The Daoine Sídhe
The Daoine Sídhe, also known as the Aos Sí, are a race of supernatural beings, mainly Irish fae such as fairies and elves, that are said to be descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Daoine Sidhe roughly means "people of the mounds."
Description[]
By all accounts, the Daoine Sídhe are powerful sorcerers. In early Irish manuscripts, they are described as “gods and not gods.” They are generally described as stunningly beautiful, much like any known fae, although they can also come in the form of hideous monsters. Some members of the Daoine Sidhe appear to resemble humans, but more impressive as they were universally known for their preternatural beauty nonetheless. In addition they also possessed some differences such as horns and earthy skin tones. However this appearance is not uniform. They were described as having delicate life bodies and corn colored blonde hair that was so long it could touch the ground. They sometimes wore diaphanous robes of silver fabric.
The Daoine Sidhe appear in many different forms, especially those in the court of Dagda, and could also take any form which conceals them from mortal eyes completely. Some appear to be animals, or humanoids with animal features. There are also more traditional fairies in the Daoine Sidhe as well, appearing as little green beings who fly about on wings. In addition, these fae are often accomplished shapeshifters. They were said to even make their own horses uses scraps of straw. Their diet included milk and honey served in gold vessels, as well as the nectar of flowers that they could drink directly from like cups.
Overview[]
The Daoine Sídhe (Scots Gaelic, daoine sith) are said to be the descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann (“People of the Goddess Danu”), a race of deities that figures prominently in Irish mythology. The Daioine Sídhe were said to have flourished after the Tuatha Dé Danann retreated from the surface world of Ireland to live underground. They would often reside beneath lakes, Norman ruins, or in the core of a hill.
The reason the Irish gods descended underground was due to their weakness to iron as only iron weapons could injure them. The Tuatha Dé Danann were eventually defeated by the Iron Age Milesians, the ancestors of the contemporary Irish, and driven to the Otherworld, the homeland they access via the ancient burial mounds that dot the Irish countryside. They continue to live, it is said, as invisible beings. Inside these mounds they were deceptively luxurious palaces made out of diamonds, pearls, silver, and gold. The Sídhe hoarded their many treasures in their homes, some of which they took from shipwrecks or from thieves who had to bury their loot.
Their world is described in the Lebor Gabála Érenn as a parallel universe in which the Daoine Sídhe walk amongst the living. Their was nearly always music and dancing in their palace halls. This is thus a special time at which sightings of these fae are more likely. Humans would often be blessed under special circumstances with the opportunity to see them dancing on the hillsides.
Links[]
- Sidhe - Wikipedia
- Sidhe - Mythology Wiki
- Sidhe - Hellboy Wiki