What is a changeling?

A changeling is a creature found in folklore and mythology, most prominently in European traditions. It is generally described as a fairy or troll child that has been secretly swapped with a human baby.

• Origin: The belief in changelings arose as a way to explain unexplained illnesses, disabilities, or behavioral issues in infants. Rather than accepting a child might simply be unwell, people attributed it to a malevolent switch with a supernatural being.

• Appearance: Changelings are often described as being sickly, wizened, ugly, or behaving oddly. They might have an insatiable appetite, cry constantly, or display strange magical abilities. Older changelings disguised as babies may possess the knowledge and experience of adults.

• Motivation: The reasons behind the substitution vary depending on the folklore. Fairies might want a healthy human child to raise as their own, need a human baby to reinvigorate an aging fairy, or simply wish to cause mischief.

• Detection: Methods for detecting a changeling were diverse and often cruel. Common tests included leaving eggshells filled with water on the fire, placing the baby on a shovel in the fireplace, or mistreating the baby to provoke a reaction that would expose its true nature.

• Cures: If a changeling was suspected, various methods were employed to get rid of it and retrieve the human child. These could involve threats, torture, or even killing the changeling. Ironically, the same methods used for detection were often employed as cures.

• Modern Interpretations: Today, changelings are often used in fantasy literature and role-playing games. Modern interpretations frequently portray them as individuals with the ability to shapeshift or those who are caught between two worlds, neither fully human nor fully fairy.

Here are some keywords as links:

• Fairy
• Troll
• Folklore
• Mythology