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A changeling, also historically referred to as an auf or oaf, is a human -like creature found throughout much of European folklore. A changeling was a substitute left by a supernatural being when kidnapping a human being.
Changeling, in European folklore, a deformed or imbecilic offspring of fairies or elves substituted by them surreptitiously for a human infant. According to legend, the abducted human children are given to the devil or used to strengthen fairy stock.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- What Is The Irish Changeling?
- Symbols and Symbolism of The Changeling
- Importance of The Changeling in Modern Culture
The Irish changeling is one of the few Irish fairies that has a name that’s clear and simple to understand in English. Typically described as fairy children, the changelings are placed by other fairies in the beds of abducted human children. Sometimes, the changeling placed in the child’s place would be an adult and not a child. In both cases, howe...
The stories of changelings may be fascinating but the obvious truth behind them is horrifying. It’s clear that the story of changelings was often used to explain mental or physical disabilities of children. As people simply didn’t have the medical and scientific knowledge to understand why or how their child would develop seemingly random disabilit...
The changeling myth has influenced not only the behavior and culture of people in the past, but also modern art and culture. Many recent novels, stories, and even movies, TV shows, or video games feature Irish changelings or characters that are clearly inspired by them. Some of the more famous examples include Roger Zelazny’s 1981 Changeling, Elois...
Oct 1, 2024 · The changeling myth is rich with symbolism, reflecting the fears, beliefs, and social norms of rural Irish communities. At its core, the changeling represents the fear of the unknown and the anxieties surrounding childbirth, illness, and the Otherworld.
Oct 6, 2021 · One such creature, a tale to haunt any family, was the changeling, historically known as an oaf or an auf. The changeling appears again and again in folk tales throughout Europe. The changeling would appear in the bed of an infant, and superficially it resembled the child it replaced, but it was not human and the original child had disappeared.
- Bipin Dimri
Changeling mythology is a prevalent theme in European folklore, particularly in countries such as Ireland, Scotland, and Germany. The concept of changelings can be traced back to ancient Celtic and Germanic cultures, where they were believed to be the offspring of fairies or elves.
In Celtic folklore, a changeling refers to a fairy baby secretly exchanged for a human infant. Variations exist in Scottish, Irish, Manx, and Welsh traditions, each with unique terms. Changelings were often sickly, identified through rituals like placing them on a fire to reveal their true nature.
