Leanan sídhe

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In Celtic folklore, the Irish leanan sídhe (Scottish Gaelic, liannan shìth , sometimes spelled Lianhan Sidhe or Leanhaun Shee) is a beautiful woman of the Aos Sí (or fairy folk) who takes a human lover. Lovers of the leanan sídhe are said to live brief, though highly inspired, lives.

The leanan sídhe is generally depicted as a beautiful muse, who offers inspiration to an artist in exchange for fame and glory; however, this exchange frequently in madness for the artist, and often premature death. W. B. Yeats popularized a slightly different perspective on these spirits with emphasis on their vampiric tendencies (a feature also shared by the Manx analogue the Lhiannan Shee):

"The Leanhaun Shee (fairy mistress) seeks the love of mortals. If they refuse, she must be their slave; if they consent, they are hers, and can only escape by finding another to take their place. The fairy lives on their life, and they waste away. Death is no escape from her. She is the Gaelic muse, for she gives inspiration to those she persecutes. The Gaelic poets die young, for she is restless, and will not let them remain long on earth - this malignant phantom." (Yeats)

The name comes from the Gaelic word "leannan", a sweetheart, concubine, or favourite. Also, Sídhe, "of the fairy mounds".

See also

• Aos Sí
• Bean Sídhe
• Succubus

References

• Briggs, Katharine (1976). A Dictionary of Fairies. Middlesex: Penguin. p. 266. ISBN 0-14-00-4753-0. 
• Yeats, William Butler (1967). Irish Fairy and Folk Tales (Modern Library). New York: Random house. p. 86. ISBN 0812968557. 
• Spooky Irish October - October 2007 Emerald Reflections - by Brian Witt