35+ Types of Fairies From Around the World (Complete A-Z Guide to the Fae)

When you first start exploring the world of the fae folk, it can be overwhelming. There are so many different types of fairies and types of fae from cultures all over the world — where do you even begin?

In this complete guide, I’m covering 35+ different types of fairies from Celtic, Norse, Slavic, Japanese, Hawaiian, Mediterranean, and many other folk traditions. Whether you’re a beginner just learning about the fae folk or already deep into fairy work, you’ll find something useful here. I’ll go in-depth on the types of fairies I’ve personally worked with and provide solid background on the rest.

Fairy, faerie, or fae is the general term for the fae folk, which includes every type of fairy on this list. Think of it like calling yourself a human while also identifying with a specific country or culture — every type of fae is part of the fairy realm, but each type of fairy has its own name, traits, and cultural origin.

What Are Fairies? Where Did the Fae Originate?

There are many legends that try to explain where fairies come from.

One legend says fairies are simply nature spirits — always present in the elements as caretakers of the natural world. Another says they’re spirits of the dead, though this belief gained traction during the Victorian era when “death” became a major part of pop culture spirituality. Some traditions even consider certain fae to be ancient gods who were demoted to fairy status as new religions took hold.

In general, most types of fae exist near humans but remain separate and distinct. They live in our world but aren’t always on the same dimensional plane.

Fairies are neither inherently good nor bad — they all have individual personalities. Working with fairies is advanced practice and you do need to be careful. You can learn from them and gain magickal powers, but you can also incur their wrath if they feel slighted, or be tricked if you encounter a mischievous member of the fae.

It’s good to first learn about the different types of fairies and research the type you want to work with before beginning.

Many types of fairies consider themselves tied to one element. Pixies tend to be earth fairies, salamanders are fire fairies, and so on. Some fairies belong to more than one element, but this is rare. Fairies typically travel in groups according to the element they’re tied to.

Related: Everything You Need To Know About The Fae Folk

The Complete List of Fairy Types From A to Z

If you’re just starting out, focus on Brownies, Pixies, Elves, and Dryads, plus the Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Those are the types of fae you’re most likely to interact with, and the courts essentially run the fairy world.

1. Alven: Dutch Water Fairies

Alven are a type of fairy from Holland who attach themselves to bodies of water — lakes, rivers, and ponds, with the River Elbe being especially sacred to them. Alven travel by way of bubbles, climbing inside and floating to their destination.

When seen, alven are tiny enough to fit in a bubble or sometimes take the shapeshifted form of an otter (which is why they’re also called ottermaaner). They come out in hordes on the full moon, dancing and playing in the moonlight reflected on the water. Alven aren’t typically mean to humans unless you desecrate their home or pick night-blooming flowers near their sacred river.

2. Banshee: Irish Death Fairy

The Banshee — bean-sidhe in Irish — is the most well-known death fairy in fae lore, found in Ireland and Scotland, typically on the moors. She’s also called the Washer at the Fords and the Wailing Woman.

The Banshee is a female spirit/type of fairy who predicts death. Her cry is a haunting omen that’s typically heard right before someone dies, sometimes right outside the dying person’s window. If you see her washing bloody shrouds in the river, that’s also a sign that you or a family member will soon depart.

She can appear in different forms: a beautiful young woman, a stately matron, or an old, ugly hag. The Banshee isn’t often seen with the physical eye but she is certainly heard. She runs a comb through her long, silver hair while she cries — in some parts of Ireland, combs are considered bad luck purely because of her association with them.

The Banshee is believed to be attached to the old noble Irish families, and the Celtic war goddess The Morrigan is often linked to her (some believe they’re one and the same). Some traditions say there are many Banshees in Ireland; encountering a group of them is considered very bad luck compared to a single fairy.

She usually doesn’t harm those she encounters, but her cry predicts death somewhere in the area — not necessarily your own.

3. Ballybogs: Irish Bog Fairies

Ballybogs are bulbous little creatures that inhabit peat bogs in Ireland. Some sources say they can shift into frogs or other bog-dwelling animals. In their true form, they’re short with long arms, round noses, and skin colored like the bog itself.

This type of fairy is territorial of its home, so if you visit a peat bog, watch where you’re traipsing and be respectful.

4. Bean-tighe: Irish House Fairy

The bean-tighe (pronounced “bantee”) is the Irish version of the Scottish brownie — a pleasant household fairy who lives with a family and helps with chores. The name translates to “woman of the house,” and the main difference between her and the brownie is gender: the bean-tighe is female.

When she appears, she’s typically wearing tattered house-clothes, has a wrinkly face, and stands no taller than a few feet. She helps with household chores and watches over the children and animals in the home.

5. Boggarts: Mischievous Brownies Gone Bad

A Boggart is generally thought to be a Brownie turned bad. The Scottish boggart may actually be the original “boogie-man” — they look like brownies but are decidedly not nice, and they won’t do your chores. Some legends say they chew on wood like termites and try to suffocate children at night, which is exactly where the boogeyman tormenting children at night comes from.

Modern-day Boggarts haunt a home or a specific area like a trunk or closet, causing general issues. Typically, a Boggart is a Brownie who was treated badly. Over time, the mistreatment turns them, and they become attached to a property purely to cause trouble.

Alternatively, a Boggart can be a Brownie who stayed with a home after the family left. If the home falls into disrepair while the Brownie remains attached, they can start to go a bit feral and begin “haunting” the area.

Other Boggarts are simply Brownies who are mischievous in nature — there are always a few who are natural pranksters and delight in playing tricks on humans or scaring them.

If you do end up with a Boggart, you may need to do an exorcism of your home. Ideally, you avoid this entirely by treating any Brownie in your home well.

6. Brownies: Scottish Household Fairies

Brownies are your typical household spirit. They originated in Scottish folklore but show up in English and German folklore too.

Originally, Brownies were known as helpers for farmers, doing outdoor tasks during the night — shoveling hay, feeding the sheep, and so on. They’re short (about 3 feet tall) with pointed ears, brown complexions, and brown working clothes. They’re super earthly. When they don’t have a family, they tend to live underground because they don’t have wings.

J.K. Rowling clearly drew inspiration from Brownies for her house elves. They have a lot in common — but Brownies are never slaves and can leave a family or property anytime.

Brownies are drawn to the most deserving families, meaning the people who work hardest and most need extra help. When a Brownie sticks with a family for a while and is generally happy, they bring good luck to the household. They’re a magical magnet for luck.

If you have a Brownie living with you, keep your house tidy. Brownies will help you with chores but want you to keep the living area clean too. Don’t forget to feed your Brownie or they’ll get angry — they love milk, cookies, or honey left out at night. They simply want to feel thought-of.

Brownies will make friends with your pets and love being in households with animals. The classic Scottish illustration shows a Brownie sleeping with the barn cat. They’ll get angry if you mistreat your pets because they form tight bonds with animals.

Although Brownies can come out at any time, they’re nocturnal and do most of their chores at night. They’re shy and hate being spied on while cleaning.

How to attract a Brownie to your home:

Brownies prefer rural areas. Living on a farm makes your home especially attractive, but more nature in general is always better. They love homes with hiding places — chests, closets, and secret doors are ideal. They love cozy houses, so make your home as warm and happy as possible.

You can also put out a verbal request, or write the request on paper and burn it. But be careful: Brownies are fickle. If you upset them, they’ll either take off forever or cause problems in your home.

Don’t try to pay your Brownie or be too materialistic with them. They don’t want expensive items — just thoughtful presents like the food they enjoy, or a comfy little area set up for them in the home. Never give a Brownie clothes, either, as old folklore says this will make them leave.

If you treat your Brownie well, they can be incredibly loyal — some Brownies bond tightly with their families or even one specific member. Although Brownies can sometimes be “between” families, they’re social and generally like living around people. They’re some of the sweetest types of fairies who actually enjoy human company.

Want to invite a Brownie into your home? I make a Brownie Spell Candle that’s pre-charmed on my altar to call one in.

It’s topped with dried oats, nutmeg, and a daisy — all traditional Brownie offerings — and comes with a welcome ritual card. Unscented soy wax, hand-poured in small batches outside Salem. Light it, speak the words, leave a little cream out, and see what happens.

7. Buttery Sprites: English Pranksters

Buttery sprites are a type of fairy from England who were particularly active during Medieval times. They’re called buttery sprites because they love to steal freshly churned butter.

No one claims to have seen one — they come out at night and are likely invisible unless they want to be seen. They’re somewhere close to the pixie in nature and love to irritate and play pranks on hypocritical people.

8. Callicantzaroi: Mediterranean Goblin Fairies

Callicantzaroi are goblin-type fairies from old Mediterranean and Anatolian folklore. Their malevolent reputation may have been exaggerated with the rise of the church. These goblins ride on the backs of chickens, and their favorite food is pork.

They’re supposedly ugly little men who travel in groups along with other goblins and fairies. Illustrations show them with misformed teeth, donkey ears, and goat legs. They’re active on the nights approaching winter solstice and supposedly aren’t seen past the twelfth night. In Turkey, they’re equated with vampires and werewolves.

9. Changelings: Fairy Children Swapped for Human Babies

Changelings are a rather scary part of fairy legend. While they aren’t exactly a type of fae themselves, they’re in a league of their own.

According to legend, a changeling is a fairy child who has been swapped for a human child. The changeling grows up with human parents but won’t appear like a normal human child.

Fairies swap babies for several reasons, and each culture has its own version. Sometimes a fairy will swap a sick fae child with a healthy human child — this fae child either dies in infancy or grows up sickly, beautiful and artistic with fairy features but unhealthy. Other fairies swap their babies because they want a beautiful human child and feel their own is ugly, or to strengthen their bloodline if there’s sickness in it. Sometimes a fairy needs a talent that only a human child possesses.

Changelings are rare today, if they really exist at all anymore. The development of technology has made the practice dangerous for fairies. If you do encounter a changeling, you’ll notice their fairy features — they won’t look like their parents, will probably have some magickal skills, and may have trouble fitting in socially because fairies relate to each other very differently.

It’s unclear whether changelings ever truly existed or if this was a way to explain infant mortality and developmental differences in Medieval times. I can’t personally attest to whether they exist, but I won’t rule it out — most legends have some truth in them.

10. Chin-Chin Kobakama: Japanese House Fairies

The chin-chin kobakama is a Japanese house fairy that prefers the home — specifically the floors — to be kept clean. If the home is clean, they bless it. If it’s not, and the residents are lazy, this fairy picks on the inhabitants relentlessly.

They look like tiny, wizened elves but are surprisingly energetic. There’s an old Japanese fairy tale where a woman is tormented by “little men” living in her carpet; when her husband lashes out at them, they turn into toothpicks.

11. Devas: Glowing Plant Spirits

Devas are small fairies that look almost like fireflies. If you live in a wooded area, you’ve probably seen devas without knowing it.

The deva originated in Persia and Greece. They appear as bright orbs of light in nature, particularly in the woods, and love being around well-cared-for plants. They’re known to guide medical researchers or witches seeking to use plants for their medicinal qualities, but a Deva won’t stay near a plant that’s in decay.

12. Domovoi: Russian House Fairies

The Slavs have the domovoi — household spirits fond of the hearth who fiercely protect the Slavic home as long as they’re fed and kept appeased. The domovoi are a type of elf and live in the hearth’s flames.

The domovoi is a shapeshifter and appears as a little woman, man, cat, cow, or pig depending on its mood. He’s also called the Old Man of the House. This type of fairy is believed to have been an ancestor’s spirit — in some tales, the eldest person would be the first to enter a new home, would be the first to die, and so would become the home’s domovoi. The domovoi’s main job is to protect the home from other spirits, the elements, and dark magic.

13. Dryads: Tree Fairies

Dryads are types of fairies tied to trees. While they aren’t the actual spirit of the tree itself but a separate type of fae, if the tree dies, the dryad dies too.

Dryads originated in Greek mythology but their presence is worldwide. If you listen to trees blowing in the breeze, you’ll hear their whispers. They appear as pure wisps of light that dart from treetop to treetop. Dryads may even be the spirits who gave their name to the Celtic priesthood, the Druids — after all, Druid worship centered around trees, and tree groves were their sanctuaries.

Dryads don’t typically travel far from their trees. They’re attached to one specific area and do everything in their power to keep their tree alive. They look more favorably upon humans who care for their trees. They can be shy, but when they see a human caring for the environment and treating animals and nature well, they’re more likely to open up.

You can tell you have a dryad in your yard if any of your trees have a “face” appearance, or if you feel an active, different energy around a tree — that indicates the tree spirit also has a dryad attached.

If you want to chat with dryads in your backyard, first show them your spirit by caring for your trees. After a while, they’ll begin to trust you. It’s easier to communicate with dryads if you’re actually touching the tree and standing on the ground with bare feet, since they communicate through the earth.

Dryads are some of the sweetest types of fae. If you’re just dipping your toes into fae communication, I recommend starting here.

14. Elves: The Norse-Germanic Fae

Although Elves have become massively popular due to books and movies, legends about them date back thousands of years.

In Norse mythology, elves are essentially god-like — Freyr, King of the Elves, is treated as a god and divine ancestor to those of Swedish blood. The Prose Edda distinguishes between light elves and dark elves. While ingrained in Norse and Germanic mythos, elves appear worldwide.

Out of all the types of fairies, elves are closest to humans in size and stature. They’re a bit slimmer but similar in height, with high cheekbones, angular features, mesmerizing eyes, and pointed ears. They can also appear as tall radiant beings or as small as a mouse, depending on the tradition.

Many people in many cultures still believe elves exist. In Iceland, many caves are protected by the government because three-quarters of residents believe elves reside in them. In Germany, elves are known as expert weavers and spinners (which is where the fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin comes from — Rumpelstiltskin is an elf who spins gold). In the United States, elves are seen at the edges of forests and sometimes in quiet graveyards, always wearing green with green hats.

Elves are thought to be the type of fairy most likely to place changelings in human homes. While sometimes friendly toward humans, they can also take revenge if offended. They generally stay away from humans compared to other types of fae.

Legend says elves are the protectors and caretakers of the forest. They’re usually tied to the specific forest they protect and live in groups (called trooping elves when they travel together). They’re very smart and agile, with keener perception than humans, and they avoid technology in favor of nature.

15. Giants: The Largest of the Fae

Giants are another mythical being that belongs to the faery realm. Just because fairies are frequently depicted as tiny winged creatures doesn’t mean there aren’t fairies of gigantic proportions.

Enter the giants and ogres of fairy tale fame. Before fairy tales, giants were ingrained in Norse religious beliefs for thousands of years (so were elves and dwarves). Giants live in their own special realm, sometimes shown as a place in the clouds — like the giant in Jack and the Beanstalk.

16. Gnomes: Earth Elementals

Gnomes are one of the many types of fairies that live among tree roots and trunks of ancient trees in the forest.

The myth of Gnomes originated in Scotland but they’re thought to inhabit any wooded area, including many parts of the U.S. Male gnomes have long white beards and white hair, and wear pointed red hats with green or blue clothing. Female gnomes are sometimes seen holding their tiny babies. They mature quickly, so they typically appear old.

You’ll find gnomes in most natural, woodsy areas, and their diet depends on where they’re living. They enjoy fruit, nuts, vegetables (especially root vegetables), eggs, and mushrooms.

Gnomes are extremely connected to nature — they’re earth elementals, so they’re powerful with anything earth-related. If you want to work earth magic and manage to befriend a gnome, they can help you grow incredibly powerful. They’re also called upon when summoning the Guardians of the Watchtowers of the North in a magic circle. Ghob is the king of the gnome kingdom.

They’re known to care for animals and are natural healers, though they tend to use their powers for animals and plant life rather than humans. Gnomes are very shy and cautious — they stay far away from humans, especially due to their small size. When gnomes live in your garden, your garden will be blessed.

17. Greenies: Forest Camouflage Fairies

Greenies — also called moss people and flying leaves — are seen in nearly every forest in the world. They’re tiny fairies that dance and flit from tree to tree, but just when you think you see one, it’s gone. They’re experts at camouflaging themselves; even when you think you’ve caught one in a photo, you’ll look again and nothing’s there.

In Germany and Switzerland, they’re equated with butterflies. This winged fairy is active in spring and summer and is only found in the densest of woodlands. Some claim you can communicate with them by offering fresh milk and sweets — but be careful. They’re as capricious as pixies and won’t hesitate to play pranks or steal your things.

18. Hobgoblins: English Hearth Spirits

The hobgoblin is a type of fairy from Northern England and may be the same creature as the Scottish boggart. The name comes from “hob” (meaning elf) and “goblin” (meaning mischievous fairy).

According to old folklore, the hob was once a hearth spirit and helpful to the household. But as Christianity rose to power, the hob became the hobgoblin and was demonized. Hobgoblins look like Scottish brownies — small, hairy little men. They enjoyed doing chores around the house in exchange for food offerings and libations.

Shakespeare’s version of Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream is probably the most famous literary hobgoblin, with Dobby of the Harry Potter series being a close second. Like its Scottish counterpart, this type of fairy is helpful until it’s angered.

19. Irish Sea Water Guardians

Irish Sea Water Guardians are only a few inches tall but fiercely guard the Irish sea. These fairies are sacred to the Irish sea god Manann and are surrounded by a greenish-blue light. You won’t often see them with the naked eye but may see the light they give off.

These types of fae especially love storms. They surf the waves and bob up and down, friends with dolphins and other intelligent sea creatures. If any sea creature needs help, the Irish Sea Water Guardians will come to their aid.

20. Jimaninos: Mexican Cherub Fairies

The jimaninos are trooping fairies that fly in groups over Mexico, particularly on holy nights of the year. When seen, they look like cupids — fat, chubby children. There are both male jimaninos and female jimaninas.

This is where the theory of fairies being unbaptized children’s souls comes from. Since the jimaninos resemble children and fly in the sky, people who see them assume they’re lost children’s souls.

21. Kelpies: Carnivorous Water Horses

Kelpies are scary water fairies thought to be cannibalistic and carnivorous. According to Scottish and Irish legend, kelpies eat deer off the shoreline as well as other fairies and even humans.

Male kelpies are shapeshifters who can turn into handsome men to lure young women into the water. Typically the kelpie is seen in the form of a horse if it won’t reveal its true form — easily distinguished from physical horses because they look wet and sometimes have seaweed in their mane and tail. You can find kelpies in oceans, rivers, and streams.

A kelpie’s demeanor varies by legend. Sometimes they drag unsuspecting humans to the depths, sometimes they aid them. Some kelpies are even thought to be the source of classic monster legends like the Loch Ness Monster.

22. Knockers: Cornish Mine Fairies

Knockers are of Cornish origin, but this type of fairy is heard all over the world. Some don’t believe they’re fairies at all but frightening ghosts. They tend to make a lot of noise, hence their name.

Knockers are heard deep in the earth — in caves and mines. They’ve scared off many miners over the centuries, some who swore never to return to mining. Others claim knockers lead miners to riches. They’ve been known to jump out and make funny faces at miners. They can create cave-ins but have also helped lost miners find their way out, or guided rescue teams to caved-in workers.

The custom is to knock when you enter a mine to let them know you’re there, and to doff your hat in greeting. Others feed the knockers with food offerings.

23. Kobolds: Germanic Mine Fairies

Kobolds are types of fae who live in mines. There haven’t been many sightings, so it’s hard to say exactly what they look like.

Generally, Kobolds only interact with miners. Some are troublemakers and undo the miners’ progress, but others actually help — knocking on the tunnels to warn miners of a cave-in.

24. Leprechauns: Irish Cobbler Fairies

Leprechauns are well-known types of fairies, but they’re also very real. They appear as super small, aged men dressed in green or red, often wearing a pointed cap and smoking pipes. They’re mainly found in Ireland.

Even though most types of fae don’t have set jobs like humans, Leprechauns are the exception — they’re first and foremost cobblers but can also act as bankers in the fairy world. You’ll hear them coming by the tapping of their hammer; they always have a shoe and hammer in hand. Legend says Leprechauns are constantly crafting shoes because other fairies wear out their shoes nightly during revels and dances.

Leprechauns also love music and dancing themselves. They especially enjoy the fiddle, the Irish drum, and the harp. Sometimes a Leprechaun can even help a human with their musical abilities.

Some Leprechauns are distrustful and secretive around humans, but if you act kindly without expecting anything in return, they might bestow some of their gold upon you. Most Leprechauns avoid humans. It’s said that if a human captures a Leprechaun, the fairy must reveal the hiding place of his gold — but almost every human who has tried has been tricked and ended up with less than they started.

Leprechauns love gold and ale. They’re information brokers and always have a bit of information to sell, probably for a hefty price. They’re typically honest, though a few are tricksters.

Related: 3 Types Of Energy Vampires & How To Handle Them

25. Menehuna: Hawaiian Forest Fairies

Before the indigenous Hawaiians lived on the islands, a smaller race of people called the Menehuna are said to have lived there. Some of the lakes are said to have been built by them.

These fairies are tropical and seen in the forests of Polynesia. In addition to being expert builders, they’re treasure hoarders, similar to the Irish leprechaun. They’re capricious but typically benevolent to humans who respect Mother Earth.

26. Merfolk: Mermaids and Mermen

Mermaids are huge in pop culture, so most people don’t believe in them. But in the witch and magical community, Merfolk are very real.

Most of these fairies prefer to be known as “mer” or “merfolk,” though they’re called mermaids and mermen in pop culture. Merfolk are very beautiful (both men and women) — half human, half fish — who live in the oceans and seas.

There are stories painting Merfolk in both positive and negative lights. Some say they lured ships to the rocks and sailors to their deaths; others say they rescued drowning men. Mermaids and mermen have been seen all over the world, and nearly every culture has its own legends about them. Theories abound about their origins — are they spirits of the ocean, or hybrid human beings that took a different evolutionary path?

These fairies don’t live in homes. They swim throughout the oceans and frequently migrate, living in family units that can grow quite large. Merfolk protect everyone within their group.

Although Merfolk generally hide from humans, they’ve become more visible as the ocean grows polluted. They sometimes reach out to humans to try and stop further pollution.

27. Monaciello: Italian Wine Cellar Fairy

The monaciello is an Italian house fairy that guards the wine cellar. He wears a red hooded cloak and likes to partake of the wine inventory himself. Provide him with regular wine offerings and he’ll continue to protect your cellar.

Legend says the monaciello has a secret treasure, and if you can take his hood, you get his treasure. I don’t recommend stealing from a fairy, though — it never ends well.

28. Nixies: Germanic Water Fairies

Nixies (or the nixen) are water fairies with a tendency to lure unsuspecting sailors to their deaths on rocks. They also enjoy stirring up thunderstorms when humans encroach on their territory.

When they leave their river homes, they appear as beautiful and seductive women. You may be tempted, but you’ll know she’s a nixie if she appears wet and covered in water plant material. This water fairy was once seen often, trying to take men into the depths of the waters, but they’ve been seen less frequently over the past century.

29. Nymphs: Greek Nature Fairies

Nymphs are a type of fae from Greece, with many different sub-types: tree nymphs, water nymphs, wood nymphs, and more.

In some legends, nymphs have a reputation for being hyper-sexual. They’re generally known as beautiful females, but unlike Sirens, they’re relatively harmless. Nymphs can be a bit mischievous like all types of fairies, but they don’t hurt humans. Sometimes they even fall in love with humans and become quite committed.

30. Phookas: Irish Shapeshifting Fairies

The phooka is a fairy of Irish myth with the head of a person and the body of a horse. They’re always malevolent or mischievous and steal crops from farmers — especially any crops not harvested before Samhain (Halloween).

The phooka spooks children with no regard and has been known to kill livestock. Watch your babies, because the phooka rides around looking for the perfect child to steal and replace with a changeling. Phookas are typically seen after Samhain and before Midsummer, never in between. If you want to harvest plants after sunset, you risk meeting one.

31. Pixies: The Classic Garden Fairies

When you think of fairies, the image that pops into your head is probably a pixie, even if you don’t realize it.

Pixies are only about 4 inches tall and tend to live in gardens and woods. They’re the type of fae with the most contact with humans, so they show up a lot in pop culture and Disney movies (Tinkerbell from Peter Pan is a pixie). Other names for pixies include dusters, piskies, grigs, pechts, and pickers. There are theories suggesting “pixie” relates to the Picts, the ancient people who once occupied Scotland.

Although pixies are best known in southwestern England’s folklore, they live in any wooded area or garden. You can find them by walking into the woods or a pretty patch of flowers. Pixies will go anywhere there is nature.

Pixies have wings but are known as earth or nature fairies. They’re tiny with human-like figures and delicate wings that move extremely fast, almost like a hummingbird’s. Some pixies dress only in green while others prefer other colors of nature like blue or yellow. They’re especially active on the spring and summer sabbats — Ostara, Beltane, Litha, and Lughnasadh.

Pixies choose an area or community to live in, but these communities get torn up often when humans build homes and developments. When this happens, pixies in the area are traumatized and go into hiding. They may not leave entirely unless the area is totally decimated.

If you want to attract pixies, create woodsy areas or a pretty garden for them. Pixies appreciate both shelter and nature, and they’ll always check out a cute fairy house. Even though pixies enjoy contact with humans, they’re cunning and can delight in leading humans astray. They’re your typical mischievous fairy — every pixie has an individual personality, but as a group, they don’t understand human desperation or pain. They play a lot of jokes for fun, but these jokes don’t always seem funny to people and can cause real harm. They’re especially known for stealing from your home or hiding items so you can’t find them.

If you treat pixies well and give them gifts they approve of, they’ll respect you. They enjoy tiny houses, nectar, and honey. Leave a small offering if you’re interested in making contact, and plant flowers (especially those native to your area) to draw them in.

You probably won’t be able to find a pixie community because they magically cloak these areas — they like staying hidden, especially given the devastation of nature. But they’ll come to your area if you create a beautiful, natural spot. In return for your gifts, they’ll help your gardens flourish.

32. Red Caps: Murderous Scottish Fairies

As their name suggests, red caps are fairies who always wear red hats. They’re solitary fairies that haunt old ruins of castles and manors in Scotland and England. Sightings have been documented for centuries, even in modern times.

When you see a red cap, don’t get curious — run. He’s said to be a cannibal and will strike down anyone he feels threatened by. The red cap he wears is supposedly stained from blood. In addition to the cap, you’ll know him by his small stature, hairy body, and the scythe he carries. Perhaps he’s misunderstood, but I don’t think anyone wants to find out.

33. Rusalki: Russian Water Spirits

This water fairy is of Russian origin. The rusalki appear as women bathing in rivers and lakes. They’re typically not malevolent at first, but their games can become downright frightening — you might find yourself floating facedown in the river, realizing it just before taking a deep breath.

The rusalki are generally feared by Slavic people because of their torturous water games. Interestingly, before the nineteenth century the rusalki were considered benevolent, especially for fertility purposes — but they later transformed into more malicious demonic mermaid-type creatures in folklore. They’re always seen with long green hair, or naked with long light brown hair. Some stories say they tickle men to death and climb trees in the summer.

34. Salamanders: Fire Elementals

Salamanders aren’t the most well-known type of fae, but they’re powerful. Salamanders are fire elementals and incredibly helpful if you’re a witch working with fire — particularly useful in candle magic, where the spirit of fire is doing the heaviest work.

They appear as fiery lizards in red and orange tones, though they also show up as a classic fire fairy or even a ball of fire or light. Salamanders are some of the strongest elementals — they embody the spirit of fire itself. They come to the aid of humans or witches in matters of passion and revenge, as well as the physical manifestation of fire.

Like all types of fairies, Salamanders can be mischievous, so know what you’re doing before working with them. They get quite upset if they feel slighted and can wreak havoc.

35. Seelie Court: The “Blessed” Fairy Court

The Seelie Court is one of the most well-known aspects of fairy lore. They’re benevolent fairies who act as arbiters and judges in fae disputes.

The Seelie Court is typically seen at twilight conducting their courtly processions, especially active during spring and summer. Most members enjoy beautiful things — stunning dresses, harmonious instruments, delicate flowers, and dances. The Seelie Court is made of the most beautiful types of fairies.

They’re known to be somewhat friendly to humans — they sometimes seek help from humans and return human favors with kindness. But like any fairies, the Seelie Court has its mischievous members who can play tricks or take revenge if slighted.

The Seelie Court is the “good” counterpart to the Unseelie Court. Some legends say they fight; others say they’re polar opposites who simply avoid each other.

36. Selkies: Scottish Seal-Shifters

A Selkie is a type of fae that can change from a seal into a human at will. Selkies occupy the seas off the coast of Scotland, namely in Orkney, though their location is fluid. They take the form of grey or great seals while in the sea but can also appear as human women or classic fairies. They tend to come out on important seasonal days like Midsummer’s Eve.

Selkies are similar to merpeople but different in that they have no fish fins. Instead, they shed their seal skins when on land. Legend says Selkies occasionally mate with human men. Some tales claim a man can wed a Selkie if he finds her seal skin on the beach and hides it from her, but she’ll return to the sea once she finds it. Crying seven tears into the sea, according to folklore, will summon a male selkie to take as a lover.

37. Tomtra: Finnish House Fairies

The tomtra is a Finnish house fairy that protects the household. He wears brown clothes and a green hat — similar to the Scottish brownie but a bit grumpier. If he isn’t fed or is angered, he plays tricks on the home’s inhabitants.

He particularly dislikes sloppiness and the floors should be kept as clean as possible. The tomtra likes throwing things — small bouncy balls, paper clips, bits of debris. You’ll find tiny objects all over the floor when he’s angry about the floors being dirty.

38. Tuatha de Danann: The Irish Fairy Gods

The Tuatha de Danann — the People of the goddess Danu — were once the deities who ruled Ireland. The Fomorians drove them into the hills, where they remain to this day.

Technically, the Tuatha are gods, but they were eventually said to be fairies. Some writers say they are “gods yet not gods” — an anomaly. Danu, The Dagda, and The Morrigan are all gods and part of the Tuatha de Danann. They feature widely in many Irish myths and sagas, and modern Celtic pagans honor them in their practice. They’re trooping fairies but have every ability to show up solitary, anytime, anyplace. King Finvarra of Connacht is also one of the Tuatha.

39. Unseelie Court: The “Unblessed” Fairy Court

The Unseelie Court is the darker counterpart to the Seelie Court, made up of many types of fairies but particularly attracting lower types of fae such as Boggarts and Bogies.

The Unseelie Court is thought to be ugly or even hideous, and more than a bit scary. The court can be made up of dark fairies as well as lost spirits, so they’re most active during autumn (Halloween) and winter.

Dark magic is often the work of the Unseelie Court. They work with witches concerning black magic or make deals with humans, but these deals never end well for the human. Humans should stay far from the Unseelie Court — there’s virtually no way to get along with them, but many ways to make them angry.

The term “unseelie” translates to “unblessed.” Even in the fairy world, the Unseelie Court is dark, dangerous, and evil. The court travels at night on the winds. Members of the Unseelie Court can’t reproduce, so they’re said to steal humans and force them to join the court to keep their numbers up. Travelers going through wooded areas at night should be careful.

Related: Types Of Ghosts, Spirits, and Entities

40. Vile: Slavic Nature Spirits

The Vile are Slavic fairies comparable to nymphs — long-haired, beautiful female elemental spirits. Some live in the air on clouds, some in water, and some in woodlands.

The Vile resemble the Valkyries of Norse mythology in that they choose handsome strong men to assist in battle. They’re shapeshifters, taking the form of swans, wolves, and other birds. When they’re seen, they’re often dancing in circles in the wilderness. Never interrupt the dance of the Vile.

41. Will O’Wisp: Lights on the Water

The Will O’Wisp is a type of fae seen on bodies of water at night, appearing as a small firefly or flickering orb of light. They’re seen across the world and known by many names in different cultures.

Will O’Wisps typically appear in groups, so keep an eye out for clusters of flickering lights. They prefer calm waters over rough waves, so they’re more commonly found on lakes or ponds. Sometimes they’re also found in earthly areas like grassy hills or in the woods.

Some legends say they only appear as lights, while others say the lights are from lanterns the fairies carry as they revel. Generally when you see Will O’Wisps, you can assume they’re having a party — which they do almost nightly.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Different Types of Fairies

What are the most common types of fairies?

The most common types of fairies people encounter are Brownies, Pixies, Dryads, and Devas. These types of fae are the most likely to interact with humans because they live close to homes, gardens, and forests. If you’re new to working with the fae folk, these are the best starting points.

What’s the difference between fae, fairies, and the fae folk?

There’s no real difference — “fae,” “fairies,” “faeries,” and “the fae folk” are all general terms for the same realm of beings. Within that realm, there are many different types of fairies (pixies, brownies, elves, dryads, and so on), each with its own traits and cultural origin. Think of “fae folk” as the umbrella term and individual types of fairies as the specific categories underneath it.

Are different types of fairies real?

Many practitioners, witches, and folk magic traditions around the world believe that yes, the different types of fairies are real — just not always visible on our physical plane. In Iceland, for example, three-quarters of residents believe in elves, and the government actually protects certain caves and rocks because of it. Whether or not you believe the fae folk are literally real, the folklore and the practice of working with them goes back thousands of years across nearly every culture.

What are Celtic fairies called?

Celtic fairies include the Tuatha de Danann, the Banshee (bean-sidhe), Leprechauns, Phookas, Ballybogs, Selkies, Kelpies, and the Bean-tighe, among many others. Celtic fairy folklore is some of the richest in the world, with strong traditions in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Many of the most well-known types of fairies in popular culture come from Celtic origins.

What types of fairies are good or evil?

The fae folk are not inherently good or evil — they all have individual personalities. That said, some types of fairies are generally friendlier toward humans (Brownies, Dryads, Devas, Bean-tighe) while others are dangerous and best avoided (Red Caps, Kelpies, the Unseelie Court, Phookas). Even the friendly types of fae can turn on you if disrespected, which is why proper offerings, etiquette, and protection matter so much in fae work.

How do I know which type of fairy I’m encountering?

Look at the location, behavior, and appearance. Different types of fairies are tied to specific environments — water fairies live near rivers and oceans, tree fairies stay near specific trees, household fairies live in homes, mine fairies live in caves and mines. The fae folk also tend to dress and behave according to their type and culture. The descriptions in this guide cover the most distinguishing traits of each type of fairy so you can identify what you’re working with.

Which types of fae should beginners work with?

Beginners should start with the gentler, more human-friendly types of fairies: Brownies (household), Dryads (trees), and Devas (plants). These types of fae are forgiving of mistakes, respond well to simple offerings, and won’t punish you harshly for fae etiquette missteps. Avoid the Unseelie Court, Kelpies, Red Caps, and any of the more dangerous types of fairies until you have significant experience.

Working With the Fae: Final Thoughts

Whether you’re drawn to the sweet helpfulness of Brownies, the wisdom of Dryads, or the wild magic of Salamanders, working with the fae is a deeply rewarding practice — but one that requires respect, patience, and careful attention.

Start with the gentler types of fairies if you’re new: Brownies, Dryads, and Devas are all good entry points. As your skills and confidence grow, you can branch into elemental work or explore the courts. Always research before reaching out, leave appropriate offerings, and never make promises you can’t keep.

Working with the fae folk has a lot in common with working with a deity — both require respect, consistency, and a willingness to enter a real relationship with a being more powerful than you. If you’re not sure whether you’re ready for either kind of work, that’s a good place to start. And if you’re still figuring out what kind of practitioner you are in the first place, my guide to the different types of witches can help you find your path — fae work overlaps especially well with green witchcraft, hedge witchcraft, and folk magic.

If you want to open a respectful line of communication with the fae more broadly — not a specific type, but the realm itself — my Fair Folk Spell Candle is made for exactly that.

The Fair Folk don’t suffer carelessness, so this candle carries two intentions at once: to make you known to them, and to keep you protected while you do it. It’s topped with green jasper for grounding, dried wildflowers, and moss — botanicals with deep roots in fairy lore. Pre-charmed on my altar, hand-poured in small batches outside Salem, and it comes with an instruction card so you know exactly what to do. Light it, speak the words, leave an offering of cream, honey, or a bright coin nearby.