JC's Fairy Catalog Part III

Welcome back, part III of this magical series of blogs

Aziza

Origin: West Africa, Dahomey folklore

Myth/Folklore: race of supernatural beings or spirits of the forest, they are benevolent, they provide and guide hunters, also teach humans about medicinal herbs, and the use of fire, a provide of magic and wisdom.

Characteristics: they are small people, similar size of the fairy, it is believe that originally they were wingless, and after the contact with europeans they started to be depicted with wings, particullary monarch butterfly wings

Merrow

Origin: Irish folklore, celtic mythology

Myth/Folklore: Aquatic creature, irish/celtic version of a mermaid, similar to Selkies, they can go to land and entablish a romantic relation with humans, and similar with the selkies and their seal shed skin, Merrows had a magical cap or cloak of red color "cohuleen druith" that allows them to travel between deep sea and dry land. The singing and crying of the merrows are interpreted as omens by the fishermen, announced an incoming storm or a good fishing.

Characteristics: besides the mentioned red cap, females merrows had the known mermaid look, and they are beautiful, meanwhile merrow men are notably hideous, having more fish-monster features, for this reason, female merrows usually lure for handsome young human men.

Extra: there is a tale in wich a merrow-man used a lobster cage to trap and collect souls of drowed sailors and fishermen

Fenghuang

Origin: East Asian tradition, Chinese mythology

Myth/Folklore: mythical bird that only appears in peaceful and prospereous states, a symbol of prosperity, virtous and benevolence. When a new emperor was named, the visit of a Fenghuang indicated good fortune and benevolent rule for that emperor.

Characteristic: similar to the western phoenix but only on superficial appareance. Fenghuan features a long and colorful tail.

Dokkaebi

Origin: Korean mythology

Myth/Folklore: nature spirits born from spiritual energy of inanimate, blood-stained, or long used houshold objects. They have a dual nature, can bless farmers with abundant harvest or cause misfortune and chaos.

Characteristics: large and hairy figure, then later theit appareance get influenced and blended with the japanese's Oni ogre-like creature. Their arrival is announced by a blue flame. They posses two magical items, a hat that grants them invisibility, and a club that can be swung to summon food and drinks.

Jengu

Origin: Coastal Bantu tradition, coast of Cameroon

Myth/Folklore: water spirits that live in rivers and sea, bring good fortune to one who worship them, protecting them from diseases. They are also spiritual intermediaries between the human realm and the ancestors.

Characteristics: stereotypical mermaid appareance, beautiful, with long hair

Caipora

Origin: Tupi-guarani mythology, Brazil and Paraguay

Myth/Folklore: a guardian spirit, often mischievous, considered a king of animals, he punish the hunters for overhunting or hunt out of season. Hunters usually offer a tribute of tobacco or sugar cane liquor to gain the spirit's favor.

Characteristics: small size, dark skinned tone, sometimes with red hair or the head of a fox. Has the habit of smoke cigar, ride forest pigs and emit loud howls.

I hope you enjoyed the reading, there is still some fae to add, see you in the next chapter.

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