Ok, it's silly, but is there a difference between pixies and fairies?

Question

Just getting a costume together and wondered if they had different characteristics. Wings? Pointed shoes? Hats? Female?

Answer 1

The term faerie is a generic term used to refer to all denizens of the Faerylands. The term Pixy (singular) or pixies (plural) is used to refer to one species of faerie that lives in the Faerylands.

In otherwords, faeries are of all shapes, sizes and appearances, and there are several species of them. Pixies, on the other hand, are a specific type of faerie originating from Scottland that are characteristically small (usually only about 4" tall), with translucent wings, and heads that are slightly too big for their bodies. It is very diffcult to identify them by gender, as they all look alike.

Answer 2

Faeries....true faeries anyway, are about the size of humans...a little taller. No wings. They look a little bit like Tolkien elves. Pixies are a shakespearean creation and are the dimunitive bug like creatures with the wings. They don't have to be female, but are usually depicted that way

Answer 3

Fairies are generally portrayed as humanoid in appearance and as having supernatural abilities such as the ability to fly, cast spells and to influence or foresee the future. Although in modern culture they are often depicted as young, sometimes winged, females of small stature, they originally were depicted much differently: tall, radiant, angelic beings or short, wizened trolls being some of the commonly mentioned. Diminutive fairies of one kind or another have been recorded for centuries, but occur alongside the human-sized beings; these have been depicted as ranging in size from very tiny up to the size of a human child.

Pixies are usually depicted as wingless, with pointed ears, and often wearing a green outfit and pointed hat. Sometimes their eyes are described as being pointed upwards at the temple ends.

Pixies are said to enjoy playing tricks on people, for example by stealing their belongings or throwing things at them. At night, they steal horses and bring them back before dawn, leaving only tangled manes as evidence of the prank. Some pixies are said to exude pixie dust, which is left in their footprints or floating behind them as they fly.

One myth states that pixies were a race of people who were not good enough for Heaven or bad enough for Hell and were therefore forced to remain on Earth forever. Another legend claims that they were Druids who resisted Christianity and were subsequently sentenced by God to grow smaller and smaller until they accepted Christianity.

Answer 4

In folklore, pixies (or piskies) are little people with wings who are slightly smaller than fairies. They are approximately four inches tall and are live in gardens. Pixies desire their own plot of land, preferably a garden away from people. They like to work as gardeners, but they will not garden for anyone but themselves. Pixies are in constant conflict for territory with fairies. Fairies are slightly larger and very aggressive.



According to one myth, pixies were originally Druids who resisted Christianity. The myth states that the more they resisted the religion, the smaller they grew.


Pixies generally eat a diet of nectar and pollen and live for approximately fifteen to twenty years. However, there are some myths that state that pixies are immortal. However, pixies are allergic to silver. It burns their skin and can kill them if it gets into their blood.


Pixies are very quick and sneaky. Even though they are small and are often depicted as being very pretty and peaceful, they will not hesitate to kill a fairy in defense of themselves or someone they love. They will also fight to defend their territory.



Pixies love to steal horses and ponies.

A fairy is a tiny immortal being with wings that looks like a person. Fairies are slightly larger than pixies. They are approximately six inches tall. Fairies are said to have magical powers, such as the ability to bestow magical gifts of beauty, wealth, intelligence, and kindness upon newborn children. They are also said to have the ability to change different aspects of nature, such as the weather.

Fairies live on hills, or underwater. Some think they are spiritual beings that live in a world of their own, an Otherworld. Fairies generally eat fruit as well as some cheeses.


Fairies share Pixies' allergic reaction to silver. They can also move very quickly and can become invisible when in the woods.


Fairies like to produce things like shoes and bows. They enjoy music and dancing.


Like Pixies, fairies also keep to themselves and avoid humans, but they occasionally steal household items.


Fairies tend to stay away from cities because like pixies, they prefer wooded areas.

Answer 5

Fairies have wings. I think.
Pixes are more hats and pointed toe shoes

Answer 6

I think pixies are male and female fairies are female and fairies can have wands...yes wings for both... no clue for shoes

Answer 7

Well one major difference is that pixies are made up of all females, while fairies are made up of both sexes...................... I am willing to bet that you did not know that aspect about them.......................................................

Answer 8

pixies are sparkley!