The fae consists of a range from standard humanoid-like creatures to demi-gods. They are so many and so varied that it is difficult to categorize them properly. To begin, the Seelie and Unseelie Courts are the most recognized means of sorting the fae and their hierarchies, but they aren’t the only ones. Let’s explore the variations.

Fae Origins

Seelie and Unseelie Courts originated in Scotland, although the early Germanic myth of light and dark elves parallels these later classifications. They were categorized as white, green, and black and divided into the elements: earth (incubi), water (neptuni), below the earth/fire (dusii), and air (spiritualia nequitie in celestibus).

Scottish folklore split them into the Seelie and Unseelie. The Seelie are more interested in the human world—seeking their help, warning them of offenses, repaying kindnesses, playing mischief, and avenging insults. The Unseelie are more darkly inclined, attacking without need for offense, and are often linked with witches.

French versions of the fae are split into good and evil, although many on both sides seem to be invested in the humans they come in contact with.

In Ireland, faeries are gentle and fond of music or dancing, or they are allied with the devil. They’re described as tall and playful versus small and malicious. Irish writers have also described the fae as trooping and solitary. Trooping faeries love singing and dancing but may or may not be friendly to humans. Solitary faeries, like leprechauns and banshees, live on their own and are more likely to be violent. Some denote a third group—the domestic faeries that live together as small families.

Cornish faeries have created a lot of debate amongst scholars over the types. Robert Hunt listed five: the Piskies, the Buccas, the Spriggans, the Bockles (or Knockers), and the Brownies.

Welsh’s official classifications of the Tylwyth Teg are the elves (Ellyllon), the household spirits (Bwbachod), the mine spirits (Coblynau), the lake maidens (Gwragedd Annwn), and the mountain spirits (Geyllion).

Many scholars warn against the overclassification of the fae. It’s impossible to do so fully as these categories are fluid and arbitrary.

Seelie and Unseelie Courts

The Seelie Court is often associated with the Summer Court—some claim they are separate courts, and some say the Summer Court rules the Seelie Court. The Spring Court is connected to a lesser extent. Overall, the Seelie are benevolent fae on the whole. They are often amicable but prone to mischief and overreactions. 

The Summer and Spring Courts prefer conjuring, illusionary, elemental fire, and nature magic.

The Unseelie Court leans toward more unsavory preferences. Although still debated, they are considered to be guided by the Winter and Autumn Courts. Aggressive and merciless, it’s best to avoid interactions with these fae as they freely lie and mislead others.

The Winter and Autumn Courts prefer illusionary, storm, and cold elemental magics.

The Court of Seasons

Each Court reflects the essence of the world during its season and is connected to one of the four elements.

Fierce, bold, and energetic, the Summer Court’s element is fire. Seen as the more benevolent fae, they are well-mannered but can still have the tendency to be cruel, although they don’t boast about it. They are frivolous and hot-headed.

Associated with water, the Spring Court is cheerful, optimistic, and peaceful. Calm and polite, they’re highly curious and enjoy luring humans with sweet dew. Renewal and seductive, they are the epitome of spring. 

The Winter Court is associated with air and considered aloof, harsh, and unforgiven. They look down on humans and brand themselves as evil with their tendency to brag about their cruel behavior. 

Patient, reflective, and wise, the Autumn Court connects with earth as its element. As malevolent as the Winter Court, they tend to do the dirty work. Strong, mysterious, and devious, these fae can be reasonable and return great favors.

The Shadow Courts

Wickedness that even those in the Unseelie Court won’t mess with exists in the Shadow Courts. Made of dreams and nightmares, the creatures of gloom and darkness linger on the skirts of the faerie courts, although most of them are not fae. Sacrifice is necessary for shadow magic, like the ability to change shape, making the Shadow Court more dangerous.

The Courtless

Some fae prefer not to get caught up in court politics and go their own way. Although a few can be seen in the Seelie and Unseelie Courts, most of the lesser fae steer clear.

Other Courts

Several recent popular series have created their own lesser courts along with the Seelie and Unseelie umbrella, like Sarah J. Mass’s A Court of Thorns and Roses has the Dawn Court, Day Court, and Night Court.

In the October Daye Series, Seanan McGuire created the Divided Courts. The Court of Cats, the kingdom with the Cat Sidhe, is excluded from the Divided Courts. They have monarchs who rule independently and are given more freedoms because of this.

The Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs established the reservations after coming out to the human world and leaving Underhill. Their hierarchy includes the Graylords as the ruling group, but many strong fae live wild in the human world as well.

Recommended Reading

In Frost by C.N. Crawford—our March ILVN Book Club Pick—the Seelie King is hosting a Hunger Games-esque tournament for his bride, inviting 100 female fae to compete for the rule of his kingdom. He has invited some different creatures, like the Dearg Due, the Banshees, and the Leannan Sidhe, giving the reader a taste of how different the people are in the fae world. The twist, of course, is that the king, Torin, is cursed to kill the woman he loves, thus he makes a pack with an exiled fae female who tells him off in a fit of drunken rage. What could possibly go wrong?

Join us for our discussion of Frost on March 28th at 1 pm CST for our Facebook Live Event!