I read that in middle ages, or somewhere along those lines, fairies were feared. (people thought that fairies would steal infants and leave 'changelings in their place).I read that bibles and prayers were supposed to keep them away or something.
were they always seen as evil? why are they viewed in a positive light today?
2007-01-12 17:00:24 · 10 answers · asked by toku_kuns 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
There are some fairies that are good, but also bad.
Kelpies are water fairies, usually in the shape of a black pony, they live near rivers. They will use thier magic to intice a person onto its back, then drag the person to the bottom of the river, before eating them.
The grey man, a malvolent elemental crerature who takes shape as fog and mist. He enjoys death, and will oftan help sailors along, by blinding them in fog, and crashing thier boats into the rocks.
The pooka is oftan in the shape of a black dog or pony. Like the Kelpie, it will lure travelers onto it's back, then take them for a wild ride, dumping them in a puddle or bramble bush, miles from their destination. They will also destroy farms.
The Sheeries are omens of bad luck, and they also pick on travellers, pulling them from their path. Water sheerie are especially dangerous, since they will lure you into a bog or marsh, to die.
Oftan the fairies would play tricks on farmers, spoiling thier milk and eggs, rotting thier crops, but if they were treated well, they might do them some favours.
The brownie is like that, taking care of the house. He is happy as long as you leave out some cream. If you give him anything else, or say thank you, he will turn into a boggart.
People then, never called them by the name fairy, but other things. Their is a quote, "Call us Good neighbours, that we'll be, Call us fairies, fairies we'll be."
2007-01-12 17:29:55 · answer #1 · answered by Meggie Oakblood 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fairies and elves are divided into two groups . the Selle(?spelling) those that help and are kind to the human race . And the unselle(?spelling). also called the dark fairies or elves.that hate and would rather kill any human.
They may be the remains of the DeDannans that went into the earth of Ireland rather than flee after being defeated by the Millisians.
A system of dwellings has been discovered in Ireland that only small statured people could have lived in. After a storm tore off the top soil covering.
2007-01-13 01:16:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some groups were considered to be "evil" in general and perform malicious acts for instance the unseely court (spelling).
On the other hand, most of the little people were feared because of the mischief that they often caused not that they were necessarily evil. Think of changelings stealing children, certain types of fairies stealing midwives, stealing brides, keeping people in "fairy land" etc.
You can liken it to other cultures that revered and feared certain beings much like aspects of nature. These elements might be dangerous because of their nature but not necessarily "evil" as such.
Cheers,
2007-01-13 01:42:48 · answer #3 · answered by Gene M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The idea that fairies are evil is mostly a Christian idea, based on the expulsion of Satan from Heaven. Anyone who fouhgt on Satan's side, was banished from Heaven. Many of Satan's closest friends went to Hell, with Satan. A few of the fallen angels, however, were too ashamed to stay in Heaven but did not want to suffer in Hell. And, so they stopped on Earth and became fairies. Even though they mostly try to do good, they are often considered evil, as they are angels that supported Satan's rebellion.
This is not the only reason fairies are considered evil but the main one.
2007-01-13 01:11:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anpadh 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some fairies are good, some are bad. People think they are "good" today because the imagine is pretty. People tend to think, Pretty = good, Ugly = bad.
Fairies generally like to play tricks on people because we're not magical or as smart as they are. I've never heard of bibles keeping them away. Each different type of fairy must be dealt with differently.
2007-01-13 04:12:14 · answer #5 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yep, actually today fairies are viewed both ways, according to who you are and how much education you have and how deeply ingrained your religion is. fairies were always a precosious sort of critter that could do good or evil in the snap of a finger. religion had a lot to do with making them evil. so that you wouldnt want to believe in them, then in the late 1800s they became the thing of story and magick and good again in some eyes.
2007-01-13 04:59:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of old British folklore. And as said above...some worse than others. It's more the idea that they like stirring up trouble and pretty much tend to view people like an ant farm to play with, and to steal people at will.
As for being viewed in a positive light today...maybe they've done a better job at duping us than we think.
2007-01-13 04:01:25 · answer #7 · answered by angk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
faeries were lured by the innocence of a child. and yes... often times they would steal a child and replace it with a changeling. but in general, they were not evil. just very mischievious. much as they are today.
2007-01-13 01:06:03 · answer #8 · answered by wrldzgr8stdad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are good and bad in everything. People tend to be afraid of things that they don't know. To me fairies are beautiful creatures
and I have them everywhere. They are inside my house and out
in my yard, from very tiny to very large. It is all in how YOU see it.
2007-01-13 09:46:35 · answer #9 · answered by gailpendarvis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just like people, some good, some bad.
2007-01-13 01:15:16 · answer #10 · answered by INDRAG? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋