Tündér Faerie in Hungarian Folklore

The Tündér is an Hungarian faerie that is fair and benevolent.
They are nature spirits that dwell in lofty castles high in the mountains. Some live in lush palaces decked with gems on islands surrounded by fabulous gardens, others live in massive castles beneath lakes.

Tündér fae can shape-shift from human form to birds, mammals, trees or fish. They can also shift an invisible mode.
Tündér acquire endless wealth due to their body fluids are magical and can produce precious metals and gemstones.

According to Hungarian legend when they weep, their tears transform into pearls. They bequeath some of their pearls to  the poor, especially to orphans.
Tündér, at times marry mortals like the most famous faerie named Ilona. In this tale she marries a prince named Argyilus. 
One evening Prince Argyilus observes some faeries that shape-shifted into ravens, pinching golden apples from a magical tree from his father’s orchard. He clambers up the tree in order to find the faerie he loves.
This magnificent tree is similar to Yggdrasil.
The prince asks the sun, wind and moon about the fair Ilona, unfortunately they are unable to aid him.

The prince continues on  and asks the forest  creatures where he can locate the faerie, a disabled wolf explains that a witch locked Ilona in a castle tower.

The witch had cast a spell upon her and the faerie was in a deep sleep similar to the tale of ‘Sleeping Beauty.’
After three nights by Ilona’s side he kisses her and she awakens.

In Hungarian and Vogul folklore, Geza Roheim tells the tale that the faerie queen Ilona appeared as a swan wading down the Danube and links her with the swan goddess in pre-Christian Hungary.
This supernatural being could appear or disappear at will and cause other things to do the same. In Transylvania folks term the Milky Way as the “Faerie Way.” In the Old Hungarian language, Hungarians called these faeries “Swans” or “Pretty Ladies.”

 

Faerie below by Nifty Buckles©2017-2020

Sources & References:

• Skye Alexander, Fairies The Myths, Legends, & Lore  ©2014 by F+W Media, Inc. Published by Adams Media. ISBN 10:1-4405-7305-0
• Ferenc Szilágyi, Explains Many Names, Bp., RTV-Minerva, 1987. ISBN 9632233980
• Featured art: A portrait of a fairy (1869) by Sophie Andersen In Public Domain