by Glenn “Maghnus” Wright
There are numerous stories in Celtic lore regarding the multi-named Faery. There is a strong assumption among the people, “…that one should never refer to the fairies by their name (whether si, or the diminutive and somewhat disparaging síoga, or the English word ‘fairies’.” (hÓgáin, 206) This brought about several circumlocutions such as, na daoine maithe (the good people) or na daoine uaisle (the noble people). Traditionally they have often been referred to as ‘faerie’ or ‘fey’ folk. As with all such tales there are many versions. However, Celtic faeries in Ireland and Scotland are often known as the Sidhe. The name Sidhe (pronounced “shee”) refers to not one type of faerie but to many different varieties of supernatural being. There are many types of Sidhe with many shapes, sizes and powers. These include the daoine sidhe or daoine beaga (the little people), the leprechaun and the bean sidhe (banshee).
The belief is so strong that even today there are places in Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man where you must say ‘Good morning’ to the fairies as you pass by for fear of bad luck. Each branch of faery has a different name as alluded to previously, and they were blamed for drought, disease and kidnappings (especially small boys). All of these beliefs are extant today and are all a part of the faerie stereotype. One of the most notorious is Redcap, also known as a powrie or dunter, is a type of malevolent murderous fairy found in Border Folklore. Redcaps are said to murder travelers who stray into their homes and they then dye their hats with their victims’ blood (from which they get their name). Apparently they must kill regularly, for if the blood staining their hats dries out, they die. He usually takes the form of a short old man with a large mouth full of sharp teeth. His eyes are fiery red and his arms end in talons sharper than those of eagles. He wears iron boots, carries a pikestaff, and wears a red cap upon his head.
History may have changed our perception of faeries, but who is to say which version is correct and which isn’t? Nobody can prove whether small flower faeries or huge Tuatha dé Danann knights are closer to the real faeries. It’s a pleasure, and a privilege, to be shown a snippet of faerie life and if it hasn’t happened to you yet it doesn’t matter. As long as you allow the faeries to tug at your imagination and heart strings, treat them honorably and respectfully, and keep believing you will become ever closer to uncovering the truth about what lives in the mounds and hills.
Bibliography
hÓgáin, Dáithí Ó. The Lore of Ireland. Rochester, NY. 2006. Print
