Download A Guide to Nature`s Fairies, Gods, and Goddesses

A Guide to Nature’s Fairies, Gods, and Goddesses
Disclaimer
Due to the nature of mythology, folklore, and legends. Any discrepancies,
errors, or misinterpretations of mythical or legendary creatures or characters
reflects solely on the source materials used and not the author. Even
professional researchers and historians disagree with each other over the
origins of such creatures and characters.
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Works Cited
Astma, Aaron. Theoi.com. N.p., 2001. Web. 13 Mar 2012.
<http://www.theoi.com/index.html>.
Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online.
Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2012. Web. 13 Mar. 2012.
<http://www.britannica.com/
Many Unnamed or Difficult to Source Artists for Pictures Used.
(So for fairness sake I named none)
Mythos Natura
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A Guide to Nature’s Fairies, Gods, and Goddesses
Fairies
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 Also known as Fey, Elves, or Fair Folk
 Origins are varied but the most known form of Fairies
come from Celtic and English folklore.
 Are considered denizens of a more natural “other”
world in English mythology, usually crossing over into
the “human” world to cause mischief or simply observe
humans.
 Goblins, Gnomes, Brownies, Banshees, Changelings,
Sprites, Pixies, etc. are all considered types of Fairies.
The Fairy World
“Fairyland,” “Land of the Faeries,” or “The Fey”
A world where the fairies reside it is considered either as a parallel universe to the
“human” world or it is represented as a physical place typically dark forests. In a way the
fairy world is the ideal form of Nature, wild and untamable, free from human influence. It is
often held in a high regard
The Queen of The Fairies
“Mab,” “Titania,” “Gloriana,” or “Tanaquil”
The Queen of the Fairies is a title given to numerous characters throughout literature
and folklore. However, the Queen of the Fairies is also a name for the mythological
figure. Originating in English Folklore, she was believed to rule over the land of fairies.
Generally speaking, the Queen of the Fairies represents Nature in it’s purest form, as a
character she more represents and coexists with Nature rather than actually dominating
it.
Gloriana
a.k.a. “Tanaquil”
Possibly the first literary example
of a fairy queen, appearing only in the
epic poem series by Edmund
Spenser The Faerie Queene. In the
story she rules over the Land of the
Faeries in which various knights quest
in her honor.
Unlike other Fairy Queens,
Gloriana was created as a tribute to
Queen Elizabeth and represented
ideas other than nature, such as
honor and chivalry or loyalty to the
crown.
Mab
Considered one of the first
Queen of the Fairies, Queen Mab
is mentioned first in Shakespeare’s
Romeo and Juliet. She is noted for
her ability to grant wishes within
dreams or allow sleepers to “give
birth” to their deepest desires in their
dreams.
Queen Mab represents the dream
world and embodies the mystical and
mysterious side of nature.
She appears in works by
Shakespeare, Johnson, Barrie, and
many others continuing into modern
fiction.
Titania
As one of the later Fairy Queens,
Titania became a replacement in
literature. Though much like in a
prequel or prologue episode in
modern entertainment, Titania is an
ancestor of Gloriana’s.
Most notably she and Queen
Mab became the most common
references for the Queen of Fairies
as time passed. Titania however is
slightly less magical than Queen
Mab, and represents the beauty of
Nature rather than the mystery.
Fun Fact: One of Uranus’s Moon’s
is named Titania in tribute to William
Shakespeare.
She appears in works by
Shakespeare, Tennyson, and
Goethe.
Oberon
a.k.a. “King of the Fairies” or “King
of the Elves”
Oberon appears as the King of
the Fairies in Shakespeare’s A
Midsummer Night’s Dream, however
Oberon originated from a French
Poem titled Huon de Bourdeaux, in
which he was a “dwarf-king” with
magical powers.
In most instances of Oberon’s
appearance he is a helpful character,
often using his magic to aid the
protagonists.
He appears in works by
Shakespeare, Johnson, Goethe and
many others.
Puck
a.k.a. “Tom Goodfellow,” “Puca,” or
“Hobgoblin”
Puck is notorious as a mischievous
fairy, known for his biting wit and
mocking attitude. He appears in
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer
Night’s Dream, but instances of puca
precede Shakespeare’s writing.
A puca is a mischievous fairy that
misleads travellers through woods or
sours farmer’s milk. There are also
instances of fairies named variations
of Puck through many different
countries.
He represents Nature’s playful
and sometimes dark side, being a
creature of mischief and tricks.
Dionysus
a.k.a. “Bacchus” in both Greek and
Roman.
The god of wine, vegetation,
pleasure, and festivity. His symbols
usually have to do with one of his
domains: grapes for wine, a cup for
festivities, leopard skin and a pine cone
tipped staff for vegetation.
He is either depicted as a jovial
bearded man or a mildly effeminate
youth, typically in the company of his
satyrs and nymphs.
Dionysus is one of the nature gods it
would not be too far of a stretch to see
inspiration drawn from him in the
creation of Oberon.
His name appears in many literary works
and is now used as a title for the person
presiding over Mardi Gras Krewe
“The Krewe of Bacchus”
Comus
Comus is actually a minor or “demi”
god in Greek and Roman mythology
(possibly just Greek). Which means
he is descended of Gods but his
bloodline may be mixed with mortals
His domains are festivity, revelry,
and merrymaking, as in Milton’s
Masque presented at Ludlow
Castle. He often appears as a satyr
or a winged youth with a donkey’s
ears.
Milton’s version of Comus is more
of a tribute to the original God, than
an accurate portrayal (according to
his myths) as Comus typically was not
far from Bacchus at all times.
Gaia
Gaia was the Greek goddess of
Earth. She is the mother of all the
Greek gods, including the titans
(such as Cronus) before the gods
that are most commonly associated
with Greek mythology today (like
Zeus).
She is the personification of
Earth, and as such all things Nature.
Gaia is a predecessor or
inspiration for Mother Nature as the
two figures share many ideas in
common such as the creation of
plants and animal life.
Gaia is mentioned in many works of
literature.
Mother Nature
Mother Nature is an interesting
and unique figure in that she does not
directly tie into any specific religion,
theology, or folklore, and finding
definitions of her separate from Gaia
are nearly impossible. Artists, poets,
novelists, naturalists, and even regular
people reference Mother Nature as
a personification of Nature. Whether
equating a fierce hurricane to her
wrath or a tranquil forest to her
beauty people of many religions use
the idea of Mother Nature to
describe inexplicable Nature.
The Green Man
a.k.a. “Jack-in-the-Green”
The Green Man originated from
English Folklore as far back as
pagan religions. During the time
period many religions centered on
gods of Nature, vegetation, or
fertility. The Green Man is the most
well known iteration of those gods.
He can be seen as a masculine
version of Mother Nature, or a
religious version of Oberon. As time
passed The Green Man’s mythos
split and transformed into many
literary characters known today. The
most famous of which is… Robin of
the Hood, or simply Robin Hood.
An Abridged Compendium
by C. Aaron Olague