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Fairies are often imagined as tiny, humanoid creatures fluttering about, enveloped in a shimmering glow. They are frequently portrayed as mischievous, like Tinkerbell in Peter Pan, or kind-hearted, such as the fairy godmothers in numerous Disney movies. Yet, fairies aren’t confined to these clichés—many cultural folktales describe them as ruthless and terrifying beings capable of bringing even the bravest to tears. When they weren’t being menacing, they were often acting out of pure selfishness.
10. Leanhaum-Shee
The Leanhaum-Shee was a fairy with vampiric traits, known to hunt men on the Isle of Man. She would take the form of a beautiful young woman to lure her prey—if successful, the man would become her lover. If he resisted, she would brutally kill him and drain his blood. Even for those who succumbed to her charms, the outcome was grim—the Leanhaum-Shee would slowly drain their life force during their encounters, leaving them as hollow shells until they perished.
This fairy collected the blood of her victims in a cauldron, using it to maintain her strength and youthful appearance. She also shared some of the blood with her lover to fuel his creativity for writing romantic poetry. If you’re a 40-year-old virgin with a death wish and struggling with writer’s block, she might just be your muse.
9. Gan Ceanach
In Irish and Scottish folklore, this fairy was known to leave women pining away for him. Known as the Gan Ceanach, or “love talker,” he was a tiny Casanova who frequented secluded spots in search of female companionship. Once he found a target, he would charm her until she fell deeply in love. After a final kiss—though some tales suggest more intimate encounters—the Gan Ceanach would disappear, leaving the woman to obsess over him until her death. Men didn’t fare much better—a mere encounter with this fairy would drive them to squander their wealth on lavish gifts for their partners.
8. Bendith Y Mamau
Ironically named “mother’s blessing,” this group of Welsh fairies was notorious for a particularly cruel habit—child abduction. They would steal human babies and replace them with their own malformed offspring, known as “crimbils.” Parents often had to seek the help of a witch to recover their child, though occasionally the Bendith would return the baby after teaching them to create and enjoy music.
Beyond kidnapping, these fairies were known to exhaust horses by riding them relentlessly. To appease them, people would leave milk outside their homes and refer to them with great respect. Interestingly, the Bendiths were originally called Melliths (“mother’s curse”), but the name was avoided to prevent angering them.
7. Bannik
This fairy demanded his personal space in the bathroom. Bannik, portrayed as a cranky old man in Russian folklore, was the guardian of bathhouses and had the ability to shapeshift and predict the future. Occasionally, just to be troublesome, Bannik would invite other supernatural beings to join him in the bathhouse. Those who sensed his presence would behave respectfully, removing Christian symbols and other items near the bathhouse. They also offered Bannik and his companions soap and birch twigs. If someone wished to glimpse the future, they would expose their back to Bannik, who would tap it gently for good fortune or scratch it for bad.
6. Fachan
Scottish legends describe these fairies in such a way that they seem more like monsters. The Fachan were indeed terrifying, with appearances so grotesque that the mere sight of them was said to cause heart failure. Covered in fur from head to toe, they had single body parts—one eye, one hand, one leg—all aligned along the center of their bodies.
Unlike typical fairies, the Fachan couldn’t fly and harbored resentment toward those who could. Violent and fiercely territorial, they always carried a spiked club or chain to attack anyone who ventured into their domain. This is certainly not a fairy tale character suitable for bedtime stories.
5. Sluagh
In Scottish folklore, the Sluagh were believed to be fairies made up of the souls of wicked individuals and those who died without baptism. This hostile group typically flew at night, engaging in internal conflicts and searching for prey. Victims would be seized and dropped from extreme heights. The Sluagh also displayed cruel tendencies, occasionally forcing their targets to shoot poisoned arrows at others, including animals.
To protect themselves from the Sluagh, people would shut their west-facing windows, as the swarm often approached from that direction. Their foul, corpse-like odor also served as a warning of their arrival.
4. Berberoka
The Berberoka were perilous fairies inhabiting the swamps and rivers of the Philippines, targeting fishermen who ventured into these waters. They employed a clever trap—by swallowing all the water in a specific area, they exposed the fish, luring unsuspecting fishermen. Once the victims arrived, the Berberoka would release the water, overturning their boats. They then dragged the fishermen underwater and devoured them without mercy.
3. Storm Hag
The Storm Hag, a fairy residing in Lake Erie, was said to cause numerous shipwrecks in the region. Described as a hideous woman with greenish skin, sharp teeth, yellowed eyes, and sharp facial features, she wielded fingernails laced with a potent paralyzing venom to immobilize her prey.
Before launching her assault on a ship, the Storm Hag would chant a haunting melody predicting the crew's fate, followed by conjuring a devastating storm. She would then ride the waves, using her long arms to seize sailors. In some versions, she waited for the storm to subside before unleashing lightning and fierce winds to destroy the vessel.
2. Ankou
In Celtic folklore, Ankou, the personification of death, was once a nameless prince who reveled in hunting and daring exploits. During a hunt, he encountered Death, who challenged him to a contest—the victor would determine the loser's fate. The prince lost and was cursed by Death to collect souls for eternity.
From that day, Ankou wandered the earth in a horse-drawn cart, gathering the souls of the deceased. He is portrayed as a shadowy figure cloaked in black, his face concealed. In some tales, he is aided by skeletal assistants who toss the newly claimed souls into the cart. A chilling breeze heralded Ankou's arrival, signaling the impending death of those nearby.
1. Red Cap
Red Caps, originating in Scotland (notice a pattern?), were the Jason Voorhees of the fairy realm—ruthless and relentless. Despite their appearance as frail old men, they possessed razor-sharp claws and teeth, along with immense strength capable of overpowering grown men. To add to their terror, they wielded scythes, which they used to mercilessly slaughter their victims.
After their gruesome killings, the Red Cap would soak up the blood with its hat, giving it its name. These fairies were also rumored to be cannibals, consuming both humans and other fairies. The only defense against these deadly creatures was to quickly recite biblical verses, as Red Caps were not only immensely strong but also astonishingly fast.
