The legend and myth of
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 Tooth Fairy as a wonderful childhood fantasy of their youth, and they pass on mystery and charm to their own young children. In most households, Tooth Fairy operates under cover of darkness, coming to visit after a child loses what are commonly called baby teeth. Parents help perpetuate fantasy by showing their children how to place lost tooth under their sleeping pillow or in a special holder or pillow made just for Tooth Fairy. Then, Tooth Fairy herself visits during middle of night, exchanging 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 Tooth Fairy probably began many centuries ago in a culture that encouraged folklore, legend, literature and arts. Historians believe that this would have been a culture where concept and myth of fairies was widely accepted -- possibly in Ireland or England.
We do know that word fairy is derived from French spelling of faery. In a general sense, mythical fairy dates back to medieval days and was quite widespread, especially among Celtic peoples. References about magical fairies -- both good and evil -- can be found in numerous paintings and literature that predates Christianity.
Centuries later, concept of fairy became popular during Shakespeare’s day, as he and other writers of that time period gave them prominent roles in their plays, poems and other writings.
A MAGICAL MYTH BEGINS TO EVOLVE So how did Tooth Fairy as we know it today begin to take root? There are several theories.
Among Nordic people, it is widely believed that Vikings had a “tooth fee,” that was paid to children when they lost a tooth. Once paid for, these teeth were probably strung together to make a necklace or some other type of adornment that Viking warriors wore into battle.
In Medieval Europe, it was common to bury a child’s tooth in ground, usually in a garden or a field close to home. Supposedly, tooth was buried so that a new one would be free to grow in its place, and it discouraged evil witches from finding tooth and putting a curse on child.
When Europeans and others began migrating to New World in great numbers during 17th century, they brought their superstitious beliefs with them. But as towns and cities took shape, people found that they sometimes didn’t have a place to bury teeth. Instead, lost tooth was often placed in a small planter, perhaps on a window sill or just outside a door.
No one really knows what prompted parents to begin putting tooth under a child’s pillow or when practice of leaving a gift became widespread. However, it probably began to be part of our American folklore sometime during late 19th century.
