- Leanan sídhe
In Celtic folklore, the Irish "leanan sídhe" (
Scottish Gaelic , "liannan shìth") 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 results 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 "leanan sídhe" 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.fact|date=December 2007 An alternate name is Lianhan Sidhe or Leanhaun Shee.From the Gaelic word " [http://www.ceantar.org/Dicts/MB2/mb24.html#leannan leannan] ," a sweetheart, concubine, or favourite. Also,
Sídhe , 'of the fairy mounds'.In Popular Culture
The "leanan sídhe" makes several appearances in
The Dresden Files as Harry Dresden's Godmother,The Leanansidhe .An alien "leanan sídhe" appears in an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
ee also
*
Aos Sí
*Bean SídheReferences
*cite book |last=Briggs |first=Katharine |authorlink=Katharine Mary Briggs|title=A Dictionary of Fairies|pages=p. 266|year=1976 |publisher=Penguin|location=Middlesex|isbn=0-14-00-4753-0
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