Demons Verses Fairies – Non-Fiction

They are only two of countless entities. Because there are as many entities as there are nationalities. Some would even say there are as many of them as there are species. But since they are supernatural, they cannot be observed and documented as easily as us. Every country has its own name for what are similar creatures. In the Philippines, we call demons duwende and kapre. Fairies we call diwata and anito.

ABODE

Demons and fairies are similar to amphibians in that they live in two environments: the earth and a world beyond the veil. Both creatures live in woods, forests, rivers and swamps. When humans started building their homes in these places, the demons moved inside or under the houses, while the fairies occupied the backyards and gardens. Demons build their shelters on the earth itself, while fairies live in plants, flowers and trees.

APPEARANCE

They both resemble humans. Some demons are smaller than us, such as gnomes and imps. Others are taller, like giants and trolls. The less beastly or monstrous they look like, the stronger their powers are. The ones in my childhood home look like miniature elves from JRR Tolkien’s lore. Fairies are little people. Most of them are winged, but there are some who are not. Our family grimoire and journals, as well as local sightings, report them as looking exactly like us, except that they can only grow as tall as six inches.

TEMPERAMENT

Demons have a bigger ego. But fairies are more mischievous. The former will leave you alone, and when invoked respectfully, will help you faithfully. The latter like to hover around even when uninvited, and never quite grant a wish exactly as expected. Think of demons as Earth signs. Reliable and stable. Fairies would be Air signs. Capricious and mercurial.

POWERS

Cinderella’s tale got it right, with the fairy godmother’s spell dwindling by midnight. A fairy’s favors never last more than twenty-four hours. Demons’ can last forever, but in keeping with their Earthy personality, they are more realistic in nature. Fairies can create wonderful illusions and dreamlike states. Anything fantastical. Demons can give you concrete, material things like dresses and jewels.

OFFERINGS

Fairies love milk, butter and mead. Demons will only accept an offering you too would be glad to eat. Approach both courteously, almost as you would a deity. A demon compared to a fairy is less likely to disappoint you. But like humans, they can get emotionally attached and may refuse to ever leave you.