Faerie - Definition and Overview

In mythology and in fiction, Faerie (also Faery) is an otherworldly realm, home to the Fae or fairies.

Traditional examples of Faerie include:

• in Germanic folklore and myth:
  • Álfheim in Norse mythology, (spelled Elphame in Scottish tales such as Thomas the Rhymer)
  • Elfland or Fairyland in English folklore
• in Celtic folklore and myth:
  • the Avalon of the King Arthur legends
  • the original land of the Tuatha Dé Danann

Modern fictional Faeries include:

• Valinor or Aman in J. R. R. Tolkien's legendarium
• The World of the Elves in Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels.
• The worlds of the Fairies in Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

See also

• Animism
• Faery Wicca
• Gnome
• Spirit
• Troll
• Wicca

And compare: fictional country.