“A
changeling is a
human-like creature found in
folklore and
folk religion throughout
Europe. A changeling was believed to be a
fairy child that had been left in place of a human child stolen by the fairies. The theme of the swapped child is common in medieval literature and reflects concern over infants thought to be afflicted with unexplained diseases, disorders, or developmental disabilities.
A changeling is typically identifiable via a number of traits; in Irish legend, a fairy child may appear sickly and won't grow in size like a normal child, and may have notable physical characteristics such as a beard or long teeth. They may also display intelligence far beyond their apparent years, as well as possess uncanny insight. A common way that a changeling could identify itself is through displaying unusual behaviour when it thinks it's alone, such as jumping about, dancing or playing an instrument — though this last example is found only within Irish and Scottish legend.
[1]”
...
“A
fairy (also fay, fae, fair folk) is a type of
mythicalbeing or
legendary creature found in the folklore of multiple European cultures (including
Celtic,
Slavic,
German,
English, and
French folklore), a form of
spirit, often described as
metaphysical,
supernatural, or
preternatural.
Myths and stories about fairies do not have a single origin, but are rather a collection of
folk beliefs from disparate sources. Various folk theories about the origins of fairies include casting them as either demoted
angels or
demons in a
Christian tradition, as minor deities in
Pagan belief systems, as spirits of the dead, as
prehistoric precursors to
humans, or as
elementals.
The label of fairy has at times applied only to specific
magical creatures with human appearance, small stature, magical powers, and a penchant for trickery. At other times it has been used to describe any magical creature, such as
goblins and
gnomes. Fairy has at times been used as an adjective, with a meaning equivalent to "enchanted" or "magical".
A Christian tenet held that fairies were a class of "demoted"
angels.
[16] One story described a group of angels revolting, and God ordering the gates of heaven shut; those still in heaven remained angels, those in hell became demons, and those caught in between became fairies.
[17] Others wrote that some angels, not being godly enough, yet not evil enough for hell, were thrown out of heaven.
[18] This concept may explain the tradition of paying a "teind" or
titheto hell; as fallen angels, although not quite devils, they could be viewed as subjects of Satan.
[19]
In England's
Theosophist circles of the 19th century, a belief in the "angelic" nature of fairies was reported.
[20] Entities referred to as
Devas were said to guide many processes of
nature, such as
evolution of organisms, growth of
plants, etc., many of which resided inside the Sun (Solar
Angels). The more Earthbound Devas included nature spirits,
elementals, and fairies,
[21] which were described as appearing in the form of colored flames, roughly the size of a human.
[22]”