Faeries in Greek Lore
Greek lore is filled with otherwordly beings called "ξωτικά" (elves), "ξωθιές" (fae), "νεράιδες" (fairies), "αερικά" (ethereal ones) and many other names. Some are benevolent and beautiful, like the nymphs while others are vile and hideous like the Lamia (a serpentine female being that killed children whose cries it heard).
Some are beautiful and dangerous like the Fae that dance at the crossroads at nights until a black-feathered rooster's crowing forced them to vanish. Those will often ensnare in their dance anyone that passes by and take their voice if they speak to them.
Local fairies will most probably be friendly to you while foreign ones will be hostile. The fae here are infamous for "changing children": they take human babies either to leave their own ugly babies in their place (changelings - γεραγιδόσποροι or μιλιγανοπαίδια in Greek meaning "ugly seeds" and "sly children" respectively) or to use their blood as a means to initiate birth in a pregnant fairy.
Fairies are usually deceptive and sly, trying to trick those who see them or get involved in their matters though adequate knowledge of the old remedies and secrets of rural lore can aid the one in danger. In folklore you can force a fairy to be honest and helpful by saying the final word in every conversation (especially if it rhymes), take their veil (which forces them to obey your every order and if you're a man, marry you) or have a four-leaf clover on you so they won't "take your mind" (Gk. νεραϊδοπαρμένος - fairy-taken).
Those fairies that reside in springs and healing waters will provide healing and aid if one approaches them with silence and reverence.
Fairies must not be angered (and some of the ways to subdue them do anger them) because not only will they extract their favour (if any) but they will also become rather hostile towards the one(s) that angered them.
Salt and iron are common means to defend against fairies. Certain 'sacred' herbs and plants also guard one from fairies (or attract them to you), though most vary depending on the local lore.
According to lore here, if one is greeted by a fairy other than those that steal one's voice, the person greeted must reply in a specific fashion (one of the most common greetings found in lore says "Welcome lady so fair / with bright golden hair. / Blessed be beautiful lady / your grace and favour unto me."). A very famous fae of Greek lore is the mermaid called "Alexander the Great's Sister" who asks sailors whether her brother is "alive and ruling". She is believed to sink the ships of those who respond that he has died while she leaves alone (or occasionally rewards) those that reply to her that he's "alive and powerful, his reign ever-expanding".
Legend has it that not everyone can see the fae if they do not wish to be seen (with some exceptions). Those who have been born "under the Saturday's shade" (Gk. σαββατογεννημένοι - Saturday-born) or have "a light shadow" (Gk. αλαφροΐσκιωτοι - light-shadowed ones) are able to see fairies regardless of the fairies' wishes (and often this is a "plot device" for many legends: such a charismatic person happens to stumble upon an alarming incident regarding a fairy's actions) or at the very least, sense them more acutely.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Sutra..again. on -
Above you mentioned the fae could "ensnare people in their dance." It immediately brought to mind a story I remembered reading about what is known now as The Dancing Plague of 1518. In that year, (appropriately named then) I believe it was in France, People began to dance. After a month most were dead from exaustion or heart attack. Hundreds of people. It's believed to be a case of mass hysteria. This just made me wonder if there is another explanation.
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Permalink Reply by Jen {Teh Pixie} on -
Wonderful Post Stef,
Sorry it took me so long to get to reading this, been busy lol! Anyways, most of what you said is true with most Fae lore around the world. Now I read a crap load of Irish/Scottish/Welsh Fae lore as well as a couple stories in the Scandinavian area...Same thing is true. Best to veer away from dancing Fae if one should happen upon them, avoid Faerie Rings (Ring of Mushrooms, usually around the base of a tree). Iron and Salt are the more common uses to keep the Fae at bay.
Changlings are very very very prominent in Celtic Fae lore as well, and there's a story on how to get your child back if you happen to have a changling, but I don't remember it off the top of my head, I know it involved boiling water in an eggshell half, and the Changling would reveal it's knowledge by speaking. Then the Changling would be tossed into the fire, transform into a block of wood and by morning the real child would be returned.
Another thing that I'm amazed that holds true in all lore around the world is the sight, if one can see the Fae, it's not wise to draw their attention. They aren't all love and light, The Fae are first and for most mischeivous and love to toy with humans, if one openly admits to seeing the fae they are brought to the Seelie or UnSeelie Court and never seen again. Getting an answer out of the Fae is also extremely difficult, they never give straight answers, they like to run one around in circles until they are so confused, they forget what they asked.
I'd also like to add another way to get the Fae's to be straightforward is to learn their full name, for by having their full name you have power over them and they must obey you.
Okay done for now, and I'm still working on a post, debating if I want to do a post on the different tales/names/etc on trolls or something else...gimme an Idea and I'll run with it :)
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Permalink Reply by Tambyr (Rissa) on -
"Local fairies will most probably be friendly to you while foreign ones will be hostile. The fae here are infamous for "changing children": they take human babies either to leave their own ugly babies in their place (changelings - γεραγιδόσποροι or μιλιγανοπαίδια in Greek meaning "ugly seeds" and "sly children" respectively) or to use their blood as a means to initiate birth in a pregnant fairy."
I read a book a looooooong time ago about a girl who was switched at birth with a faerie.. it was quite interesting. They also talked about the Faerie court that appears under a hill only a few times a year, the "Sidhe" and some other things... I believe it was "Tithe" by Holly Black. I was not aware that the story was based on actual legend. :)
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Permalink Reply by Jen {Teh Pixie} on
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I read that book, was very good...if you liked that one, you should read the Wicked Lovely Series by Melissa Marr....now Holly Black's books are a little more on the darker side of Fae, but Marr's books can be too, but her books show how wide and broad the courts are...there isn't just a Good Fae/Bad Fae court....btw, I have yet to finish Valient by Holly Black LOL!
Tambyr (Rissa) said:"Local fairies will most probably be friendly to you while foreign ones will be hostile. The fae here are infamous for "changing children": they take human babies either to leave their own ugly babies in their place (changelings - γεραγιδόσποροι or μιλιγανοπαίδια in Greek meaning "ugly seeds" and "sly children" respectively) or to use their blood as a means to initiate birth in a pregnant fairy."
I read a book a looooooong time ago about a girl who was switched at birth with a faerie.. it was quite interesting. They also talked about the Faerie court that appears under a hill only a few times a year, the "Sidhe" and some other things... I believe it was "Tithe" by Holly Black. I was not aware that the story was based on actual legend. :)
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Permalink Reply by Tambyr (Rissa) on
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Sorry, I know this is off topic, but I haven't started Valiant yet. I have it though.
Alright, enough book talk before they get mad at us. :)
Jen {The Pesky Pixie} said:I read that book, was very good...if you liked that one, you should read the Wicked Lovely Series by Melissa Marr....now Holly Black's books are a little more on the darker side of Fae, but Marr's books can be too, but her books show how wide and broad the courts are...there isn't just a Good Fae/Bad Fae court....btw, I have yet to finish Valient by Holly Black LOL!
Tambyr (Rissa) said:"Local fairies will most probably be friendly to you while foreign ones will be hostile. The fae here are infamous for "changing children": they take human babies either to leave their own ugly babies in their place (changelings - γεραγιδόσποροι or μιλιγανοπαίδια in Greek meaning "ugly seeds" and "sly children" respectively) or to use their blood as a means to initiate birth in a pregnant fairy."
I read a book a looooooong time ago about a girl who was switched at birth with a faerie.. it was quite interesting. They also talked about the Faerie court that appears under a hill only a few times a year, the "Sidhe" and some other things... I believe it was "Tithe" by Holly Black. I was not aware that the story was based on actual legend.
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