The Enchanting Fairies of Celtic Lore | Monstrum
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- Опубликовано: 27 сен 2024
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The fairies of Celtic traditions trace their origin back to an ancient race of otherworldly royalty - the Tuatha Dé Danann. As fairy nobility, the Tuatha Dé Danann were alternatively seen as gods, monsters, demons, and even the real ancient inhabitants of Ireland. But where do the Tuatha Dé Danann come from, and how did they become the ancestors of Ireland’s fairies?
The world is full of monsters, myths, and legends and Monstrum isn’t afraid to take a closer look. The show, hosted by Emily Zarka, Ph.D., takes us on a journey to discover a new monster in each new episode. Monstrum looks at humans' unique drive to create and shape monster mythology through oral storytelling, literature, and film and digs deep into the history of those mythologies.
Written and Hosted by: Dr. Emily Zarka
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BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Celtic Folk and Fairy Tales. Ed. Joseph Jacobs. New York and London: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2011. www.gutenberg....
Croker, Thomas Crofton. Fairy legends and traditions of the south of Ireland. John Murray, London, 1825.
Lenihan, Eddie. Meeting the Other Crowd: The Fairy Stories of Hidden Ireland. Ed. Carolyn Eve Green. Tarcher/Penguin, 2003.
MacCulloch, J.A. Celtic Mythology. Chicago Review Press, 2005.
MacKillop, James. Dictionary of Celtic Mythology, Oxford University Press, 1990.
Vejvoda, Kathleen. “‘Too Much Knowledge of the Other World’: Women and Nineteenth-Century Irish Folktales.” Victorian Literature and Culture. Cambridge University Press, 2004, pp. 41-61.
Yeats, W.B. Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry.
Want to learn more about Celtic history and folklore? University College Dublin's National Folklore Collection (www.ucd.ie/folklore/en/).
Storied Can You Please Do Morrigan Next On You’re Channel? In Time For St. Patrick Day? I Love Irish Mythology, You Guys Done A Great Job 👏!!!!
The link doesn't work :( sorry!
I have to ask... why do you have a fireplace full of books?
This detailed video about fairies could only be the work of...
**spasms start**
FAIRY GOD PARENTS
**spasms end**
Please make a video on giant, elf, and dwarf.
I live in Ireland and it’s a fact when the government we’re building a motorway 🛣 years ago they built part of it around a fairy ring because they did not want to destroy it. True.
Yes! I found this in my research. So cool-*Dr.Z*
I've heard that story too and I don't live there. It was talked about in a documentary about the Fae. I know they are real and have met them and offered them mixed drinks when I was working with them to deal with some life issues. There queen dealt with the issue with humor and joy, she played a prank on an enemy of mine and we quite enjoyed the revelry as it was up our alley. I'm not going into details, because it wasn't the nicest thing, but well earned for what this enemy done to offend me.
@@jacobsockness571 thats so cool how you met the fae!
That's because it is an ancient bronze age site of archaeological importance, not because they're worried about fairies. I lived there for 16 years and never met anyone who was more concerned about fairies than the price of a pint.
@@jjaquinta well the price of a pint is pretty steep in Ireland...
The Fae have always reminded me of this Quote from the late, great Sir Terry Pratchett
“Elves are wonderful. They provoke wonder.
Elves are marvelous. They cause marvels.
Elves are fantastic. They create fantasies.
Elves are glamorous. They project glamour.
Elves are enchanting. They weave enchantment.
Elves are terrific. They beget terror.
The thing about words is that meanings can twist just like a snake, and if you want to find snakes look for them behind words that have changed their meaning.
No one ever said elves are nice.”
- Prologue of Lords and Ladies
Great video, as always!!!
Somebody call Granny Weatherwax!
Dwarves and trolls are fine, but elves, elves are nothing but trouble
this is why I am convinced Terry Pratchett was actually a god... he knew too much :D
When you work with them, they came across to me as innocent, playful, kind of like children with godlike power. You offend them, they'll just react without reflection of what will happen.
@@ecurewitz I love trouble. That's probably why the elves loved me. We play dangerous games with our magics. I'm a child in an adult body and I know things about magic that the Elves loved, so we played like children with the powers and techniques I know. Oops. That wasn't supposed to happen.
I'm Irish (real, I live here) and a lot of people are turning back to these stories as a way to try and understand our identity without reference to the Catholic Church. This doesn't mean literally believing in fairies but getting an understanding of what Ireland was like from when the first people arrived. It is also easy to see ecological lessons in a lot of the stories, even if it's just the fact that in the stories humans weren't the be all and end all and more powerful forces helped keep us in check :)
isn't it sad that when your actually from Ireland you have to add that disclaimer, so people don't think your a racist twat
@@Rebellescum I think the real risk is people thinking I'm plastic Irish 🤣
The roman church ridiculed pagans and their stories - our original stories. They ripped them to shreds and so much of our original folklore and stories have been lost but those histories, oral traditions were never killed by them as they wished. It's hard to not get political but the damage the catholic church had on Irish society is enormous but in a turn of fate and irony we've banished them.
The only ones who truly understand the Sídhe are the old-fashioned Irish Catholics - but there´s not many of them left. New Age larpers more thick on the ground now. Ironically, they´re the first to denigrate the Plastic Paddies. The Plastics are way more Irish these days. Rotha mór an tsaoil.
@@johndanielharold3633 Like this lass? I'm drunk, not Irish, not anything but an empty glass from a bad day but everything this woman has said to the 3 min mark, butchered pronunciation and all seems borderline offensive
Its worth noting that the fairies of Ireland, Scotland, Shetland & The Orkney Isles, Wales, England, and Cornwall are all related but unique -
For example, Shetland & The Orkney Islands have the Trow, and an eternal battle between two Trow in particular - the Sea Mither, who protects the isles during the summer and spring but has to rest in winter, when her enemy the Nuckalavee, returns to cause storms and terrorise the lands.
In Scotland, they are called the Daoine Sidhe and they are often divided into the two courts - The Seelie, or benevolent Fae, and the Unseelie, or malicious Fae.
In the Isle of Man, they are called the Sleih Beggey the "Little Folk".
In Cornwall, you find Pixies. And in northern england, the Brownies. And many many more unique fairy creatures.
Irish fairies get the most attention these days - but all areas of the British isles have fascinating fairy lore to discover.
It's worth noting however that the Seelie and Unseelie courts (the courts of summer, and winter) do not necessarily represent benevolence or maliciousness as a rule. Seelie Fae can be proud, cruel, and vicious as the summer sun in the desert, and Unseelie can be just as gentle, and benign as an Autumn breeze through a wood; they just happen to embody things we normally blanket as "light" and "dark" thus also, good and evil.
The more commonly used Manx name is 'Mooinjey Veggey' which means the 'little people(people as in troop/tribe). '
Lads, if we could maybe NOT refer to Ireland as being part of the British Isles... 👍 Bit of a sensitive topic, but just respect it.
@@skelitonking117 The connotations of Winter and Summer are a modern fantasy invention as far as I understand it. The names Seely and Unseelie literally mean Holy / Fortunate and Unholy / Unfortunate
@@Loracanne It's not like Ireland is just in the middle of the pacific though. Geographically it's part of the British isles. Geopolitically it's a whole mess. Not trying to be a pedant purely for pedantry's sake, just offering a reminder that there's a difference between geographic location and cultural/political association.
The Morrigan and her sisters would be great to have an episode on. Although since theres a lot of Sidhe stories maybe a mini-series could work?
I would LOVE that!
Hell yeah!
Her relationship/rivalry with Cúchulainn, the Hound of Ulster would be really interesting to learn more about. It involves omens and “geas”, Irish superstition. A tale of heroism and tragedy.
That would be great!
As a follower of the Great Queen, I do hope they do right by her, and use proper sources. But I would love to see it done
Fun fact: Sean Quinn was formerly declared Ireland's richest man in 2008 but after moving a megalithic burial tomb, he wound up bankrupt by 2011, doesn't stop eejit farmers ruining ringforts instead of making a quick buck turning them into tourist attractions or paths to them, in this economy, it make far more than beef does these days unfortunately
I think I'm going to channel the Queen of the Tuatha De Danann and see what she thinks about the Language of the Primordial Chaos. They turned my darkest rituals into jokes, so what would they do with the most powerful magical language I know?
Tolkien really loved these stories, and you can tell how much he pulled from them to create the history of the elves. They also arguably inspired Martin's Children of the Forest.
I came here to say this. The history of Elves in The Silmarillion is very, very similar to the history of Tuatha de Dannan. (It even has the detail of ships being burned.) I'd argue that Tuatha de Dannan had more influence on what we imagine as Elves after Tolkien than the Nordic mythology. It's just a shame it isn't more universally recognized and Irish aren't getting the credit they deserve.
There’s also Hellboy II: The Golden Army which draws direct inspiration from the Book of Invasions. King Balor and Prince Nuada are names straight out of Irish myth but the roles are reversed. And then there’s the Golden Army which is a reference to the Fomorians.
Fae myths are one of my favourite myths. It's truly fascinating how weird the fae really were.
How weird the Fae really are….🐝❤️🤗
Faes being associated with butterflies is quite fitting tbh
Such carefree and adorable fluttery bunch, until you take a closer look and it's "?!" lol
As an AfricanAmerican This & Norse mythology are my favorites of indigenous European mythology/religion. It’s just so cool how these stories deal with other worlds and magical humanoids, long before we even get to the gods. The Tuatha De Danann are so interesting because they are a legit ancient race of magic people not simply gods, it sounds like something from D&D but it’s a real belief. They kind of remind me of the Orishas, obviously there are major differences, like the fact Ifa & Ifa denominations are active world-religions (edit: specifically across Latin America). The Orishas are benevolent & rely on their monotheistic god/creator Olodumare. And the Orishas, minus Eshu, aren’t tricksters. (Eshu not to be confused with the Lwa Elegba of Vodou). Yemoja - mother of all Orishas & waters and the Ibeji - representations of twins/multiple births. Being some of my favorite Orishas.
I not saying that the Irish are angels when it comes to being politically correct when it comes to being racist, but people of African decent usually get the Irish wit what I am saying is we are very alike.
Did you ever read Children of Blood and Bone?
It's a good fictional novel adapting the Orishas.
Im surprised that you separate Eshu from Legba given that most vodun memebers recognize that Eshu is a likely inspiration or at least significant influence on the lwa Legba.
@@nickrondinelli1402 that is most likely where the influence comes from. But just like Olokun in the Yoruba concept of Orisha is influenced by the god Olokun from the Bini (Edo) peoples, both Olokun & Eshu (connected to Elegba) are of a different religious context in the Yoruba’s concept of Orishas.
It's a fair comparison, certainly! Too often, people have wanted to jump to "Gods" when there are any number of divine beings that aren't necessarily "Gods" but that are still extremely powerful and influential, and very few of the Tuatha De are outright said to be Gods in any of the surviving literature.
Changlings were sometimes also used to explain cot deaths. it comforted grieving mothers to think the cold little body in the crib was actually a log, glamoured with magic to look like her baby, and her real child was spirited away to live an eternal life amongst the fae as one of their own.
Also used an an explanation for autism or other neurodivergent conditions that are not immediately apparent. one day you have a bright and giggly toddler, and the next they seem off, and as they grow they are detached or acting strange etc. It was once possibly believed that they were a fae child who did not know how to act amongst humans
I still don't really understand Autism. That condition and similar must have been difficult in the old times.
this is an old comment but as an autistic child I WISH that I was a fae child instead lol sometimes living in human society is difficult
I'm from Ireland and my grandmother still believes in the cunning folk and would tell stories of a woman who was known to mutter curses onto cattle. I personally don't believe in it but I still love the Mythology behind it. When I was in primary school we were always told NEVER go to a fairy ring because you never know what could happen, it was as bad as playing with a Ouija board
Personally, I would never do either!-*Dr.Z*
Well of course you don’t cross a fairy ring. Do you want to be kidnapped for years only to be put back in the same moment on our world? No one would believe what your story holds.
The Tautha De Danaan certainly invoke romantic imagery. I think there were several such stories featuring them in novel form, dark romance stories that were quite popular. Great to have you back!
Also of note, I think it is part of the Book of Invasions, that as each subsequent wav of people came to Ireland, the land itself grew larger. And perhaps another character from Irish mythology to do an episode on would be the Caileach Bhéara, the giantess who built mountains from rocks she carried in her apron.
The myths and folklore of Dannan is shared by the Bretons. Please don’t forget us! We are Celts too - my mother spoke Breton and could understand Welsh - Merlin roamed the forest of Brocéliande (in Brittany) and we too dance to the sound of the bagpipe.
I would be very interested in further episodes about the Sidhe. As you say, it's a complex mythology, and there's *lots* to cover!
Yay! Thx for doing this. So many people have no idea that Celtic people have our own ancient mythologies, I am so glad to see you putting this out there.
Hope you cover the Mabinogion some day too!
The story of the Tuath De is what inspired Tolkien’s, “ Flight of the Noldor” from Valinor, the “Kin Slaying”, and “ The Burning of the Ships”.
If you are unfamiliar with the tales of the first age of Arda you can find them in the “Silmarillion”.
I have never seen it in any 'official' source, but I do believe it too.
Woohoo! Not only a new Monstrum, but one that covers a piece of myfavorite mythology?! Thank you!
Yes! So happy that this became a video! Despite being pretty creatures fairies are totally valid in the category of monsters with the terrifying tales about them and all!
I have always loved the Celts and their tales of the Good Folk. One of the most interesting, fascinating and awe inspiring cultures to ever exist.
Would love an episode on the Fir Bolg and how they relate to the Firbolg race in dungeons and dragons
They're only related in name, really.
I am a Singaporean living in Abbeyfeale and my wife and I use to drive pass a whitethorn bush up on a field on a high hill and we ask the fairies to let us buy a house everytime we pass it. 1 year later, we ended up buying a house within 6-7km drive and pass through the road often.
Not even one minute of the show and I felt called out 😩
"Fairies are everywhere..."
Finally, Monstrum is back! I love this so much! As a guy with Irish ancestry, I’m always happy to learn more about Irish creatures and entities.
I literally just started getting more into fae lore for my book, and now this video gets uploaded.
I've mainly been trying to learn more about the Seelie and Unseelie Courts.
It's fascinating how cultures all over the world and separated by tens of thousands of years of human migration can have such similar folklore.
In the Philippines, the original pre-colonial religions revolve around interactions with "others who are not like us" or "the [original] dwellers of [place]". They are remarkably similar to the European concept of elves and fairies. Including the fact that they are referred to with euphemisms, like the ones already mentioned, or in respectful kinship terms like "apo" ("elder"). They didn't even have a collective name other than "spirit" (anito) prior to the introduction of the Sanskrit-derived word "Diwata" (from Devata).
Basically they are a race of non-human spirits who are beautiful, very long-lived or immortal, and capricious. Being described as fair-skinned (sometimes with blond hair) with no philtrum. They are shapeshifters and often interact with humans via spiritual possession, disguised as humans (usually old men and women, or youths), as "little people" or conversely as giants, or as birds and other animals.
Like the elves and fairies, they live in lands in an other world, a spirit world which mirrors our own (and where dead humans eventually go when they die). These places have physical representations or entrances in the real world - most commonly the central hollow of a fig tree, rock formations, termite mounds, and caves. These portals are usually open at twilight, when the veil between the material and spirit world is thinnest.
They were also fond of kidnapping or stealing beautiful humans, livestock, or household items. As well as impregnating human women resulting in children with strange birth defects or simply children who are extraordinarily beautiful or skilled.
They eat raw (or simply boiled) food and don't like salt, spices, or anything that emits strong smells.
It's also found in more cultures like the chaneque of the Aztec, the Aluxo'ob of the Maya, the Nimerigar of the Shoshone, the Yokai and Kami of Japan, the Kijimuna of Okinawa, the Korpokkur of the Ainu, the Taotao Mo'na of the Chamorro, and the Patupaiarehe of the Maori.
It makes me think that the belief in a magical or spiritual race of "others" (usually smaller than humans) is extremely ancient in the human species. Pre-dating all our religions and myths. It may even be a racial memory of other hominid species.
I'm late but I know a story of a fairy tree near my town. Basically two lads cut it down for the wood, even though everyone told them not to. They ended up dying not long after. I'm fairly certain that the tree was also next to a magic road. For those who don't know, btw, a magic road is a road that makes your car move backwards uphill when you turn it off.
My grandmother, living in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, still believed in faeries. This was the early 90's. Belief in the Fair Folk is just as prevalent in Scotland. You'll see offerings and references to them all around Scotland, often in the most unexpected places.
Interesting to see that Tolkien seems to have taken the arrival of the Tuatha De Danann as the basis for the arrival of Feanor, beyond the general inspiration of Fae for his Elvish Gnomes
genuinely one of my favourite channels. been here since it's early conception and it's still great.
Angus is really cool because he's also the god of love. He's really fascinating because unlike most love deities which are more focused on sexuality or procreation, Angus is clever and wily. He claims ownership of his father's estate through a play on words, and helps a young couple escape from the bride's jealous would-be husband by hiding them from the king's men and sending them in the wrong direction when they give chase. It is ultimately Angus who talks the king into giving up his claim to the girl, allowing the young couple to wed. He also serves as the god father to another young celtic hero who was made otherworldly beautiful and irrestitable due to a blessing from a faerie woman. In fact, when Angus was syncretized with other gods, he wasn't equated with Eros, Frig, or even one of the love goddesses. Instead, the Irish god of love, beauty, and poetry was equated with Hermes.
Would that hero be Diarmuid Ua Duibhne? I probably spelled that very incorrectly lol
@@semaj_5022 Yes, Diramuid is the one to whom I was referring. And I just remembered that Diramuid was the one who absconded with Fionn's future bride. But I'm positive that Angus was involved in some other myth involving a celtic folk hero. But I can't remember which one I'm thinking of. But yes, Diramuid is the most famous celtic hero associated with Angus, the mischievous god of love.
@@fandomonium3789 I encountered a bit of the story of Diarmuid and Fionn a few years ago online, so I thought Angus' name rang a bell. Thanks for the reminder. I want to read the whole story now if I can. The whole mythology of the area seems really fascinating and I remember that one specifically seeming like a really good story.
@@semaj_5022 Yes, Irish Mythology has been criminally ignored by pop culture.
And unfortunately, Mabinogi MMORPG is, uh...
Let's just say it's more "what the hell is going on" compared to literally anything associated with Final Fantasy franchise.
When you mentioned the troop, I couldn't help but think of Tam Lin🤔 I know it's a Scottish tale, but a fairy troop was mentioned
A lot of the Modern Scottish population is descended from invaders from Ireland who moved there 1500 years ago. One of the languages of Scotland is Scottish Gaelic (not Scots at all), which is similar to Irish. Even though the language is dying, it still influences the Scottish Accent, and the Scots Language/Dialect even more so. It's no surprise that Scottish legend is similar to Irish myth.
troops are common in folklore
Ahhhhh..., as m'dear departed mother used to say to me; "Believing is seeing... ." I'm 72 now & still remember, she wove such wonderful tales of the wee folks, fairies, elves & magics & adventures of their nature.
More celtic stuff!!! This was one of my favorite episodes yet.
I love the sidhe and their stories. Thank you Dr Z.
I adore celtic mythology and I'm always so happy when they are covered. Thank you!
My grandmother was Irish with fiery red hair. She didn't talk about fairies often, but she did tell me never bother a leprechaun, ask for his gold, or demand anything from him. She said to always carry silver, and offer it to the leprechaun for freedom from his pranks and spells.
I love Irish lore please do more episodes on myths and legends from Ireland
The fantastical side is rich enough, but i was expecting some mention of one of the more interesting anthropological theories: that fairy-folk lore is rooted in the prehistoric encounters between stone age and more technologically advanced human cultures. Thus the supposed fear of iron.
You guys should do a special on witches like the zombies one, please 😭💙💙💙
Yes, a new Monstrum! I am loving this show.
There is so much mythology around the world, I doubt you’ll ever run out of material! And could you do videos on the myths of North American indigenous peoples? So many heroes, tricksters, and monsters, oh, my!
Great episode! I hope there’s an episode in the future about Iceland’s Huldufólk ✨
My grandmother was born to illiterate Irish immigrants in South Boston in 1892. She was very religious and went to Mass everyday into her late 70s. She also had superstitions like sprinkling holy water around the house in a lightning storm. She would tell me bedtime stories about banshees that would keep me awake an extra half hour. As the first person in the history of her family to finish the eighth grade, she thought of herself as a modern American.
In my teens, I worked up the courage to ask her if she believed in the faeries. “Of course not,” she snapped, indignant that a good Catholic could be accused of such a thing. “But they’re there.”
Dr.Z y''all should look into the folklore of Appalachia when you revisit fairies!
Awesomely cool. Being of Irish decent, I of course love stories of Irish myth and lore.
“In Gaelic, the language of many vowels” 😂😂😂
It would be very interesting to see an episode on the Shadow Man or the Hat Man, a kind of episode covering the shadow people that haunt peoples dreams
Do you know if there are many fairy people all over the world? I am from New Zealand, of Maori descent and we have stories of fairy/little people who live within the mist of the forest to this day. People of the villages/towns who have been in contact with and had offspring, were known to be born with fair skin and orange hair. Uncommon in a mostly dark skin indigenous culture. It would be interesting if like giants that lived on this earth, so to were the little/fairy people.
Lovely video and well done summarizing such a massive chunk of lore! You're very right, this very well could qualify for Fate & Fabled too! (Which if y'all have not seen it, other viewers - GO! It's GREAT!)
One of the first books I ever read cover to cover and even memorized parts of, was a book of stories about Finn McCool. I've been fascinated by the fae and the Sidhe ever since!
Irish folklore is just the best. There’s something so much more _magical_ about it.
WOW Dr Z, this video was amazing! Everything was new for me and so interesting! Who would knew fairies would have such an interesting backstory.
Great episode. Clearly and simply explained-thank you.
This is so interesting! I come from a Welsh family that came to Argentina in 1865 and until the 90's my greatgrandma used to leave food for the fairies and the "duendes". In Patagonia there's quite a few places that are believed to be filled with duendes and we've had an experience with them when I was in a school trip. It's fascinating. While I don't know if it would be the same kinds of creatures it's really interesting to know about them.
Read "The Secret Commonwealth of Elves Fauns and Faeries" (Marina Warner translation) for some deep insight into faeries. Also read "The Fairy Faith In Celtic Countries" by Water Yeeling Evans-Wentz. Fascinating books with quite alot of lore and stories about the Good People.
Whoo Hoo!!! Thank you Monstrum for covering this!!! Yes, please, cover more because there are so much more. Like their culture. Don't say thank you, say I'm grateful. Finvarra or Finnbhear, the King of the Faes. Never offend a fae. Galway, the enchanting place in Ireland with its Knockma Hill.
The crazed hunt for the Himalayan yeti will allways be my favorite
“Gaelic, the language of many vowels” 🤣
I mean, she ain’t wrong
Reminds me of the parallels to Terrence McKenna's entheogenic experiences with "machine Elves", in tropical jungles of Central America & Amazonia.
Yeah I definitely saw one of those in Amazon. I have yet to see one in Ireland though
Great video! Seems like it's been forever since we've had a new one!
Fun Fact:
There is an anime series based on a series of light novels called Full Metal Panic! In this series there is a mercenary-like group called Mithril and their flagship is a high-tech submarine called The Tuatha dé Danann.
Well done Doc. Emily D. You never hear the story of the fay folk told like that. Thank you 🙏 i’ll ne subscribing to the new channel!!
In The Celts by Peter Berresford Ellis he hypothesizes that Tuatha De Dannan means People of the Danube (River). This makes completely logical sense as most archeologists and Celtic scholar claim the Celts of Gaul and the Isles came from the east to the west, more than likely following the Danube which spreads through central and eastern Europe. And since the Celts believed heavily in the genus loci of nature, it's not too hard to draw a line between being the people who came from the Danube and the Danube having its own genus loci.
Also, someone else in the comments mentioned how during the Book of Invasions each group would add to the island we call Ireland. Scholars usually refer to it as clearing land for occupation rather than creating land from nothing. So, the Fir Bolg come to "Ireland" and have to clear the forests and the lands in order to build houses, plant crops and graze livestock. Then the Tuatha do the same as they clear more land, etc. Then the Mileasians.
Think of it like this: when Europeans came to the New World it was untamed. The natives didn't have too many vast cities, walked castles or a sprawling empire of towns and villages. Much if the northeast (US) was nearly untouched forests. So, in order to build settlements the newcomers had to clear the land. And as new waves of settlers came, new land had to be cleared out for their settlements. Hell, we still clear land to this day for housing developments and strip malls.
One thing to point out is that Ireland was well forested until only a few centuries ago. Ireland lost its forests for two reasons: to clear out subversives and for lumber for shipbuilding. Subsequently, it was used for farming, which is one of the reasons Ireland was the UK's breadbasket up until independence.
Was hoping someone else in the comments had read Ellis.
Seems like a relation to the Tribe of Dan could be appropriate...
When stories of origins are mixed with popular traditions, (inc. fantasies, etc) mythologies and legends are born, hence what's come down to us to a degree.
Facts and fantasy create very entertaining mythologies. Lots can be learned from them. Lots of meaning within them. Mythologies are very much layered in both facts and fantasy and so at times it's difficult to separate fact from fiction as they're so intertwined.
They're a way, a language of explaining things and concepts. Since we don't speak "their" language (at the time these beliefs held sway or were initially developed, passed down with full meaning, etc) we can only attempt to discern their meaning and enjoy the stories.
Please do an episode on Pertcha and Perchen because much Norse and Celtic lore blended with each other because of pillaging and trade. The two groups are Schonepercha and Haslichperchen with even Krampus tracing back to Frau Pertcha or Frau Holle because of her duality of both good and bad powers and all Krampus are often called children of Frau Holle. Both these groups inspired many of the Grimms Fairy Tales and even How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Ever wonder why Whos wore food as clothing at the Whobliation? It's because offerings to powerful Pertcha and Perchen were often food and drink. There is even a German expression that says in English, "When it snows Frau Pertcha is making her bed".
Big fan of Elfquest and enjoyed this because there are portions here that the creators (Richard & Wendy Pini) used in their stories.
I love this channel so much. And the new show is awesome. Keep it up.
Always a great day when Monstrum posts!
More faerie lore please!!
In one story, a man built his house on the path of the Good People despite warnings from the neighbors. The Good People then start tearing down the man’s house in the night. The man runs outside and apologizes and asks for one night as he would move in the morning. His visitors agree and tell him where he should move his new house to. When the man does, he finds a small collection of gold.
I'd like to see an episode dedicated to the Fairie Queen character from European Folklore
"Fork!" will now be my battle cry. 😆
I LOVE this series so much. it's so informative and fascinating. I've always loved mythology, and you teach it so well :)
Somehow I imagine the Tuatha De Danann to be the Vanir Gods of Norse Mythology, who found a new home in Ireland after Ragnarok. Considering the Tuatha's and the Vanir's close bond to nature and the fact that we know next to nothing about the latter.
They would've predated the Norse settlement of Scandinavia. Ireland's been settled a _really_ long time. The connections you're seeing are because most European mythology has a common source. One of the reasons the Book of Invasions (poor translation: both "influxes" and "migrations" would be as valid) is because there's been a mythohistorical record of all the times there's been an influx of people from mainland Europe. There were several influxes of "Celtic" peoples, starting with the "For Bolg" and ending with the "Milesians" the last one had the most cultural influence, but the one in between are the most mythologised. None of those migrations had a huge genetic effect: Ireland and Scotland are mostly of Old European descent (much like northern Spain), but that's mainly for the same reason as the Romans stopped. After all, the weather's terrible and the natives would just end up assimilating you eventually anyway. 😁
Probably conflating the Vanir with the Unseelie. Close but distinctly different.
I hope that King figured out by three that the fairy was swapping places with his men by the gallows every time.
"Sire, please! We're running out of men."
"No, no, no. NOW we've got him. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 75 times, shame on me."
So glad I found this channel. Love these monster bios!
Yes! I want to teach my students about Celtic myths in March, and this will be perfect.
They were Egyptian. They had been sent out to explore the world in great ships like the ones recently discovered buried near the Giza Pyramid complex.
YES! From Egypt they founded the Indus Valley Civilisation which reached the British Isles. Both Danu of Ancient Ireland and Danu of Ancient India are so similar, I really think the faeries are based on the Roma who travelled from India all across the world. Sidhe(Fairy) and Sindhe(Gypsy) are so similar in words. Also gypsys were discriminated a lot and most of their stereotypes are much like faeries. Music, sorcery, kidnapping children etc were all said about us. Another thing, The Gypsy Lore Society was founded by David MacRitchie a scottish folklorist who was obsessed with faeries.
Such a great channel. Thankyou. 🙏
Love these videos! I’ve learned so much…
Love your outfit and background in this one!
Have you done an episode on Persian fairies? Or other Persian monsters like Azhi Dahaka, Angra Mainyu, Apaosha, and the daevas?
I've heard that it is thought that the stories about changeling children and their unusual behaviour were an early explanation for neurodivergence or autism. I quite like the thought of calling myself a fae child :)
The history of the druids would be an awesome video
we are still here
Great as always, Thanx!!!
Some scholars associate Danu with the river Danube, and since the Tuatha de Danann have the fact that they appeared on the island of Ireland in their mythology, maybe they were settlers from around the Danube.
"Or simply "Them"." Wow! Made my they/them fae obsessed heart sing! This is a great cheat sheet for me when reading October Daye books!! 🧚✨
can you do a series of unknown cryptids/ forgotten cryptids and maybe so known but rarely seen on the wiki of how find it on there?
Not a bad pronunciation there. Irish, Welsh and Gaelic names normally get massacred by Americans.
I've been waiting for this episode ever since leprechauns 😊
I will never get over it. It is not only terrible that there are books in a fireplace, but also how they lie there!
so glad i'm first on here for this video 😍
Hello Emily, just want to say these videos are really cool and interesting, so thank you for making these
A note from an Irish Folklorist. Yeats is widely regarded to be a pretty terrible source. He was more interested in creating a Romantic Nationalist (y'know, proto-fascist, he even joined the fascist party) interpretation of our myths and folklore than he was in recording it accurately. Himself and his cohorts of the period made deliberate changes to the myths and legends to reflect their own ideologies and personal biases (T. Crofton Croker in particular is known to have simply had a story from Germany re-written into an Irish context and then pretended it came from Ireland) so take anything said by Yeats with an entire ocean's worth of salt.
I just built a Magic the Gathering Faeries deck, so this is convenient. Lorwyn Fae aren't the same obviously, but themes come from somewhere. Hopefully the deck stays relevant/is viable!
Awesome another new episode! Just saw Fables can’t wait for the next episode
Fun fact. The fae were known as the good people not because people thought they were good, but not to anger them but flatter them so they wouldn't give you bad fortune.
You should look at the mythos on the Isle of Man too! Especially the Moddey Dhu.