Do elves and fairies wander around LMAC land this week? How can they not? The photo @shaka offered as a template is so evocative of elfin mischief that I found the lure irresistible.
Shaka's Photo
Every culture has its myths. Call this folklore, call it fairy tails, call it legend. The esteemed mythologist, Joseph Campbell explained, "...myths bring humans to understand and accept birth, growth and death".
The website, First Things, (from the Institute on Religion and Public Life) speculates that perhaps, "Analogically, 'fairy stories' encapsulate metaphysical truths...there is no necessary 'logical' connection between cause and effect...the universe is not...subject everywhere to the very same natural laws".
Whatever the reason, people from many cultures and belief systems welcome the idea of fairies. In this blog I'm going to offer a few examples of how people see fairies in different parts of the world.
Elves, Fairies and Sprites
Elves, Fairies and SpritesWhen I think of fairies, the first place that comes to my mind is Ireland.
Image credit: from the "Book of Fairies and Elves" (1918) by Frances Jenkins Olcott. Illustrated by Milo Winter. A Project Guttenberg book, public domain.
It has been said that W. B. Yeats (Nobel Prize-winning Irish poet) believed in the existence of fairies and collected fairy stories from people in the countryside, especially from elderly woman. These reporters he saw as the true keepers of Irish lore.
Among Irish fairies well-known to the world are leprechauns. These little fellows (leprechauns apparently are only male) are, unmistakably, a symbol of Irish tradition.
According to mymodernmet.com, leprechaun legend may be traced back to the eighth century. One story from that century is cited, The Death of Fergus mac Leiti, which tells of a king who is tricked by water sprites. The concept of three wishes arises in this story.
For centuries, leprechauns wore red clothing, but over time this changed to green. Eventually, an association between leprechauns, rainbows and pots of gold evolved.
A leprechaun may be your friend, or your foe. You do not want to irritate the little fellows or they will bring much mischief on your head.
Mount Horai, Japan, Where Fairies Reside
Image credit: Hirai Baisen, 1930. Public domain.
No one has ever visited Mt. Horai, because it is a mythical place. However, tradition has it that the people who live there are quite small. They have tiny bowls to eat from, and tiny homes. The fairies of Mt. Horai have no knowledge of evil and their hearts never grow old. Though they themselves may die, they never suffer.
El Duende, From Latin American, Iberian, and Filipino Folklore
Image credit: Franisco Goya, 1799. Public domain
According to the website Owlcation, the tradition of El Duende has been handed down to children across Latin America for generations. Parents warn children that this gnome-like creature lives in the forest and lurks behind the walls of homes. El Duende may come to trim the toenails of slovenly children, and sometimes may take the whole toe along with the nail. And yet, El Duende is reported to have a good side. This dual nature may be seen in many mythical fairies. Children may be told that if they get lost in the forest, El Duende will guide them home.
One website, Paranormal Encounters, offers this sinister bit of lore: El Duende sometimes barters with mothers for children so the goblin may make a meal of them.
Menehune, Hawaii
Image credit: D. Howard Hitchcock, 1924. Public domain
According to legend, Menehune are very small fairies, between six inches and two feet tall. The website tohawaii.com explains that these 'little people' are believed to have inhabited the Hawaiian islands long before Polynesian settlers arrived.
The Menehune are mischievous and extremely skilled at crafts, such as building. They enjoy dancing, singing and archery. Favorite foods: bananas and fish. To some people on the Hawaiian islands, these fairies are not imaginary. They are believed to exist and to exert influence on human activities.
Huldufólk (Hidden People), Iceland
Image credit: George Pearson(1815-1876). Public domain
This engraving shows Hildur, Queen of the Elves, as she is making her yearly visit to the Kingdom of the Elves. In Iceland, elves are serious business. A BBC article in 2007 reported on a poll that revealed 62% of Icelanders "...believe that the existence of elves is more than a fairy tale". The article describes the elves as "interdimensional, human-like" beings". Huldufólk are peaceful and helpful. Still, according to the Baltimore Sun, Icelanders do not want to offend their elves. Roads are rerouted and plans for homes changed, if it is believed elves might be disturbed.
My Collage
In making my collage I was a little like a goblin. I borrowed bits from digital pictures I'd previously drawn and put these bits together in a way that made sense (to me). The pictures from which I borrowed were not 'realistic'. They were impressions.
The flower heads
were taken from this picture
The miniature white tree and stems for the flowers were taken from this picture:
The elves came from this picture also. I just added green skin and pointy everything to make the figures look elf-like. By the way, my elves are nice :)
The well came from this picture:
Elves and fairies have a long association with wells. It has been said that some elves live under wells, so I thought this might be a fitting addition to the collage.
@shaka offered us a perfect picture this week, one that was magical, in my view. The elves were inevitable. It was fun making this. I'm a little embarrassed to be showing my very, very naive personal pictures, but I think the selected elements fit in a forgiving, magical collage. Elves are not perfect :)
If you are just learning about LMAC, then I invite you to check out @shaka's blog. There you will find many collages that reflect an amazing array of creativity. LMAC is the most welcoming community. There are no bars to participation. As you can see from my collage, not everyone is an artist, but everyone has fun. There are prizes, but this is not the lure. The lure is the community and the creative adventure. And, there is an #LMAC collage school, taught by the incredibly talented and patient @quantumg:)
Thank you, @shaka, once again for extending the invitation to create. It's a great pleasure, every time I try my hand at one of these.
