The name for the fairy race in Wales .
means 'The Fair Folk' and Their name they are extremely attractive to look at
ways , dressed in white and having al
According fair hair. ng to long some accounts, they are ruled over by
the underworld god Gwynn ap Nudd, while others say that their master is the
magician Gywdion. In the past, these fairies were considered dangerous and
children were brought up to fear and respect them. They especially liked to
steal babies or older blonde children and leave a changeling called a crimbil
in their place. Their own children are said only to mature at 100 years of age,
when they leave to up communities of their own. They are especially fond of
singing and dancing in fairy rings, though a human should be wary of joining
them. Tylwyth Teg are visible only at night, and visit human houses after dark.
For this reason, country dwellers in Wales
used to tidy up and stoke their fires before retiring, so that the Fair Folk
could make themselves comfortable. If they were pleased they might leave a
present for the family, though this would disappear at once if spoken of
openly. The Fair Folk used to visit markets and exchange the money in farmers
Pockets for their own, which disappeared when the farmer got home, or turned into
dry leaves. The folklorist Edward Davies, writing in 1809, related the story of
a lake near Brecon associated with the Tylwyth Teg.
An island rose from the middle of the lake, and it was
observed that no bird would fly over it and that sometimes strains of music
could be heard drifting from it over the water. In ancient times, a door in a
nearby rock would open every Mayday, and those who entered would find
themselves in a passage that led to the island. There, to their amazement, they
discovered an enchanted garden full of the choicest fruits and flowers, inhabited
by the Tylwyth Teg, whose ethereal beauty was only equalled by their courtesy
and affability. Each guest would be entertained with music and told of whatever
future events the fairies deemed right to tell them. The only stipulation was
that the island should be considered sacred, and nothing must be taken away.
One day, an ungrateful man pocketed the flower he had been presented with. This
did him no good, for as soon as he touched the shore the flower c vanished and
the man himself fell senseless. The Tylwyth Teg were so angry at this sacrilege
that the way to the island was closed for-ever. One man tried to drain the lake
to see what was there, but a horrible figure rose from the water and commanded
him to stop.
North Utsire
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