Fairies. These mischievous, magical beings have captivated minds for centuries. From the Tooth Fairy to Tinker Bell, fairies have woven their way into folklore, literature, art and pop-culture, and are still a big topic today. Let's dive into the enchanting world of fairies and explore their enduring influence.

Fairy folklore and tradition

Stories of fairies have been around for hundreds - if not thousands - of years. They aren't always described with the iconic features that we usually associate with them; goblins, gnomes, pixies and sprites can all fall under the same umbrella. Most folklore tales about fairies describe them as being tricksters, and sometimes malicious if angered or offended. To avoid the wrath of fairies and to keep them happy, many traditions and superstitions arose. Some of these tales, traditions and superstitions have carried through to today.

The Tooth Fairy
The story of the Tooth Fairy dates back centuries, with some people believing it to be rooted in a Nordic tradition called "tand-fe" (which translates to "tooth fee"). Before going to war or going on travels, Vikings would carry the baby teeth of their children, or make necklaces from them for protection. Another origin story dates back to 17th century Europe, where it was believed that putting a child's milk tooth under a tree would promote the growth of the adult tooth. The earliest recordings of the Tooth Fairy took the form of a little mouse who would leave gifts in exchange for the teeth. The magical, winged creature we imagine today is believed to have come from French and Italian culture, and is still loved by families across the globe today. It is now seen as a way to celebrate a significant milestone in a child's life.

The Brownies
Although they are described as baring a closer resemblance to goblins, brownies (or broonies if you're Scottish) originate from Scottish folklore. These magical creatures, often described as ugly and hairy, are house spirits who come out at night to help with household chores while families sleep, but only if you leave them an offering such as cream or milk. They can be mischievous and, if angered or offended, will leave your home forever.

Fairy rings
Fairy rings are circular arrangements of mushrooms, commonly found in fields and meadows. It is believed by some that fairy rings were the dancefloors for fairies at night. Others believe that they could be portals to another dimension, or that they're a sign of a fairy village underground. But, it is believed by most that stepping into a fairy ring can bring bad luck - or even cause you to die at a young age. There are many folklore tales about people stepping into these rings and getting trapped, and the only way to be released from it is through outside intervention.

Fairy fortunes
It has been said by some that fairies can bring good luck to the household, but they can also bring misfortune. In British folklore, one of the ways to keep the wrath of the fairies at bay was to leave offerings of milk or cream for them.

Fairies in culture

Fairies have been the subject of many authors, artists and playwrights throughout history, and became increasingly popular in the UK during the Victorian era. With the growth of industrialisation, there became social unrest due to overcrowding, bad sanitation and other environmental changes. During this time, there was a resurgence of interest in nature and the supernatural as a way to escape. Due to their association with nature and fantasy, the subject of fairies started to gain more popularity with artists. John Anster Fitzgerald, a Victorian painter, was a huge fan of them - he was even nicknamed "Fairy Fitzgerald" after his works. Richard Dadd was another prominent fairy artist during the Victorian era. These artworks often depicted the darker side to fairies, with scenes of trickery, temptation and manipulation.

During the turn of the 20th century, their popularity continued, thanks to the likes of J M Barrie and Cicely Mary Barker. The dark side to fairies began to fade, and they started to become associated with playfulness and innocence, rather than trickery and misfortune. Barrie's depiction of Tinker Bell in Peter Pan, followed by Disney's portrayal of the character several decades later, became one of the most iconic fairy characters in popular culture. Tinker Bell's playful nature and use of trickery for good represented a change in the perception of fairies, and is still loved by many today.

Cicely Mary Barker's belovedFlower Fairies book series feature delicate illustrations of fairies inspired by different flowers and trees. These fairies take the form of young children, showing the innocence of these enchanting creatures. Paired with playful poems of the fairies, these books became a staple in the bookshelves of children, capturing the hearts of children and adults alike.

Hoaxes

As we have explored already, fairies have been a huge inspiration for many. But, there have been people who take it that one step further. Let's explore a couple of fairy hoax cases that swept the nation.

The Cottingley Fairies

One of the most popular and well-known fairy hoaxes is the Cottingley fairy photographs. One day in 1917, two young cousins, Elsie and Frances, were playing in Elsie's garden, before running back into the house to tell their parents. Elsie's father then photographed fairies in their garden. The photos sparked a media frenzy, with many believing in the authenticity of the images. Back then, photographs were seen as truth and evidence of events happening in real time, and this photograph was no exception (to be honest, they do look pretty believable).

For example, the first ever staged photograph was taken by one of the pioneering photographers, Hippolyte Bayard. His photograph, Self Portrait as a Drowned Man caused quite a stir when it came out, with the majority of people believing he had committed suicide. But the image wouldn't exist if he was already dead. The shutter - or cable release - would have needed pressing, the plate needing processing, and he certainly wouldn't have been able to write the suicide note too. But, because photographs were viewed as reality, people didn't take those things into account. Anyway- back to the Cottingley fairies.

The photos were examined by experts of the time; some saying they were authentic and others noticed inconsistencies. However, it wasn't until the 1980s (over 60 years later!) when Elsie admitted that the photos were staged, using cut-out figures of fairies, dubbing the Cottingley fairies as one of the greatest hoaxes of all time - even fooling Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of the Sherlock Holmes books. Despite admitting to staging the photographs, Frances insisted that her and her cousin did see fairies in the garden.

The Derbyshire Fairy

Another interesting one is the Derbyshire fairy. A few days before April Fools Day in 2007 (you might know where this is going), a supposed "mummified fairy" discovered in the Derbyshire countryside, took the headlines by storm. This tiny, winged creature caused a stir amongst the nation, with many believing it to be distinct proof of fairies. However, it was later revealed to have been a skilfully crafted, April Fools Day hoax by artist Dan Baines (who much prefers the term 'illusion'). He wrote: "Even if you believe in fairies, as I personally do, there will always have been an element of doubt in your mind that would suggest the remains are a hoax. However, the magic created by the possibility of the fairy being real is something you will remember for the rest of your life."

Find out more about the Derbyshire fairy over on Dan's website: Derbyshire Mummified Fairy

Although no concrete evidence exists to prove that fairies are real, many people still believe in them. After all, their enduring presence in ancient folklore and superstition certainly suggests that it's more than merely a fantasy. From enchanting tales to elaborate hoaxes, the allure of these mythical creatures continues to captivate our imaginations. Whether you believe in their existence or not, fairies serve as a reminder of the power of imagination and the human desire to connect with something beyond the ordinary.