In Supercurioso we love the fantasy world and the beings that inhabit it. We recently told you about the Orcs, goblins and other incredible beings . Today we want to enter the world of fairies ; to know where this idea comes from, who they are, what functions they have ... Do you want to accompany us to this wonderful world? Do you want to discover the different types of fairies?
To begin with, let's find out exactly what the fairies are, what were the first ones that human beings believed in, and then let's go into the types of fairies that have been documented in different cultures: fire, earth, water fairies, air ... All wonderful and powerful. Join us to inquire more about them!
What are the fairies?
They are beings fantastic, graceful and beautiful , protectors of nature and endowed with magical powers . In general, they are female and has wings . Humans can see them developing the call " ethereal vision "
The first fairies
The term "fairy" comes from Latin "fatum" which means fate or destiny, although the Greeks already believed in them, were the nymphs ; female minor deities. The Celtic they took us to the world of Ás Sídhe (in English Fairy Folk) that were beings very similar to the elves. The Celtic tradition is at the root of most European fairy tales and legends. In the Middle Ages, the belief in these magical beings was also present and they were related to enchantments and spells .
During the Victorian age , in Great Britain, there was a boom in this traditional world. In the form of fairy tales and illustrations they evolved until becoming small, subtle and luminous beings . Nowadays we can imagine them as many films show us or approach the Celtic or local tradition. In many places we find specific fairies, for example: in Asturias, xanas , in Cantabria anjanas , in Galicia the mouras , in Catalonia and the Balearic Islands dames d'aigua .
Fairy types
They are mainly classified into 3 categories that are Sylphs, Salamanders and Nymphs . Within the nymphs we find 6 types of fairies that are: Naiads, the Nereids, the Oceánides, the Dryads, the Hamadriades and the Melíades . Other classifications divide them into groups according to their element, earth, air, water or fire. The fairies of the earth would be the drills, They do not come out in our classification, since they are not a classic group.
1. Naiad
Are the fresh water nymphs , rivers, wells, streams, lakes ... embody the protective deity of these places.
They can be alone or in groups of sisters and, unlike other fairies, they can die. If the place where they live stays without water , the naiad will die .
Discover more about them in: Naiades | 3 rare stories of the freshwater nymphs .
2. Nereids
Are the nymphs of the Mediterranean Sea , they help the sailors and symbolize all the good things of the sea. In mythology they carried the trident of Poseidon .
They are young and beautiful and are often adorned with corals. The little mermaid from Disney and her sisters have the qualities of the Nereids, they even sing in their father's court.
3. Oceánides
Ocean and Tethys they had several daughters, the oceanic Protectors of oceans and marine abysses . One of these, Doris, is the mother of the Nereids. Some authors make them equivalent to the Naiads.
4. Dryies
Are the nymphs of the woods and trees , although his favorite is oak.
They protect the golden apple tree from the garden of the Hesperides.
5. Hamadriades
They are the dryads that are attached to a single tree .
They are not immortal and like the naiads when the water source dried, they They die if their tree is cut.
6. Melíades
Go always in a group . Protect the ash . Its name comes from a sweet liquid that comes from the ash and that the Greeks called "meli" for honey. It is believed that they are the oldest nymphs. Like this tree they symbolize firmness and can be very bellicose .
7. Sylphs
Another kind of fairy related to the elements. The Sylphs are the spirits of the air . They appear in numerous works of European literature. They are young, beautiful and slender, therefore, very thin people are called sylphs. The fairies of the air have their male companions, the sylphs .
Discover more about these creatures in: Silfos and Sílfides | 7 Curiosities of the spirits of the air .
8. Salamanders
Are the fire fairies . They live and feed on him. They are the fairies most powerful and his relationship with humans is not always good.
In this relationship we have talked about the most common fairies in mythology, stories and legends, but there are endless more of these fantastic beings populating literature.
Perhaps Machado in his "Cantares" referred to the world of fairies when he says:
"... I love the subtle worlds,
INGRÁVID and Gentiles,
like soap foam."
If you liked discovering the types of fairies and want to know more about their world, you may want to know more about the fairy rings that we can find in the forests.
Images: alfarman , tutincommon , Katmary , Grietje Haitsma, Sofi Pat Kight ,