Fairies: Difference between revisions

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==Etymology==
==Etymology==
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s concept of ''Faërie'' uses a deliberate variant spelling of ''fairy''. While both spellings derive from [[Middle English]] ''faie'' ("possessing magical powers"), the name ''fairy'' carry connotations of 'prettiness'. Tolkien wanted to distance himself from this modern sense, and by using ''Faërie'' (variants included ''Faery'' and ''Fayery'') he sought "''connotations older and considerably darker''".<ref>{{HM|OFS}}, p. 85</ref>  
[[J.R.R. Tolkien]]'s concept of ''Faërie'' uses a deliberate variant spelling of ''fairy''. While both spellings derive from [[Middle English]] ''faie'' ("possessing magical powers"), the name ''fairy'' carry connotations of 'prettiness'. Tolkien wanted to distance himself from this modern sense, and by using ''Faërie'' (variants included ''Faery'' and ''Fayery'') he sought "''connotations older and considerably darker''".<ref>{{HM|OFS}}, p. 85</ref>  
==See also==
*[[Unseen]]
==External links==
==External links==
*{{WP|Fairy}}
*{{WP|Fairy}}

Revision as of 23:43, 21 November 2010

This article describes a concept which is mentioned in J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but was never given a definite name.
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"It was often said (in other families) that long ago one of the Took ancestors must have taken a fairy wife."[1]

Faërie (also called Fairy, Faëry, Faery) refers to the otherworldly sphere of the Maiar (and sometimes the Elves).[source?]

Other versions of the legendarium

In early writings, Fairies was a name for the Elves.[2][3]

Etymology

J.R.R. Tolkien's concept of Faërie uses a deliberate variant spelling of fairy. While both spellings derive from Middle English faie ("possessing magical powers"), the name fairy carry connotations of 'prettiness'. Tolkien wanted to distance himself from this modern sense, and by using Faërie (variants included Faery and Fayery) he sought "connotations older and considerably darker".[4]

See also

External links

References