauns with National Saint Patrick’s day. They have different appearances according to their location. They are known for cobbling shoes and hiding money in large cauldrons.
Gnomes
Gnomes are short humanoids that are associated with nature, they are highly associated with Renaissance mythology. Nowadays gnomes are those small clay figurines that we keep in our gardens for decorative purposes.
Trolls
Trolls are the most famous monsters of Norse mythology, known for their huge bodies and loud voices. They are most prominently known as the safe guarders of important passageways. This character is also very famous in movies nowadays.
Pixies
Pixies are by far the most friendly fairies out there, they are known for their nice and gentle behavior, as they belong to Celtic folklore. Pixies have wings so they can fly with ease.
Defense Against Evil Fairies
As fairies are evil and are not the friends of humans, the mythologies have taught us a lot of ways to defend ourselves from them. These defense mechanisms include various enchantments, charm decorated jewelry, metal-made ornaments, and four-leaf clovers.
The metal-made ornaments are by far the most famous and the most effective way to repel the fairies. The metals have innate properties of natural defense in them, hence anything made out of metal like a horseshoe or a nail is very potent against the evil fairies. Among metals, iron is said to have the most naturally defensive properties.
Iron is said to have enhanced properties of supernatural defense. No one knows how or why iron is so potent against the fairies but has been transcended through generations. Just as iron is a metal other metals may also be used for defense but they are not as potent as iron against fairies and other supernatural beings.
Switching From Evil to Good
As the world has changed a lot today, the fairies have popular tv shows and movies written about them, fairies are portrayed as very loving, caring, and beautiful creatures that have the wings to fly. This primarily negates the very concept and definition of fairies that is a huge part of many famous cultures around the world.
Many famous and popular writers have given major roles to the fair folk and other similar creatures. These characters have become very famous among the fans, therefore, the franchise of fairies is making good money. Occasionally, like on Halloween and Comic-Con, people dress up as fairies who are kind.
FAQs
Are Fairies Dangerous?
Yes, according to European culture, fairies are evil. They are known to play vicious tricks on humans and they are not friends of humans.
Are Fairies Good?
Yes, as time has passed they have evolved and been better, kinder, and more loving.
What Is An Evil Fairy Called In the Fairy Lore?
Evil fairy mythology is called a dark fairy. This is because it is believed that the creature has left the side of the light.
Why Do Fairies Take Humans?
Most fairies take humans only to play pranks on them. Some fairies might take them to drink their blood.
Why Are Fairies Weak To Metals?
Metals have natural protective abilities against the supernatural which is why the fairies become weak in the presence of metals, according to mythology. The most important metal against fairies is iron.
Conclusion
According to the European culture, fairies are very evil beings. They are thought of as supernatural, paranormal, sometimes humanoid and always devilish creatures. The fairies are portrayed quite differently in today’s media. They are shown to be nice, beautiful and loving creatures but this was not the case always.
The fair folk is a common describing word for the fairies in the European culture.
People need to defend themselves from these evil fairies. These defense mechanisms include various enchantments, charm decorated jewelry, metal-made ornaments, and four-leaf clovers.
The category of fairies most famously includes but is not limited to gnomes, goblins, elves, pixies, dwarfs, and trolls.
Here is everything you needed to know about the fairies being evil. We hope the answer to the question is now clear.
