Aos Sí facts for kids

Riders of the Sidhe (1911), a painting by John Duncan

The aos sí (pronounced "eess shee") is an Irish term for a special, magical race. You might think of them as similar to fairies or elves. In Scottish mythology, they are called Sìth, but it sounds the same.

These magical beings are said to live in hidden places. They might live underground in fairy mounds, or across the western sea. Some believe they live in an invisible world that exists right alongside our human world. Old Irish stories, like the Lebor Gabála Érenn, describe this as a parallel universe. In this world, the aos sí walk among living people. The name aos sí means "people of the mounds" in the Irish language. These mounds are known as "the sídhe". In modern Irish, they are also called daoine sídhe (people of the mounds). In Scottish mythology, they are daoine sìth. People have different ideas about who they are. Some say they are ancient ancestors, others believe they are spirits of nature, or even goddesses and gods.

Sometimes, in English books, you might see aos sí simply called "the sídhe". This can be a bit confusing, as sídhe actually refers to the mounds where they live, not the people themselves.

Who are the Aos Sí?

In many old Gaelic stories, the aos sí are thought to be the Tuatha Dé Danann. These were the gods and powerful ancestors from Irish mythology. The stories say that when the mortal Sons of Míl Espáine invaded Ireland, the Tuatha Dé Danann agreed to leave. They went to live in the Otherworld, which is a magical, hidden realm. As part of their agreement, each group of the Tuatha Dé Danann was given its own special mound to live in.

In old folk beliefs, people often tried to keep the aos sí happy. They would leave offerings for them. People were careful not to make them angry or insult them. Often, they wouldn't even say their names directly. Instead, they would call them "The Good Neighbors," "The Fair Folk," or simply "The Folk." The most common names, aos sí and daoine sídhe, literally mean "people of the mounds." The aos sí are usually described as incredibly beautiful. However, they can also appear scary or hideous.

The aos sí are known as fierce guardians of their homes. These homes can be a fairy hill, a fairy ring, a special tree (like a hawthorn), or a particular lake or forest. People believe that if you disturb these places, the aos sí will get back at you. They might try to remove the people or things that invaded their homes. Many old tales talk about the changeling myth. This is where the aos sí might kidnap people who trespass. Or, they might replace human children with changelings as a punishment. The aos sí are often linked to certain times of the day or year. For example, at dusk and dawn, the Gaelic Otherworld is believed to come closer to our world. This makes it easier to meet the aos sí. Festivals like Samhain, Beltane, and Midsummer are also special times for them.

What are the Sídhe?

The word Sídhe refers to the hills or ancient burial mounds that you can see all over the Irish landscape. In modern Irish, the word is sí. In Scottish Gaelic, it's sìth. In older texts, sidh specifically meant the "palaces, courts, halls, or homes" of these otherworldly beings. Many of these sídhe have been found to be very old burial mounds. This has led some people to believe that the aos sí were the people who lived in Ireland before the Celts arrived.

The "Good People" (Daoine Maithe)

Daoine maithe is an Irish phrase that means "the good people." This is a common way to talk about fairies in Irish folklore. Because these stories were often told by word of mouth, their exact origins are not always clear. There are two main ideas about where fairies come from. They could be fallen angels, or they could be descendants of the Tuatha Dé Danann. If they are from the Tuatha Dé Danann, then they are the same as the Aos Sí. If they are fallen angels, the story says they fell from heaven. But their sins were not bad enough to send them to hell.

Fairies are usually human-like in appearance. However, there are some exceptions, like the Puca or the Mermaid. What really makes Irish fairies special are their magical powers and their moods. If you treat them with respect and kindness, Irish fairies can be very helpful and friendly. But if you treat them badly, they will react in a cruel way.

Different Types of Aos Sí

There are many different kinds of aos sí and daoine sìth.

• The banshee or bean sídhe (meaning "woman of the sídhe") is a famous one. She is a supernatural woman in Ireland who announces a coming death. She does this by wailing and crying loudly. Her Scottish version is the bean sìth.
• The Scottish bean nighe is a washerwoman. She is seen washing the bloody clothes or armor of someone who is about to die.
• The leanan sídhe is known as the "fairy lover."
• The cat sìth is a fairy cat.
• The Cù Sìth is a fairy dog.

The sluagh sídhe—which means "the fairy host"—is sometimes shown as a group of spirits flying through the air. These might be the spirits of the cursed, evil, or restless dead. The siabhra (pronounced "sheevra") might be a type of these smaller spirits. They are often known for being evil and causing mischief. However, in some folk songs, "sheevra" simply means "spirit" or "fairy."

List of Aos Sí Creatures

Creideamh Sí (The Fairy Faith)

A hawthorn tree, which is considered sacred to the Aos Sí in Irish and Celtic folklore.

Creideamh Sí is the Irish term for the "Fairy Faith." This is a set of beliefs and practices followed by people who want to stay on good terms with the aos sí. They want to avoid making them angry. Even today, in parts of Ireland, Scotland, and among people of Irish descent, it's still common to offer milk and traditional foods to the aos sí. These foods might include baked goods, apples, or berries. People who believe in the aos sí also know to leave their sacred places alone. They protect these places from damage, for example, from new roads or buildings.

Images for kids

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  Riders of the Sidhe (1911), a painting by John Duncan

See also

In Spanish: Aes Side para niños