Pixie, also spelled pixy, is an imaginary creature from European folklore, sometimes depicted as a tiny person dressed in green. Pixies are one of the “wee folk” of Celtic folk tradition, alongside fairies, brownies, elves, and goblins (see Fairy ). Pixies are small enough to sit on toadstools. Unlike many fairies, pixies do not have wings. Pixies usually wear shabby clothing.
Pixies normally dwell underground. They are associated with ancient monuments and earthworks scattered throughout the United Kingdom. These include barrows, stone circles, mounds, and standing stones. Beliefs about pixies changed as ancient traditions merged with Christian beliefs introduced to the region. Pixies were sometimes considered to be the spirits of unbaptized children or other lost souls. This association with human nature distinguishes pixies from fairies and other sprites, whose origins are entirely supernatural.
Pixies are usually harmless to humans. They sometimes perform tasks for gifts of honey and porridge. However, they are also shy. They will abandon a house if its inhabitants attempt to spy on the pixies or give them clothing. Pixies can also be mischievous. Like goblins, pixies are believed to love horses. They will ride a horse to exhaustion in races at night. In the morning, a horse’s owner finds the animal with a braided mane, too exhausted to work. Pixies will trick anyone who tries to follow them, leading the person astray before disappearing.
