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Legends & Lore: Fairy Rings

First, here’s what Wiki has to say on the subject, in part:

A fairy ring, also known as fairy circle, elf circle or pixie ring, is a naturally occurring ring or arc of mushrooms…Fairy rings also occupy a prominent place in European folklore as the location of gateways into elfin kingdoms, or places where elves gather and dance.

It is said that there are about 40 to 60 mushroom species which can grow in the fairy ring pattern. The best known is the edible Scotch bonnet (Marasmius oreades), which is commonly known as the fairy ring champignon.

One of the largest rings ever found is in France. Formed by Clitocybe geotropa, it is thought to be about 800 m in diameter and over 700 years old.

On the South Downs in southern England, Calocybe gambosa has formed huge fairy rings which appear to be several hundred years old.

…they are known as ronds de sorciers (“sorcerers’ rings”) in France, and hexenringe (“witches’ rings”) in German. In German tradition, fairy rings were thought to mark the site of witches’ dancing on Walpurgis Night, and Dutch superstition claimed that the circles show where the Devil set his milk churn. In the Tyrol, folklore attributed fairy rings to the fiery tales of flying dragons; once a dragon had created such a circle, nothing but toadstools could grow there for seven years. European superstitions routinely warned against entering a fairy ring. French tradition reported that fairy rings were guarded by giant bug-eyed toads that cursed those who violated the circles. In other parts of Europe, entering a fairy ring resulted in the loss of an eye. Outside of Europe, fairy rings are associated with diminutive spirits in the Philippines.

Scandinavian and Celtic traditions claimed that fairy rings are the result of elves or fairies dancing. Such ideas dated to at least the mediæval period; The Middle English term elferingewort (“elf-ring”), meaning “a ring of daisies caused by elves’ dancing” dates to the 12th century.

One of my favorite paintings is by the pre-Raphaelite artist, John William Waterhouse, depicting fairies dancing in a fairy ring.

Rings of all kinds are great devices when writing epic fantasy. I’ve used stone circles in my paranormal books as well. The circle is a powerful geometric shape and lends its special magic to fiction readily.

Whatever the scientific reason for mushrooms growing in a circle, it still seems somehow like magic. Even when the trick is revealed, we still marvel at the magician. In this case, even when science decides why these things happen, I think many of us will still be enchanted at the wonder of nature.

Although I’ve never seen a fairy ring in person, I’ve always wondered if I’d have the nerve to step into it if I somehow came across one. Would you?