People have always dreamed of fantastical creatures, terrifying and gentle, hideous and beautiful. But especially of fairies. Why? Because they’re the ones most like us. Fairies can be good or bad, kind or selfish, pure or besmirched. Just like us. Yes, fairytales offer us escape. But they also offer us encouragement when it comes to facing real-life dragons. For all great fantasy stories are true on one essential level: They’re about us.
Click on any image to enlarge it, or to begin slide show.
Some Fairy Facts
“Tink was not all bad: or, rather, she was all bad just now, but, on the other hand, sometimes she was all good. Fairies have to be one thing or the other, because being so small they unfortunately have room for only one feeling at a time.” ~J.M. Barrie
“Don’t you know that everybody’s got a Fairyland of their own?” ~P.L. Travers
“O, to be sure, we laugh less and play less and wear uncomfortable disguises like adults, but beneath the costume is the child we always are, whose needs are simple, whose daily life is still best described by fairytales.” ~Leo Rosten
“It is a true fact that faeries, just like people, very often find that a full belly and a good friend are all that they need to be happy.” ~C.S. Einfeld
“Fairies come in all shapes, colours, sizes and types, they don’t have to be fluffy. They can be demanding and furious if they like. They do, however, have to wear a tiara. That much is compulsory.” ~Dawn French
“In a utilitarian age, of all other times, it is a matter of grave importance that fairytales should be respected.” ~Charles Dickens
“When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than any talent for abstract, positive thinking.” ~Albert Einstein
“Classic fairy tales do not deny the existence of heartache and sorrow, but they do deny universal defeat.” ~Greenhaven Press
“Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairytales again.”
~C.S. Lewis
💚🦋
I never really liked fairytales except for Sleeping Beauty because I thought they were scary but my son now teaches a course in it at university- mostly German fairytales which is funny because I never really read them to him because I didn’t want him to be frightened.
Apparently, you suceeded in teaching him not to be afraid. ;>)
I’m not sure about that, but I’ll ask him.
Sleeping beauty was dark too…
I didn’t see it that way. All I remember was being saved by a kiss.
https://explainingthebible.com/sleeping-beauty/
I’ll leave bible things to my rabbi grandfather and/or my son who teaches Jewish studies at uni in addition to German language and Fairytales. I’ve visited your blog so I know what you write about, but to me, it’s all a bunch of fairytales or simply another way for the patriarchy to dominate females. 🙂
Believe me, it’s not about dominating women or misogyny. That’s a “false flag,” but believe what you will. As for Rabbis, you might be interested in Rabbi Kurt Schneider.
Thank you for your thoughts. We have a difference of opinion — and at my age, I’ve probably heard and read it all — not interested in a male (rabbi or not) explaining things to me. As you said, I do believe what I want; we all do. I stay in my wheelhouse and don’t expect anyone else to agree or disagree, nor do I care, as I’m in my own lane. We all have free will.
Subliminal messaging, subconscious,…
More accurate is that my dad called me Rosebud (Princess came later) and I dreamed that a knight in shining armor would sweep me away to a castle. I don’t do subtlety well. I don’t live in the shadowy areas.
Great! I grew up listening to Faerie stories and loved Tolkiens’s high fantasy as a teenager.
In Greece, they do not look at it as Mythology, theycall it History!
When one looks at the various cultures, including our Bible, there are nany creatures we want to interpret as fantasy when in reality….
Indeed, “when in reality…”
Good stuff
We all need a hobbit in our lives. Even Gandolf will do.
Great images and quotes, Mitch! My fave quote is Einstein’s.
Believing is fairy important.
If a person is a Christian they need to be careful concerning the minds and imaginations of mankind. For not all fantasies or imaginations are good or promote the Kingdom of God. Christians shouldn’t romanticize dragons, fairies, or other “magical” or “mystical” creatures that are evil. Rather Christians should promote that which is godly, not that which isn’t of God.
For what are “fairies” or other such things? Are they just works of vivid imaginations or Angels or demons mistaken as something else due to ignorance? What of dragons? Sure there are children’s stories and fairytales were a knight in shining armor saves a beautiful damsel by slaying a dragon, or the knight wins the heart of a beautiful damsel because of his bravery in slaying a dragon, or a young man becomes a knight by slaying a dragon and receives the prize of the king’s daughter for a wife.
However, in the spiritual realm dragons are evil, for they are devils/demons. In fact, the Bible refers to Satan as the old dragon or serpent and the “red dragon” (ref. Revelation 12). Dark Angels or “fallen angels” mustn’t be worshipped. What about wizards and magic? These things aren’t of God either and shouldn’t be glamorized. Wizardry is sorcery and Bible makes it clear the sorcery/witchcraft is very evil, and magic isn’t of God.
This is something people need to be aware of but not glorify. So, Christians mustn’t be agents or promoters of evil. Christians need to be spiritually minded and discerning. It may all seem to be harmless or benign, but it’s not. There is spiritual warfare going on and the mind is a battleground. If it’s to teach others to be aware of these things and to help others to be equipped and prepared for spiritual warfare, then that’s acceptable. However, Christians must be aiding and abetting the enemy.
where is @catsartpics when i need her to rewrite
Rudy, Mitch had said you’d be okay. Didn’t he?
yes i need cora right now to reply
That’s beyond me Rudy
yes she replied on mitch’s article & no reply from me
i am waiting for them
Typo…
Christians mustn’t be aiding and abetting the enemy.
Do you mean Christians must not be aiding and abetting the enemy? I think these images are frightening. I agree, there is a spiritual war going on and we have to be so careful of the wolves out there, which is also like the fairy tale warnings about the big bad wolf out there. The bible warns us better about these things as 2 Corinthians 11;14 warns us, the evil one comes disguised as an angel of light….and isn’t that what a fairy is after all, surrounded by light but wicked in appearance. Harmless to anyone blinded and without discernment. I loved fairy tales growing up, still have my collection of them, old 1930’s German books my Swedish uncle gave me. He didn’t believe in the God I believe in though, he was viking all the way, down to Odin and Runes but I still loved him. But I love Jesus more. You are correct in being careful of these fairies and the messages they may bring. Their beauty at times can be mesmerizing…and that’s all part of the Spiritual battle we are in. God bless you and yours. It takes courage nowadays to speak up anymore. Thank you.
You’re correct, thank you for catching my typographical error (I don’t know if it was my fat-fingers, autocorrect, AI, or…).
Yes, it should read, “Christians mustn’t be aiding and abetting the enemy.”
God bless you too… Shalom…
This post may be clearer,
https://getrightwithgodbeforeitstoolate.wordpress.com/2025/05/30/all-fun-and-games/
I love Bronlima’s comment…”believing is fairy important”. 💕
;>)
Gregory Mcguire is a big proponant of fairy tales for adults. (I heard a talk he gave on it at a writing conference.)
How cool, Liz.
‘Twas!
Albert Einstein had quite an imagination to the amazement of everyone but his college professors. 🙂
hola cora i am praying & want to see your handwriting from 0 to 100
Loved most of the images… except for the elf on a stand who was having a problem with diarrhea.😂
;>)
Love the C.S. Lewis quote. Nice post, Mitch 😎
Thanks, Darryl.
I grew up on fairy tales and I love them all. Now create my own and enjoy that even more. We had a beautiful book, I can’t recall the name but the illustrations were stunning – I would stare at them for ages.
Ah, when a child’s imagination is encouraged…
Beautiful photos and quotes.
Those are incredible and amazing pictures
🤔 I’ve always been young enough to read fairytales
Great intro to some great photos and quotes
Thank you, my Anonymous friend.
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I disagree with some of what another commenter said about young children [especially girls] believing in fairies . I imagine the fairies as they appear in the old Victorian illustrations, in the flower garden or woods with bluebell flower caps and ‘gossamer wings’, playing with ladybugs and butterflies – what is so wrong about believing that for a little girl. . I don’t interpret that as against God, the devil’s minions, just a harmless fun little fantasy that children outgrow.
To me a young girl’s belief in fairies is akin to believing in Peter Rabbit and his friends. It’s fun to imagine their home in a hollow of a tree, with mama bunny in an apron ironing tiny bunny clothes or at the stove making a tiny cake while Peter and his siblings sit in tiny chairs at the table. But a little girl who enjoys the stories /fantasies soon enough understands it’s not real, in the way fairies aren’t real and there is really nothing negative or sinister about it
First of all, all glory belongs to God!
Granted, I don’t have all of the answers, nor do I have understanding about everything. We’re not supposed to know or understand everything because we’re not God. But God knows and understands everything, after all He is God. Nonetheless, the Lord expects us to be discerning and not to be deceived.
That being said, we need to be careful what we allow into our hearts and minds, and as for parents they’re to be guardians for their children. The Devil is shrewd and he knows that children, especially young children, are the most vulnerable and susceptible. Satan’s tactics can be very subtle in that a person may say, “It’s only a little thing” or “what”s the harm in that?” Unwittingly you’ve given the Evil One and his minions an opening.
As it is written, “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11, KJV), “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV), and “and don’t give the Devil an opportunity.” (Ephesians 4:27, HCSB).
I do understand your point about vigilance of what children are exposed to. Yes, there surely is evil in many forms and disguises in the world – but not everything is evil per se. I think your definition of fairies in particular is different from mine, that was what I was addressing.
True, not everything is evil per se.
I love fairytales, but the old fashioned kind before everything got all Disney-fied. LOL, they probably aren’t appropriate for children, but they do offer some wonderful life lessons and lots of wisdom!
Love this! Great images and quotes!
Love those quotes, especially the last by Lewis. I am very much looking forward to sharing fairytales with my now 3yr old grandson. So I guess I am “old enough”!
Das Unbewusste gibt jedem Menschen in der Nacht die Aufgabe den Traum zu verstehen. Damit die Wanderung im Drama der Seele, von innen, hinaus in den Alltag damit besser bestehen zu können.
Mythical creatures in general are fascinating! Especially fairies. Can be happy, polite, quiet, sneaky, mischievous… your right, they are like us.
Fairy tales and fairies can be quite different. Think a Victorian obsession trying to prove their existence.
Those photos of fairies by the 2 girls in England, 1917, was such a big thing, people believed it. They later said it was an elaborate practical joke on their family that quickly got out of hand in a big way, then they were afraid to admit it for many years.
One of them said people believed it was real because they wanted to believe it. The way those fairies are pictured is forever in my head as what fairies would look like, I like that
While in school we read quite a few stories about fairies in my indigenous community. Legend was that they lived in the caves underwater and would appear to some. They also tried to get married to humans which don’t turn out well, obviously.
!!
I’ve always viewed fairy tales in the same way that I see my children’s attempts at baking bread or painting pictures. A messy, imperfect, yet beautiful reflection of us trying to be like our greatest Storyteller. Ultimately, we just want to look at His work, and show him ours. 🙂
So true, and beautifully said, Yael.
The last quote by C.S. Lewis hits different. I like it .