Tylwyth Teg

Tylwyth Teg

ORIGIN:

Wales

Tylwyth Teg means the “Fair Family,” but this may be a euphemism for these Welsh Fairies.

Tylwyth Teg live in organized societies ruled by a king, Gwyn ap Knudd. There are both male and female Tylwyth Teg. They typically dress in green, although the king’s court allegedly wears blue and red silk.

Tylwyth Teg prefer to live in remote locations: wooded areas in the mountains or lonely islands within lakes or off the Welsh coast. They are nocturnal, emerging at night to make music and dance in the moonlight in Fairy rings. They adore music and have been accused of kidnapping particularly skilled human musicians so that they will be forced to stay and play for them.

A human caught within a Fairy ring is obliged to dance with the Tylwyth Teg for a year and a day, although carrying a rowan twig grants you free passage through their territory. Plow through one of their Fairy rings, even by accident, and be cursed for life. Tylwyth Teg may intermarry with humans; however, marriage is almost always accompanied by various restrictions and taboos, which the human must never betray.

They dislike salt and iron and are among the Fairies accused of stealing children and leaving changelings behind.

MANIFESTATION:

Tylwyth Teg may be translated as “the beautiful people.” They are usually described as resembling humans but manifesting in various sizes. Some are humansized, some approximately the height of a man’s knee, while others are tiny. They are, however, renowned shape-shifters.

Offering: Their mainstay meal is milk with saffron.

SEE ALSO:

Fairy; Sidhe

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by :Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.