fairy ring

fairy ring. A circle found in a lawn or pasture land thought to have been caused by dancing fairies. Scientific explanations for this widespread phenomenon are less poetic; the must usual is that it is caused by the spreading mycelia of a fungus (Marasmius oreades). The fairy ring may appear only as a depression in the grass but may also include sprouting mushrooms. If a human steps into the ring he or she is compelled to join the fairies in their wild dancing, which would seem to occur in a few minutes but in fact lasts for seven years or more. The unfortunate mortal dancer can be rescued by having someone outside the ring grab hold of his or her coat-tails. The concept is widely discussed in Celtic languages, usually by translations of the ‘fairy ring’: Ir. fáinne sídhe/sí; ScG fàinne s'th; Manx fainey shee; W cylch y tylwyth teg, twmpath chwarae. See also HUNGRY GRASS.