sìth | Facts, Information, and Mythology

sìth

The Scottish Gaelic term for fairy, but also whatever is fairy-like, unearthly, not of this world. They come and go with noiseless step, and their thefts or abductions are done silently and unawares to men. Their presence is also noticed when items have mysteriously disappeared or when family member or cattle have suddenly died. When driven away, they do so noiselessly and they seem to glide rather than walk. Generally their presence is indicated at most by the cloud of dust raised by the eddy wind, or by some curious natural phenomena, or by the sound of their musical instruments, songs, or speech.

A female fairy is called sìtheag or ban-sìthe and a male fairy bodach-sìthe. The elfin youth is called gille sìth. Other words for fairy are sìthiche and sìtheanach (both masculine). The term sìthbheire is mostly applied to changelings. A fairy godmother is called muime-sìthe. They are also called sluagh, "folk, a multitude," sluagh eutrom, "light folk," and daoine beaga, "little men," from the number and small size ascribed to the elves. Another term is daoine còire, "kindly folk," from a desire to give no unnecessary offence.

Fairies have a reputation for stealing, but they do not take anything away bodily, they only take what is called its toradh (fruit, produce, issue, yield). Only the outward appearance is left, but the reality is gone.