John Miller
Fairy rings, also known as elf circles or pixie rings, are naturally occurring rings or arcs of mushrooms. They are the subject of much folklore and myth worldwide, particularly in Western Europe. Some believe that they are portals to another world, dinner tables for fairies, or signs of a fairy village underground. Others believe that they bring good luck or that they are hazardous places linked with witches or the Devil. Fairy rings have been referenced in works by several Elizabethan poets and playwrights, including William Shakespeare, who alludes to them in *A Midsummer Night's Dream* and *The Tempest*.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Names | Fairy ring, fairy circle, elf circle, elf ring, pixie ring, ronds de sorcières ("witches' circles"), Hexenringe ("witches' rings") |
| Formation | Caused by an individual fungus growing underground and sending out a subterranean network of tubular threads called hyphae. |
| Location | Found in forested areas, grasslands, and rangelands |
| Size | Can grow to over 10 metres (33 ft) in diameter, with some rings reaching up to 600 metres in diameter |
| Folklore and mythology | Believed to be portals to another world, dinner tables for fairies, signs of good luck, or entrances to fairy villages underground. Some believe stepping into a fairy ring can bring bad luck or cause one to become trapped or invisible. |
| Mushroom species | About 60 species can grow in this pattern, including the Scotch bonnet (Marasmius oreades) and the fly agaric (Amanita muscaria). |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Fairy rings and their folklore
Fairy rings, also known as fairy circles, elf circles, elf rings, or pixie rings, are naturally occurring rings or arcs of mushrooms. They are found mainly in forested areas but also appear in grasslands or rangelands. Fairy rings are the subject of much folklore and myth worldwide, particularly in Western Europe.
Folklore
Folklore and myth surround fairy rings, with different beliefs across the world. Some of the most common folklore and myths include:
- Dancing grounds for fairies, elves, or witches: In English, Scandinavian, and Celtic traditions, fairy rings are believed to be the result of dances by fairies, elves, or witches. This idea dates back to at least the medieval period, with the Middle English term "elferingewort" ("elf-ring") being traced back to the 12th century. Swedish writer Olaus Magnus, in his "Historia de Gentibus Septentrionalibus", connected fairy rings to the dancing of elves, saying they were burned into the ground during these dances.
- Witches' circles: In French, fairy rings are called "ronds de sorcières" ("witches' circles"), and in German, they are called "Hexenringe" ("witches' rings"). In German tradition, fairy rings were believed to be the site of witches' dancing on Walpurgis Night.
- Sign of a fairy village underground: Some believe that fairy rings indicate the presence of a fairy village underground.
- Hazardous or dangerous places: Fairy rings are often seen as hazardous or dangerous places, with beliefs that humans entering the circles will be forced to dance with the fairies until they go mad or perish of exhaustion. Some folklore also suggests that stepping into a fairy ring may make you invisible or trap you there forever.
- Devil's milk churn: Dutch superstition claims that the circles show where the Devil set his milk churn. Any livestock that entered this circle would suffer the souring of their milk.
- Dragons: In Austrian and Tyrolean folklore, fairy rings are attributed to the fiery tails of flying dragons. Once a dragon created such a circle, nothing but toadstools could grow there for seven years.
- Good fortune: In contrast to the negative associations, some cultures also believe that fairy rings bring good luck.
In Popular Culture
Fairy rings have also made their way into popular culture, with references in literature and visual depictions. Shakespeare alludes to fairy rings in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Tempest". Fairy rings also feature in works by Elizabethan poets and playwrights. In visual art, fairies are often depicted near the classic amanita muscaria mushroom with its red cap and white freckles. Victorian and Edwardian picture books are also responsible for the pairing of mushrooms and fairies in popular culture.
Foraging Mushrooms: Picking the Right Ones
You may want to see also
Mushrooms in fairy art
Fairy art is a rich and magical genre of art that often includes mushrooms in its depictions. The association of fairies with mushrooms, especially the classic Amanita muscaria with its red cap and white freckles, is a well-known trope in fairy art and children's storybooks. These storybooks often feature tiny fairy houses made from mushrooms, with doors and windows carved into their stalks. This pairing of mushrooms and fairies is largely influenced by Victorian and Edwardian picture books, as well as older stories of fairy rings.
Fairy rings, also known as elf circles or pixie rings, are naturally occurring circles or arcs of mushrooms found in forested areas, grasslands, and rangelands. They are the subject of much folklore and myth worldwide, particularly in Western Europe. In German tradition, fairy rings were believed to mark the site of witches' dancing on Walpurgis Night, while Dutch superstition claimed that the circles showed where the Devil set his milk churn. Fairy rings are also associated with good fortune and are believed to be portals to another world or signs of a fairy village underground.
The magic and mystery surrounding fairy rings have been alluded to by poets and playwrights, including William Shakespeare in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Tempest." In art, fairy rings create a captivating and enchanting setting for fairy depictions, adding to the whimsical nature of the genre. The circular shape of the mushrooms provides a unique frame for the fairies, emphasizing their otherworldly nature.
Artists such as Amy Brown, Ruth Morehead, and Priscilla Hernandez have created enchanting fairy art featuring mushrooms. These artworks capture the magical and whimsical nature of fairies and their association with mushrooms. The use of mushrooms in fairy art adds to the sense of wonder and mystery surrounding these mythical creatures, creating a captivating and enchanting genre that continues to fascinate and inspire artists and audiences alike.
Mushrooms and Dogs: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
The magic of fairy rings
Fairy rings, also known as fairy circles, elf circles, elf rings, or pixie rings, are naturally occurring rings or arcs of mushrooms. They are found mainly in forested areas, but also appear in grasslands or rangelands. They are the subject of much folklore and myth worldwide, particularly in Western Europe. They are often seen as magical or supernatural phenomena, with various beliefs and stories associated with them.
The visual appeal and mysterious nature of fairy rings have captured the imaginations of people for generations. In children's storybooks, tiny fairy houses made from mushrooms with doors and windows carved into their stalks further reinforce the association between fairies and mushrooms. This imagery has become emblematic of fairyland and enchanted woods in popular culture. The idea that fairy rings are magical gathering places for fairies or other supernatural beings adds to their allure and intrigue.
The formation of fairy rings is a natural process driven by the growth of fungi underground. A single fungus grows multiple mycelium, which are underground threads that form a network. Over time, the mycelium pops out of the ground in a circular shape that gradually expands in size. This results in the formation of a ring or arc of mushrooms above the ground. The rings can grow to significant sizes, with some reaching diameters of over 10 metres (33 feet) or even up to 600 metres in rare cases.
While the scientific understanding of fairy ring formation exists, it does not diminish the magical allure and mythical associations that surround these phenomena. The unpredictable nature of their appearance, with no way to know exactly when or where they will emerge, adds to the sense of wonder and mystery. Fairy rings continue to captivate imaginations, inspiring exploration, curiosity, and a connection to the enchanting world of folklore and magic.
Where to Buy Magic Mushrooms: Smoke Shops?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Fairy rings in literature
Fairy rings, also known as fairy circles, elf circles, elf rings, or pixie rings, are naturally occurring rings or arcs of mushrooms. They have been the subject of much folklore and myth worldwide, particularly in Western Europe, with roots in English, Celtic, German, Dutch, and Austrian mythology.
Folklore and Myth
According to English and Celtic mythology, fairy rings are caused by fairies and elves dancing around in a circle at night. If a human were to stumble upon these festivities and enter the fairy ring, they would be forced to dance until they went insane or died from exhaustion. In German folklore, fairy rings are called "Hexenringe" or "Witches' Rings," believed to be places where witches danced in celebration of Walpurgis Night, a festival that welcomes spring. In Dutch mythology, fairy rings are associated with the devil and his milk churn; any livestock that entered the circle would have their milk turn sour. Austrian mythology tells a different tale, claiming that fairy rings are the result of dragons burning circular marks into the forest floor with their fiery tails.
In Literature
Fairy rings have appeared in literature, including works by Elizabethan poets and playwrights, as well as in the works of William Shakespeare. In "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Shakespeare alludes to fairy rings with appreciation:
> "And I serve the fairy queen, / To dew her orbs upon the green... / To dance our ringlets to the whistling wind."
In "The Tempest," Shakespeare also references fairy rings:
> "... you demi-puppets that / By moonshine do the green sour ringlets make, / Whereof the ewe not bites, and you whose pastime / Is to make midnight mushrooms, that rejoice / To hear the solemn curfew ..."
In Arthurian romance "Meraugis de Portlesguez," Raoul de Houdenc describes a scene derived from Celtic fairy-ring lore. The title character visits the Château des Caroles and sees a circle of women and a knight dancing around a pine tree in the castle courtyard. Meraugis is unable to resist joining the dance, only to be freed from the spell ten weeks later when another knight joins the circle and releases him.
Mushrooms: Exploring Their Schedule One Status
You may want to see also
Are fairy rings portals?
Fairy rings, also known as fairy circles, elf circles, elf rings, or pixie rings, are naturally occurring rings or arcs of mushrooms. They are found mainly in forested areas but also appear in grasslands or rangelands. Fairy rings are detectable by sporocarps (fungal spore pods) in rings or arcs, as well as by a necrotic zone (dead grass) or a ring of dark green grass.
Folklore and myth worldwide, particularly in Western Europe, have long associated fairy rings with magical properties. Some cultures believe that they are portals to another world, while others say that the mushrooms are simply used as dinner tables for fairies. There is also the belief that they bring good luck and that they are a sign of a fairy village underground. Another folklore story is that you should never step into a fairy ring, as you may become invisible or become trapped there forever.
In German tradition, fairy rings were thought to mark the site of witches' dancing on Walpurgis Night, and Dutch superstition claimed that the circles show where the Devil set his milk churn. Austrian legends referred to the burning tails of furious dragons that burnt the soil they touched so that only toadstools could grow. For Frenchmen, giant toads guarded the rings and everyone entering them would be cursed.
In Wales, fairy rings were deemed dangerous, and people were warned to keep out of them. It was believed that the fairies made these circles with the tread of their tripping feet, and that misfortune would befall anyone intruding upon this forbidden ground.
While science tells us that fairy rings are a naturally occurring phenomenon, they continue to spark fascination and intrigue, with their perfect circular shapes and associations with folklore and myth.
The Magic of Growing Psychedelic Mushrooms
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A fairy ring, also known as a fairy circle, elf circle, elf ring, or pixie ring, is a naturally occurring ring or arc of mushrooms. They are found mainly in forested areas but can also appear in grasslands or rangelands.
Fairy rings are caused by an individual fungus growing underground. The fungus sprouts lots of small threads, called mycelium, in a circular shape. A year later, the mushrooms pop up out of the ground at the edge of the circle, creating the fairy ring.
Fairy rings have inspired superstitions for centuries. Some cultures believe that they are portals to another world, while others say that the mushrooms are used as dinner tables for fairies. There is also the belief that they bring good luck and that they are a sign of a fairy village underground.
Fairy rings are alternately seen as hazardous or dangerous places linked with witches or the Devil, or as a sign of good fortune. Folklore says that you should never step into a fairy ring, as you may become invisible, be trapped there forever, or be cursed or eaten by a giant toad.
