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• Types of Fae from S–X •
Note: The following definitions are solely based off lore and various cultural mythologies from around the world. Also, do understand that these definitions and annotations are not of my own even if I may agree with the majority of them.
THESE ARE GENERALIZED DEFINITIONS, AND MANY ARE STEREOTYPICAL!!!
[Sources]: Faeriefae; full citations at the bottom of the page.
THESE ARE GENERALIZED DEFINITIONS, AND MANY ARE STEREOTYPICAL!!!
[Sources]: Faeriefae; full citations at the bottom of the page.
S
Salamander - a spirit which lives in fire.
Seelie Court - The Court of the kind and benign faery host, usually seen around twilight in long solemn processions. These faeries help the poor with gifts of corn and bread. These trooping faeries are benevolent towards humans, but will readily avenge any injury or insult. They are a good-natured aristocracy of faeries. They are fond of riding in long solemn processions called faerie Rades. They are believed to be the last of the Tuatha de Danann. Their evil opposite is the Unseelie Court.
Selkies - Also known as the Seal-Faeries, they inhabit the seas around Orkney and Shetland. A female selkie can shed her seal skin and become a beautiful woman. If a human gets ahold of the empty skin, the selkie is forced to become the perfect wife. But he must keep the skin hidden from her since she may return to the sea if she finds it again. The husband then dies of a broken heart. The male selkies create storms and flip boats to take revenge for their kin murdered at the hands of humans.
Shellycoat - He is a Scottish Bogie who haunts streams. He is covered with shells which clink together when he moves. He likes to trick travellers and lead them astray.
Sidhe - (pronounced 'shee') faery people in the folklore of Ireland. Name comes from the mounds or ancient barrows known as sidh where they are said to live and means "people of the (faery) hills". These faeries are described as being aristocrats, beautiful, great size, great age, great power, beautiful musicians, domestic, malevolent if harmed / disturbed, thin , up to six feet in height, handsome, youthful, shadowy, soft-skinned, long flowing hair, and if clothed - blindingly white, and live under faerie hills or on floating islands. Usually these fairies are attracted to those who are beautiful as well as wealthy.
Sithein (sheean) - Ireland, Scotland. Name for the outside of a faery hill or knowe. The inside is called the brugh.
Slaugh, The - name of the Unseelie Court or the evil fairies in the folklore of Scotland. The name means the Host, which is a euphemism to avoid invoking them with the mention of their name and deter them from inflicting harm. They are believed to be the Fallen Angels that roam the midnight skies of the earth searching for lost souls. The Slaugh are also believed to be responsible for causing sickness and death among domestic animals and to lead humans astray.
Sluag - Pronounced 'sloo-ah'. Sluag was the Pictish/Scottish fairy of the Highlands and Host of the Unforgiven Dead. Related to the Irish/Celtic Sluagh.
Snow Queen - faery queen in the folklore of Denmark. She is described as dazzling in her loveliness and as beautiful as the ice crystals themselves. She is the Spirit queen of the ice realm, who travels in the blizzards blown from the Arctic wastes. The Snow Queen will entice mortal men to follow her, but to be loved by her means instant death.
Solitary Fairies - Never trust a solitary faery, they are usually outcasts and renegades. Solitary faeries include Brownies, who may be the exception to the rule, and Leprechauns, Pookas, Banshees, the Fir Darrig, Bogies, Duergars, Brown Man of the Muirs, Shelleycoat, and Nuckelavee.
Spriggans - They are ill-temepered, and ugly little things . They are very small, but are able to inflate to monstrous proportions. They are thought to be the ghosts of giants. They guard the treasure of hills. They are destructive, dangerous, skilled thieves. They have been known to kidnap babies and leave baby Spriggans instead, which are quite repulsive. They also have robbed houses and destroyed crops.
Sprite - A sprite is a kind of faery or elf. Sprite comes from the Latin word spiritus or spirit and once meant “soul” or “ghost.” Sprites are used in many folktales. Sprites are creatures of the element water. They are found only in places where it is serene and cool. They like to play with nymphs or torment butterflies, but the butterflies don’t really mind. Sprites have one very important job, which is going around and changing the colors of a tree’s leaves in Autumn. They have many cans of bright paint in every shade between red and yellow. This makes sure they don’t run out. Sprites are very creative. They are muses, artists, and poets. They are some of the most creative fairies. Some even decide to bond or marry a human or elf and stay with them their whole lives.
Stray Sod - Some faeries appear as though they are merely a part of the grass. If you unwittingly step on them, you will be unable to continue on your way, no matter how well you know the place. This may be what happens when you step funny on lumpy terrain and twist your ankle up.
Stromkarl - a Norwegian musical spirit, like Neck.
Subterranean Faeries - Scotland. Faeries who live in brochs or hills. They travel from place to place at Imbolc, Beltane, Ludhnassadh, and Sanhain in order to change their residences.
Sylph - “Sylph” comes from the Greek word silphe meaning a butterfly or moth. They were first named by the Rosicrucians and Cabalists in their folklore. The sylph is a female spirit of the element of air. These were like invisible angels whose voice could be heard in the wind. Sylphs defend the high mountain peaks and wilderness mountains that are home to them. Sylphs look like tall, lithe humans with huge, feathered wings sprouting from their backs. These wings are almost two times it’s body length, but they fold up behind the sylph. They have large, hawk-like eyes and sharp, angular faces. A sylph can live to be hundreds of years old, often reaching one thousand, but never seeming to grow old. The smaller sylph are sometimes called cherubs or fairies. Sylphs are loners, and are content to fly with the birds.
Salamander - a spirit which lives in fire.
Seelie Court - The Court of the kind and benign faery host, usually seen around twilight in long solemn processions. These faeries help the poor with gifts of corn and bread. These trooping faeries are benevolent towards humans, but will readily avenge any injury or insult. They are a good-natured aristocracy of faeries. They are fond of riding in long solemn processions called faerie Rades. They are believed to be the last of the Tuatha de Danann. Their evil opposite is the Unseelie Court.
Selkies - Also known as the Seal-Faeries, they inhabit the seas around Orkney and Shetland. A female selkie can shed her seal skin and become a beautiful woman. If a human gets ahold of the empty skin, the selkie is forced to become the perfect wife. But he must keep the skin hidden from her since she may return to the sea if she finds it again. The husband then dies of a broken heart. The male selkies create storms and flip boats to take revenge for their kin murdered at the hands of humans.
Shellycoat - He is a Scottish Bogie who haunts streams. He is covered with shells which clink together when he moves. He likes to trick travellers and lead them astray.
Sidhe - (pronounced 'shee') faery people in the folklore of Ireland. Name comes from the mounds or ancient barrows known as sidh where they are said to live and means "people of the (faery) hills". These faeries are described as being aristocrats, beautiful, great size, great age, great power, beautiful musicians, domestic, malevolent if harmed / disturbed, thin , up to six feet in height, handsome, youthful, shadowy, soft-skinned, long flowing hair, and if clothed - blindingly white, and live under faerie hills or on floating islands. Usually these fairies are attracted to those who are beautiful as well as wealthy.
Sithein (sheean) - Ireland, Scotland. Name for the outside of a faery hill or knowe. The inside is called the brugh.
Slaugh, The - name of the Unseelie Court or the evil fairies in the folklore of Scotland. The name means the Host, which is a euphemism to avoid invoking them with the mention of their name and deter them from inflicting harm. They are believed to be the Fallen Angels that roam the midnight skies of the earth searching for lost souls. The Slaugh are also believed to be responsible for causing sickness and death among domestic animals and to lead humans astray.
Sluag - Pronounced 'sloo-ah'. Sluag was the Pictish/Scottish fairy of the Highlands and Host of the Unforgiven Dead. Related to the Irish/Celtic Sluagh.
Snow Queen - faery queen in the folklore of Denmark. She is described as dazzling in her loveliness and as beautiful as the ice crystals themselves. She is the Spirit queen of the ice realm, who travels in the blizzards blown from the Arctic wastes. The Snow Queen will entice mortal men to follow her, but to be loved by her means instant death.
Solitary Fairies - Never trust a solitary faery, they are usually outcasts and renegades. Solitary faeries include Brownies, who may be the exception to the rule, and Leprechauns, Pookas, Banshees, the Fir Darrig, Bogies, Duergars, Brown Man of the Muirs, Shelleycoat, and Nuckelavee.
Spriggans - They are ill-temepered, and ugly little things . They are very small, but are able to inflate to monstrous proportions. They are thought to be the ghosts of giants. They guard the treasure of hills. They are destructive, dangerous, skilled thieves. They have been known to kidnap babies and leave baby Spriggans instead, which are quite repulsive. They also have robbed houses and destroyed crops.
Sprite - A sprite is a kind of faery or elf. Sprite comes from the Latin word spiritus or spirit and once meant “soul” or “ghost.” Sprites are used in many folktales. Sprites are creatures of the element water. They are found only in places where it is serene and cool. They like to play with nymphs or torment butterflies, but the butterflies don’t really mind. Sprites have one very important job, which is going around and changing the colors of a tree’s leaves in Autumn. They have many cans of bright paint in every shade between red and yellow. This makes sure they don’t run out. Sprites are very creative. They are muses, artists, and poets. They are some of the most creative fairies. Some even decide to bond or marry a human or elf and stay with them their whole lives.
Stray Sod - Some faeries appear as though they are merely a part of the grass. If you unwittingly step on them, you will be unable to continue on your way, no matter how well you know the place. This may be what happens when you step funny on lumpy terrain and twist your ankle up.
Stromkarl - a Norwegian musical spirit, like Neck.
Subterranean Faeries - Scotland. Faeries who live in brochs or hills. They travel from place to place at Imbolc, Beltane, Ludhnassadh, and Sanhain in order to change their residences.
Sylph - “Sylph” comes from the Greek word silphe meaning a butterfly or moth. They were first named by the Rosicrucians and Cabalists in their folklore. The sylph is a female spirit of the element of air. These were like invisible angels whose voice could be heard in the wind. Sylphs defend the high mountain peaks and wilderness mountains that are home to them. Sylphs look like tall, lithe humans with huge, feathered wings sprouting from their backs. These wings are almost two times it’s body length, but they fold up behind the sylph. They have large, hawk-like eyes and sharp, angular faces. A sylph can live to be hundreds of years old, often reaching one thousand, but never seeming to grow old. The smaller sylph are sometimes called cherubs or fairies. Sylphs are loners, and are content to fly with the birds.
T
Tangotango - A faery of the heavenly race in Maori myth. When she heard of the handsome young god Tawhaki, she looked for him and found him one night while he was sleeping in the woods. She lay with him night after night until she became pregnant. Then she left and later had a daughter called Arahuta.
Tennin - In Japanese Buddhism, an angel or faery, a heavenly, beautiful person who may appear on a mountain. To meet one, the pilgrim has to climb to the summit.
Tiddy Ones - These are usually groups of influential spirits, rather than individuals. They are generally helpful. Tiddy Mun was often invoked to withdraw flood waters. They have been known to turn quite nasy however and cause harm to children and livestock. Use caution.
Titania - the queen of the faeries, wife of Oberon, king of the faeries, in medieval folklore. Shakespeare introduces both Oberon and Titania, in his play "Midsummer Night’s Dream".
The Tooth Fairy - an American faery who leaves shiny coins in exchange for the freshly shed teeth of little ones. She is known to be somewhat forgetful after the third or fourth tooth, except in the case of the first born child in the family. What she does with her collection of teeth has been the subject of continuing speculation.
Trolls - Scandinavian faeries who hate sunlight.
Trooping Faeries - They can be large or small, friendly or sinister. They tend to wear green jackets and love hunting and riding. The smaller ones make faery rings with their circular dances.
Trows - They are similar to Scandinavian Trous. They detest sunlight. They are often seen dancing the Henking, which apparently is rather lopsided.
Tuatha de Danann - The Children of Danu- pronounced "Tooha day danan"; They once inhabited Ireland and were known for their magickal abilities and intellect. They fled underground to the Hollow Hills and disappeared into the Mists when Ireland was conquered by the Milesians. When they were driven underground, the became the Daoine Sidhe. Their few remaining descendants are believed to make up the Seelie Court. It is thought that a few of the Tuatha fell in love with humans and created children with the "Faery Blood." Anscestors of the Tuatha inhabit the Earth today and are struggling to remember their ancient memories and recover the old ways and magickal talents.
Turehu - A race of fair-haired faeries.
Tylwyth Teg - They are Welsh faeries. They like to kidnap children with long golden hair. They live underground or underwater. They dance and make faerie rings. The faerie maidens often marry humans willingly. They embellish those they favor with rich gifts, but if the gifts are spoken of, they mysteriously disappear. If one wants to court their friendship, they are called Bendith Y Mamau (the Mother's Blessing). The females are called y mamau (the mothers), a title which links them to the pagan Celtic deities, the Matres. Associated with them are the usual traditions of moonlight dance, the supernatural passage of time, the stealing of children, and the substitution of changelings. They are especially interested in children with golden hair. Their favorites they enrich with precious gifts, which disappear when these gifts are spoken of.
Tangotango - A faery of the heavenly race in Maori myth. When she heard of the handsome young god Tawhaki, she looked for him and found him one night while he was sleeping in the woods. She lay with him night after night until she became pregnant. Then she left and later had a daughter called Arahuta.
Tennin - In Japanese Buddhism, an angel or faery, a heavenly, beautiful person who may appear on a mountain. To meet one, the pilgrim has to climb to the summit.
Tiddy Ones - These are usually groups of influential spirits, rather than individuals. They are generally helpful. Tiddy Mun was often invoked to withdraw flood waters. They have been known to turn quite nasy however and cause harm to children and livestock. Use caution.
Titania - the queen of the faeries, wife of Oberon, king of the faeries, in medieval folklore. Shakespeare introduces both Oberon and Titania, in his play "Midsummer Night’s Dream".
The Tooth Fairy - an American faery who leaves shiny coins in exchange for the freshly shed teeth of little ones. She is known to be somewhat forgetful after the third or fourth tooth, except in the case of the first born child in the family. What she does with her collection of teeth has been the subject of continuing speculation.
Trolls - Scandinavian faeries who hate sunlight.
Trooping Faeries - They can be large or small, friendly or sinister. They tend to wear green jackets and love hunting and riding. The smaller ones make faery rings with their circular dances.
Trows - They are similar to Scandinavian Trous. They detest sunlight. They are often seen dancing the Henking, which apparently is rather lopsided.
Tuatha de Danann - The Children of Danu- pronounced "Tooha day danan"; They once inhabited Ireland and were known for their magickal abilities and intellect. They fled underground to the Hollow Hills and disappeared into the Mists when Ireland was conquered by the Milesians. When they were driven underground, the became the Daoine Sidhe. Their few remaining descendants are believed to make up the Seelie Court. It is thought that a few of the Tuatha fell in love with humans and created children with the "Faery Blood." Anscestors of the Tuatha inhabit the Earth today and are struggling to remember their ancient memories and recover the old ways and magickal talents.
Turehu - A race of fair-haired faeries.
Tylwyth Teg - They are Welsh faeries. They like to kidnap children with long golden hair. They live underground or underwater. They dance and make faerie rings. The faerie maidens often marry humans willingly. They embellish those they favor with rich gifts, but if the gifts are spoken of, they mysteriously disappear. If one wants to court their friendship, they are called Bendith Y Mamau (the Mother's Blessing). The females are called y mamau (the mothers), a title which links them to the pagan Celtic deities, the Matres. Associated with them are the usual traditions of moonlight dance, the supernatural passage of time, the stealing of children, and the substitution of changelings. They are especially interested in children with golden hair. Their favorites they enrich with precious gifts, which disappear when these gifts are spoken of.
U
The Unseelie Court - Scotland. Faeries who are never favorable to humans. They are either solitary evil faeries or bands of faeries called the Sluagh who use elf-shot against humans and cattle. They are the opposite of the Seelie Court, being malicious and completely evil. Usually seen around twilight fly around kidnapping people who happen to be in their way. The victims are dragged, beaten and forced to help them in their path of destruction. The evil counterpart of the Seelie Court is always unfavorable towards mankind. The part which flies through the sky at night is called the 'Horde'. Mortals unfortunate enough to cross the Horde's path are taken along for a hell-ride. These poor victims are beaten and pinched and forced to participate in the bizarre nocturnal activities of these creatures.
Un'Dine - a water-nymph.
Urgan - born and christened a mortal, but stolen by the king of the fairies and brought up in elf-land (English folklore).
Urisk - He is a solitary Scottish faerie who haunts pools. He's very lonely and tries to find a friend among the humans, but they run from him since he looks somewhat frightening. A Water Elemental who appears as half-human, half-goat; associated with waterfalls.
The Unseelie Court - Scotland. Faeries who are never favorable to humans. They are either solitary evil faeries or bands of faeries called the Sluagh who use elf-shot against humans and cattle. They are the opposite of the Seelie Court, being malicious and completely evil. Usually seen around twilight fly around kidnapping people who happen to be in their way. The victims are dragged, beaten and forced to help them in their path of destruction. The evil counterpart of the Seelie Court is always unfavorable towards mankind. The part which flies through the sky at night is called the 'Horde'. Mortals unfortunate enough to cross the Horde's path are taken along for a hell-ride. These poor victims are beaten and pinched and forced to participate in the bizarre nocturnal activities of these creatures.
Un'Dine - a water-nymph.
Urgan - born and christened a mortal, but stolen by the king of the fairies and brought up in elf-land (English folklore).
Urisk - He is a solitary Scottish faerie who haunts pools. He's very lonely and tries to find a friend among the humans, but they run from him since he looks somewhat frightening. A Water Elemental who appears as half-human, half-goat; associated with waterfalls.
V
Verry Volk - Wales. In some parts of Wales Tylwyth Teg is never used to describe faeries; Verry Volk is used instead. Verry Volk were always little people who dressed inscarlet and green; and they generally showed themselves dancing on moonlit nights. By nature they are benevolent.
Verry Volk - Wales. In some parts of Wales Tylwyth Teg is never used to describe faeries; Verry Volk is used instead. Verry Volk were always little people who dressed inscarlet and green; and they generally showed themselves dancing on moonlit nights. By nature they are benevolent.
W
The Water Leaper - They prey on Welsh fishermen. (Artist drew it to look somewhat like a toad with bat's wings and a snake-like, barb-ended tail.)
Wee Folk - Scottish and Irish nickname for faeries.
White Lady - of the royal family of Prussia. A “spirit” said to appear before the death of one of the family. Many explanations for White Ladies exist. One is that they are the direct descendants of the Tuatha de Danann. Another is that they are merely ghosts. The name "Guinevere" means "white phantom".They may be female Gentry (see entry) or the Tuatha who vanished into the Mists.
White Lady of Ireland - the banshee or domestic spirit of a family.
White Merle - of the old Basques. A white fairy bird, which, by its singing, restored sight to the blind.
Wichtlein - This is a Southern German faerie who announces the death of a miner by tapping three times. Digging and other miner imitations are warning of pending disaster.
Wight - any human creature, as a “Highland wight.” Dwarfs and all other fairy creatures.
The Wild Hunt - The night hunt by the Sluagh with their terrible hounds. They are said to kidnap humans they encounter during their rides.
Will-O'-The-Wisp - a spirit of the bogs, whose delight is to mislead belated travellers.
Wraith - the ghost of a person shortly about to die or just dead, which appears to survivors, sometimes at a great distance off.
The Water Leaper - They prey on Welsh fishermen. (Artist drew it to look somewhat like a toad with bat's wings and a snake-like, barb-ended tail.)
Wee Folk - Scottish and Irish nickname for faeries.
White Lady - of the royal family of Prussia. A “spirit” said to appear before the death of one of the family. Many explanations for White Ladies exist. One is that they are the direct descendants of the Tuatha de Danann. Another is that they are merely ghosts. The name "Guinevere" means "white phantom".They may be female Gentry (see entry) or the Tuatha who vanished into the Mists.
White Lady of Ireland - the banshee or domestic spirit of a family.
White Merle - of the old Basques. A white fairy bird, which, by its singing, restored sight to the blind.
Wichtlein - This is a Southern German faerie who announces the death of a miner by tapping three times. Digging and other miner imitations are warning of pending disaster.
Wight - any human creature, as a “Highland wight.” Dwarfs and all other fairy creatures.
The Wild Hunt - The night hunt by the Sluagh with their terrible hounds. They are said to kidnap humans they encounter during their rides.
Will-O'-The-Wisp - a spirit of the bogs, whose delight is to mislead belated travellers.
Wraith - the ghost of a person shortly about to die or just dead, which appears to survivors, sometimes at a great distance off.
X
Xanas - A kind of nymphs or faeries of Asturias, they are derived from Celtic mythology. They live near streams, and spend their day singing beautiful tunes and combing their wonderful hair.
Xanas - A kind of nymphs or faeries of Asturias, they are derived from Celtic mythology. They live near streams, and spend their day singing beautiful tunes and combing their wonderful hair.
Fairy and other Spirits - Definitions. 2000. Fairies, Faeries, Fairys at LaLa's Land. 17 Jan. 2012. http://faeriefae.50megs.com/fairies_defined.htm