The Mystery and Charm of the Tooth Fairy
The legend and myth of the Tooth Fairy is a delightful part of
our modern family culture. Kids dream about receiving a special
gift or money from this charming, magical fairy. Adults fondly
remember the Tooth Fairy as a wonderful childhood fantasy of
their youth, and they pass on the mystery and charm to their own
young children.
In most households, the Tooth Fairy operates under cover of
darkness, coming to visit after a child loses what are commonly
called baby teeth. Parents help perpetuate the fantasy by
showing their children how to place the lost tooth under their
sleeping pillow or in a special holder or pillow made just for
the Tooth Fairy. Then, the Tooth Fairy herself visits during the
middle of the night, exchanging the tooth for a gift or monetary
reward.
The Tooth Fairy is a lovely fantasy, but how exactly did she
originate?
FAIRIES, FAIRIES EVERYWHERE The beginnings of the Tooth Fairy
probably began many centuries ago in a culture that encouraged
folklore, legend, literature and the arts. Historians believe
that this would have been a culture where the concept and myth
of fairies was widely accepted -- possibly in Ireland or England.
We do know that the word fairy is derived from the French
spelling of faery. In a general sense, the mythical fairy dates
back to medieval days and was quite widespread, especially among
the Celtic peoples. References about magical fairies -- both
good and evil -- can be found in numerous paintings and
literature that predates Christianity.
Centuries later, the concept of the fairy became popular during
Shakespeare