The Fairies of Winter: From Nisser to Huldufolk

While most people think of fairies as small, sweet, human-shaped beings with butterfly wings who grant wishes, folklorists say that this tiny, sparkling version is a relatively new idea, and that, in fact, the fairies of older traditions are something much stranger. Among the most compelling are the fairies of winter. Folklorists Sara Cleto and Brittany Warman explore winter fairies from different cultures, including some who love porridge and one who will suck your breath away if she catches you alone on a mountain during a snowstorm.