A fairy is a creature based on the folklore belief of the Western Europeans during the medieval times. Fairies were generally described to have a human appearance with wings. They are said to have the ability to fly and have magical powers that allow them to cast spells and even predict the future. Some folklore beliefs also identify fairies with other magical creatures such as goblins and gnomes.
Fairies do not have definitive roots to their origin. There have been a variety of explanations and stories that were based on different cultural beliefs and practices. One popular tale was that fairies were really dead or a subclass of the dead. Fairies in some tales were called a banshee or a harbinger of death.
In alchemy, fairies were neither humans nor angels, but instead, they were considered elementals like gnomes and undines. They were said to be the elementals of air, which possesses certain powers.
Another popular tale about the origins of fairies recount that fairies were demoted angels. According to this story, when the angels revolted, God ordered the Gates of Heaven closed. Those that decided to stay in heaven with God remained angels. Those who were bad stayed in Hell and became devils, while those who were said to have been caught in between became fairies. Fairies were said to have been thrown out of heaven as they were not good enough but they were also not as evil as the devils. This story was actually the root of the tradition that fairies had to pay a teind or tithe to Hell.
With the growth of Puritanism, another story came up saying that fairies were entirely devils. During this era, dealing with fairies was a form of witchcraft. This was considered a serious offense and the individual was then punished.
Your Popup Blocker Must Be Off