The Magical Pixie
Pixie Girl In Thought
All About The Magical Pixie
A pixie is a whimsical creature that was born into existence with no real purpose. They spent almost all of their day studying magic and their existence has always been thought of as peaceful and quiet.
They enjoyed a comfortable living in the forests but their tragic hours came from the evolution of pixies that had lost their wings, called llaiadains. This form of the pixie population was evil and they had lost their wings because of committing a crime against another pixie or the pixie kingdom. Because of this new mortal enemy, the sweet and magical pixies had to now become more vigilant so they could protect themselves. Because of the invasion of the llaiadains, the innocent pixies had to spend their time protecting their forests instead of just enjoying living carefree among them. Additionally, the growth of human population and land development destroyed a good amount of the surviving pixies.
Though referred to as fairies in the movie Fern Gully the magical creatures are more like pixies from mythology. In the movie their habitat is being destroyed, again by humans, and is only saved by the sacrifice of others and working together.
Pixie Hollow Characters
Characteristics Of A Pixie
As pixies hovered, you could see their beautifully colored, iridescent wings that reflected the light and left a trail of color floating about. Aside from being able to fly, they could easily turn themselves invisible and they were ridiculously fast. They were not overly obsessed with their looks but perhaps that was because they were so intoxicating and beautiful that they never had to fuss much.
They were often naked until the Victorian era that portrayed them as wearing a green outfit and hat with pointed ears, which accounts for Disney's representation of Tinkerbell.
Pixies were believed to punish neglect but reward consideration among humans and their presence brought many blessings to those that were fond of them. Some believed pixies to be from a human origin which gave them their love for horses. They loved to ride them and get tangled in their manes while exploring new areas. Pixies were also believed to be familiar with underwater caves and they created streams that nourished the land.
Pixie girl with Dragon
Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue Sneak Peek
Origin of Pixies
The pixie origin is still a bit uncertain although mythology seems to believe that they were created to predate the presence of Christianity in Britain. The legend was that pixies were the souls of unbaptized children who had died. By the turn of 1869, it was suggested that they were a racial remnant from Pict tribes that painted their skin blue, often an attribute affiliated with pixies. These tribes were a confederation that lived in what is known now as Scotland. This suggestion however, is generally dismissed.
The mythology of pixies was primarily found in Britain until the 19th century. Pixies began to be taken much more seriously because of Cornwall and Devon. Books were devoted to homely beliefs involving peasantry and they are filled with many incidents of great pixie manifestations. Near Challacombe, in Devon, there is a group of rocks that are believed to have once been an area where pixies lived. The rocks are near the Exmoor National Park which could have been a home to them.
In the Dartmoor legends, pixies were said to be known to disguise themselves as rags to attempt to lure children to play. These pixies were helpful to humans and often helped widows and some other needy people with their housework. They loved music and dancing as well. By the middle of the 19th century, any contact they were known for having with humans diminished.
Pixie Interpretations
The Victorian era saw pixies as magical beings. Nora Chesson, a 19th century English poet, wrote a famous poem called The Pixies where she spoke of these creatures as being in between. She said they were not especially blessed, nor were they cursed by god. Her interpretation of them was that they blessed the land and were harmless forest creatures that were ageless and loved humans.
Tinkerbell in Disneyland
Tinkerbell
The most famous pixie that has ever been is Tinkerbell from Disney's movie Peter Pan. She is referenced as a fairy but described as a pixie. She mended kettles and pots like an actual tinker, someone who repairs and makes things from light-colored metal.
At times Tinkerbell was nice to Peter but she could also be vindictive and ill-tempered which may account for having both pixie and fairy traits. She was many extremes in her personality and this could have been because of her small size, only allowing her to house one emotion at a time. She had the power to enable others by sprinkling them with pixie dust and it is suggested that she died after Wendy and the Darlings left Neverland.
She has been a very important branding icon to Disney for half a century and represents the magic of Disney. It is interesting however to note that Tinkerbell was also believed to have been created to represent Marilyn Monroe. Since Peter Pan, Tinkerbell's' representation of a pixie/fairy has spread her pixie dust in various commercials and also finished the final scene of Who Framed Roger Rabbit alongside Porky Pig.
Disney's interpretation of a Pixie has wrongfully represented them as an affiliation with fairies. Fairies were evil creatures that hurt humans and stole their babies while pixies were gentle, sweet, magical creatures that loved the human population.