The Pearl of Beauty

Origin: Isle of Man

Fand, a sea spirit, was once the bride of Manannan, powerful king of the sea. (They divorced, but periodically reconcile.) She manifests in the guise of a beautiful woman but also as a magical sea bird whose sweet song can lull humans to sleep. She travels among a flock of similar magic birds: they travel in pairs linked by silver chains. Only Fand and her sister, Liban, are linked by a gold chain, indicating their power, supremacy, and uniqueness.

Fand is most famous from a myth involving Irish hero Cu Chulain. Seeking to capture a pair of these beautiful birds for his wife, of course, he sought the pair with the gold chain. He threw his spear, which went between their wings. The birds mysteriously disappeared, but later Fand and Liban manifesting in the form of women appeared to Cu Chulain in a vision and brutallyhorsewhipped him. Visions can be real: Cu Chulain was ill and incapacitated for a year. (Eventually, following his recovery, Fand sought his help in battle. They fell in love and had a passionate affair, much to the displeasure of Cu Chulain’s wife.) This seductive, beautiful, powerful spirit is now classified as a Fairy Queen.

Manifestation: Fand allegedly wears a green cloak.

See also: Aife; Fairy Queens; Manannan; Scatach