“Creatures, Sprits and Monsters” from YOUR folklore is the theme for SMA14. But how do these mysterious creatures operate? What are their powers? What food do they eat?? Over the coming weeks and months throughout the entry period, we will publish a series of “Yokai Case Files” on several mythical creatures from around the world to help inspire your manga.
From Shakespeare to Disney, the fairy folk are a rich source of literary inspiration. But are fairies the adorable creatures we are generally led to believe? The answer is much more complex than you’d think. Read on to learn about the darker side of these tiny creatures of European folklore…
Name:
Fairy
Other names:
Fata, Fay, Fae, Fair folk, Faery, Faerie
Country of Origin:
United Kingdom / Western Europe
Dwelling:
Forests; “realm of the fays”
Appearance:
Tiny, human shaped, wings, bad attitude.
Favorite Food:
All manner of forest delights.
Power:
Good old fashioned magic, including “dancing” you to death!
Weakness:
Fairies are essentially mortal, though long lived, so old age or accidental death await the Fairy Folk.
About:
Fairies have been woven into the fabric of Western European, and particularly English folklore since before the Middle Ages.
An ambiguous creature, the Fairy resides in forests and have a direct link to the nature around them. Consequently, certain trees are sacred to Fairies such as the Rowen tree so tread carefully so as not to offend this proud and mischievous race of magical beings.
In Scotland, fairy society can be divided into two “courts” – the “Seelie Court” (beneficent, but still dangerous) and the “Unseelie Court” (downright malicious). The Seelie are more concerned with mischief but be careful not to offend those fairies in the Unseelie Court, for they gain much pleasure in murderous acts.
It is said that if you learn a fairy’s name, then you can summon them for gifts. But this arrangement could backfire, as a fairy is a servant to no-one if it can be helped so expect a vengeful response to your attempts of control!
With appearances in literature, from King Arthur to Peter Pan, art, and movies, the fairy has captured the imagination of generations. But is that by luck or design? Whenever you find yourself in a forest, always keep one eye open… you might not be alone…