Sleih beggey
from Manx, meaning Little people
Manx fairies and little people of the Isle of Man
Sleih beggey is the Manx term for a group of mythical beings known as fairies or little people. They are described as domestic creatures who live in burghs and interact with humans through hunting, music, and abduction.
- Sleih beggey means Little people in Manx.
- They are stocky domestic fairies living in burghs.
- The Ferrishyn ride horses and hunt with dogs.
- They dislike salt, ashes, and artificial light.
- They are known to replace babies with changelings.
What it is
The sleih beggey are an umbrella term for Manx fairies, also called Beggys or Sleigh veggy. These beings range from benevolent to malevolent spirits. They are typically depicted as stocky domestic fairies residing in burghs. The Ferrishyn, or faeries, are a specific tribe within this group, standing between one and three feet tall. They ride horses and hunt with dogs. Unlike some Welsh counterparts, Manx fairies are noted for their willingness to use weapons against humans.
Tools and materials
The sleih beggey are associated with green clothing. They are said to dislike ashes, artificial light, salt, and baptisms. Their primary tools include horses and dogs used for hunting. They are also linked to the practice of stealing human babies and replacing them with changelings.
Sleih beggey, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Manx folklore
What it is for
These beings are believed to abduct humans and steal infants. They engage in fights with humans over children. Their activities include hunting and playing music. The belief in their malevolence is reflected in their dislike of religious rites like baptisms and household items like salt.
Peoples and places
The sleih beggey are central to Manx folklore. John Rhys observed similarities between Manx and Welsh fairies but highlighted the unique aggression of the Manx variety. The Ferrish are a distinct tribe within this tradition. The term covers a wide variety of individual mythical creatures found in the Isle of Man's cultural heritage.
At a glance: who, where and when
Peoples
Belief worlds
Today
The sleih beggey appear in modern media, such as the manga and anime The Ancient Magus' Bride. In this context, they are portrayed as a special type of mage. This representation adapts the traditional folklore into a fantasy setting.
Questions people ask about Sleih beggey
What does the term sleih beggey mean?
It is the Manx phrase for Little people, referring to a group of mythical fairies or little people in Manx folklore.
Where do these beings come from?
They originate from the Isle of Man, where they are known as the sleih beggey or Beggys in local tradition.
What are the Ferrishyn?
They are a specific tribe of fairies, standing one to three feet tall, who ride horses and keep hunting dogs.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Sleih beggey", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-07.
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