Drake (fairy)

A Drake is type of fairy figure found across European folklore that mixes the characteristics of fairy beings, and dragons.

Even though the term "drake" has become synonymous to legendary dragons, fairy drakes stand alone as their own folkloric figure. Heterogeneous by nature, drake descriptions vary according to local folklore. Generally, they appear to be little house fairy beings who smell like rotten eggs, wear red caps and white tunics, except for when they fly, for it is then that they become a will o' wisp figure, changing into a tiny flaming ball with a big head, and a long trail, giving the illusion of a tiny dragon, which also gives them the nickname "Fire-drake" - a term that runs synonymous to the dragons of Norse, Teutonic, and Celtic mythology who are said to guard treasures, such as the creature that kills Beowulf in the 8th/11th century English poem. Unsurprisingly enough, fairy drakes are also said to guard treasures when encountered in their will o' wisp form. This description changes in Finnish folklore, where the krat (drake variant) is always depicted as a tiny dragon, yet still is depicted as a house fairy. They form strong bonds with families (especially the fathers), being able to travel across the world doing chores for their masters, bringing them essential medicine, exotic foods, and gifts, in exchange for being taken cared of. They can aslo become revengeful, able to unleash powerful destructive forces. ^[1]

References

1. ^ Franco Bejarano. "Drakes: The Fairy Dragons of Europe." CulturePotion.[1]