Emma Wilson
Fairy rings, also known as fairy circles, elf circles, elf rings or pixie rings, are naturally occurring rings or arcs of mushrooms, mainly found in forested areas but also in grasslands and rangelands. They have been the subject of much folklore and myth worldwide, especially in Western Europe. The folklore surrounding fairy rings varies across cultures, with different beliefs about their origins and what happens to those who enter them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Fairy ring, fairy circle, elf circle, elf ring, pixie ring, sorcerer's ring, witches' rings |
| Locations | Fields, lawns, forests, grasslands, rangelands |
| Associated with | Fairies, elves, witches, pixies, dragons, dwarves, other magical beings |
| Folklore | Dancing, playing, portals to another world, good luck, bad luck, hidden treasure, dangerous, deadly |
| Superstitions/Warnings | Do not enter, do not till/dig/mow, do not eat vegetation, do not join the dance |
| Consequences | Lose an eye, go mad, perish of exhaustion, transported to fairy realm, cursed, livestock's milk sours |
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What You'll Learn
Fairies, elves, witches, and other magical beings dance in them
For thousands of years, fairy rings have been regarded with a strong sense of curiosity and fear, believed to be mystical places where fairies, elves, witches, and other magical beings dance and play. In English, Scandinavian, and Celtic folklore, fairy rings are caused by fairies, elves, or pixies dancing in a circle. In German folklore, fairy rings are called Hexenringe, or "witches' rings", and were believed to be places where witches gathered and danced to celebrate Walpurgis Night, a festival that welcomes the beginning of spring. In Tyrol, folklore attributed fairy rings to the fiery tails of flying dragons, and in French tradition, fairy rings were guarded by giant bug-eyed toads that cursed those who violated the circles.
The belief that fairy rings are created by dancing magical creatures dates back to at least the medieval period, as evidenced by the Middle English term "elferingewort" ("elf-ring"), which refers to a ring of daisies caused by elves' dancing. Victorian folklorists regarded fairies and witches as related, based on the idea that both were believed to dance in circles, especially during moonlit nights. These revels were believed to be visible to mortals only the following morning.
Fairy rings are often considered dangerous places for humans to enter. In English and Celtic folklore, it is said that if a human joins the dance, they will be punished by the fairies and made to dance until they pass out from exhaustion or perish. Other legends warn that a human who enters a fairy ring will be forced to dance with the creatures, unable to stop until they go mad or die. Some believe that stepping into a fairy ring can transport you to the fairy realm or make you invisible or trapped forever. However, not all myths surrounding fairy rings are dark. Some legends say that fairy rings bring good luck, improve fertility, and are a sign of a fairy village underground.
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They are portals to the fairy realm
For centuries, fairy rings have been regarded with a strong sense of curiosity and fear, believed to be mystical and supernatural places. They are often seen as portals to the fairy realm, with countless etiological tales and superstitions about these often perfectly circular arrangements of mushrooms.
In many European cultures, it was believed that stepping into a fairy ring would result in transportation to the fairy realm, with deadly serious consequences. In Northumberland, England, tradition states that one must run around the ring nine times under the full moon, and adding a tenth circle would bring evil upon the runner. In Welsh folklore, it is said that entering a fairy ring could result in becoming trapped there forever, or even becoming invisible. These beliefs persisted into the 19th century, with warnings of otherworldly presences and dark forces passed down through generations.
The idea of fairy rings as portals is further supported by the belief that they are created by supernatural beings. In English, Scandinavian, and Celtic folklore, fairy rings were caused by fairies or elves dancing in a circle. In German folklore, fairy rings were associated with witches, while Dutch legends attributed them to the Devil and his milk churn. French tradition claimed that fairy rings were guarded by giant, bug-eyed toads that cursed intruders. These varying beliefs highlight the significance of fairy rings as liminal spaces between our world and the fairy realm.
The magical and other-worldly nature of fairy rings has inspired wonder and caution for generations. While some cultures viewed them as dangerous places to be avoided, others believed they brought good luck and improved fertility and fortune. Despite modern scientific understanding, the folklore and mythology surrounding fairy rings continue to spark imaginations, keeping their mystical reputation alive.
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Dragons burned them into the ground
Fairy rings, or naturally occurring arcs and rings of mushrooms, have been the subject of much folklore and myth worldwide, especially in Western Europe. In Tyrol, Austria, folklore attributes fairy rings to the fiery tails of flying dragons. According to this belief, once a dragon created such a circle, nothing but toadstools could grow there for seven years.
The belief that dragons burned fairy rings into the ground is also supported by other sources. For instance, in his History of the Goths (1628), Swedish writer Olaus Magnus claims that fairy rings are burned into the ground by dancing. Additionally, Austrian legends also claim that fairy rings were the work of dragons.
The belief that dragons burned fairy rings into the ground with their fiery tails is just one of many mythical explanations for the phenomenon of fairy rings. Other legends from across Europe and beyond attribute fairy rings to the presence and activities of witches, fairies, elves, and other magical beings.
Fairy rings have traditionally been regarded with a strong sense of curiosity and fear, believed to be mystical and supernatural places. They have been seen as both good and bad luck, with some cultures believing they bring good luck and are a sign of a fairy village underground, while others warn against entering a fairy ring, associating it with various negative consequences.
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They are lucky and a sign of a fairy village underground
Fairy rings, also known as fairy circles, elf circles, or pixie rings, are a naturally occurring phenomenon of mushrooms that grow in a ring or arc formation. They are found mainly in forested areas but can also appear in grasslands or rangelands. These rings have sparked curiosity and inspired folklore and superstitions worldwide, especially in Western Europe.
While some cultures view fairy rings with fear and associate them with witches, the Devil, or other dark forces, others consider them a sign of good luck and fortune. In Welsh folklore, for example, it is believed that fairy rings signify an underground fairy village. While it is considered unlucky to enter these rings, it is thought to bring good fortune to grow crops around them and allow livestock to feed nearby, improving fertility and fortune.
In Switzerland and Russia, fairy rings are linked to hidden treasure guarded by fairies or witches. Similarly, German folklore holds that fairy rings, known as Hexenringe or "witches' rings," are places where witches gather to dance and celebrate Walpurgis Night, a festival marking the beginning of spring.
The idea that fairy rings are created by dancing fairies or elves is prevalent in English, Scandinavian, and Celtic folklore. These dances are typically associated with moonlit nights, and the rings become visible to mortals the following morning. According to the legend of Llewellyn and Rhys, time passes differently in the fairy world, and a person dancing in a fairy ring for minutes might find that days or weeks have passed in the human realm.
Fairy rings continue to capture the imagination, appearing in art, literature, and even video games. Despite scientific explanations for these phenomena, the magical and mystical associations persist, adding a touch of wonder to the natural world.
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They are dangerous places, linked with witches or the Devil
Fairy rings, also known as fairy circles, elf circles, or pixie rings, have been regarded with a strong sense of curiosity and fear for thousands of years. They are often seen as dangerous places linked with witches or the Devil.
In German folklore, fairy rings are called Hexenringe, or "witches' rings," and are believed to be places where witches gather and dance. German tradition holds that fairy rings mark the site of witches' dancing on Walpurgis Night, a festival that welcomes the beginning of spring. Similarly, in French, fairy rings are called "sorcerers' rings," and in Welsh, cylch y Tylwyth Teg, suggesting a connection to magic and the supernatural.
Old Dutch superstitions also associate fairy rings with the Devil, claiming that the rings are where the Devil churns his milk, and any livestock that enters the circle will have its milk soured. In addition, the barren centre of the ring in a fairy ring is attributed to the Devil placing his milk churn there.
Fairy rings are further linked to witches and the Devil in English, Scandinavian, and Celtic folklore, where they are often believed to be caused by witches or other supernatural creatures. These beliefs persisted into the 19th century, along with warnings against entering a fairy circle, as it was thought that humans who entered would be transported to the fairy realm or face certain doom.
Fairy rings are regarded with a mix of awe and fear due to their association with magic and otherworldly phenomena. They are seen as portals to another world or as places where time flows differently, with legends warning of deadly consequences for those who dare to enter or disrupt the realm of fairies.
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Frequently asked questions
Fairy rings, also known as fairy circles, elf circles, or pixie rings, are naturally occurring rings or arcs of mushrooms. They are mainly found in forested areas but can also appear in grasslands or rangelands.
In English, Scandinavian, and Celtic folklore, fairy rings are believed to be caused by fairies, elves, or pixies dancing in a circle. The legends warn against humans disrupting or joining the dance, or they will be punished.
It depends on the culture. In some traditions, fairy rings are considered lucky, bringing good fortune and improved fertility. In other traditions, they are considered unlucky, serving as a warning against witches or the Devil, or as a portal to another world.
German folklore refers to fairy rings as "Hexenringe" or "witches' rings", marking the site where witches gather and dance. Dutch superstitions claim that the rings are where the Devil churns his milk. Austrian and Tyrol folklore attribute fairy rings to dragons, burning them into the ground with their fiery tails. Welsh folklore considers fairy rings as locations of fertility and fortune, while also warning against entering them.
No, fairy rings can also form arcs. They typically start off small and grow bigger over time as the fungus grows and seeks food underground.
