What is a ‘fae trap’? Everything to know about the mystical world TikTok is obsessed with (2024)

Kaitlin Stanford

Updated ·3 min read

Search the term #faetrap on TikTok and you’ll wind up with thousands of results. In fact, videos tagged with the catchphrase have already drawn more than 25.6 million views. But what does a “fae trap” actually mean? Allow us to get you up to speed.

For starters, “fae” is the plural form of a fairy and refers to a group of magical creatures in European mythology. But these aren’t just any fairies. Instead of being a positive force that brings good fortune, the fae are known for being tricksters who mislead humans and bring nothing but bad luck. In other words, it’s best to avoid them.

As for fae traps, these refer to elaborate setups the fae would create to lure humans into their secret world. On TikTok, it’s now being used to describe any place in nature that seems to have a magical yet deceptive aura about it.

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Many TikTokers have also been breaking down the meaning of the term in their own videos lately.

One TikTok, shared by @northcascadestarot, has helped clear up a lot of the confusion around who the fae really are.

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The TikToker tells her followers to think of the world of fae as an umbrella term.

“There are many different categories and types that fall within that umbrella,” she explains, just as there are types of fae (who are also called fae, fay, fey, fairy, faerie, little folk, etc.). “They can have many different shapes and forms, much like there are lots of different kinds of birds with different sizes and colors and personalities.”

As for fae traps, @northcascadestarot says that in European mythology, the most common kind of fae trap is a fairy ring or a mushroom ring that entices humans to take a closer look.

That said, “any other orb of light or shiny, shimmery thing that may get the attention of passersby may fall into that category,” the TikToker says.

When @magicalbeth was asked to define fae traps by a follower, she went into more depth about their origin.

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For one thing, she made clear that the fae are not like Tinkerbell or the friendly-faced fairy in FernGully because of their devious streaks.

“A lot of times they were tricksters, up to no good, sometimes even malicious intent,” the user reiterated.

Over the years, there were also a lot of legends being written about the fae actually stealing people — one example, she notes, is the story of the Changeling.

In stories like these, a member of the fae would lure humans into a fae trap in order to steal a human baby. Later, it would replace the baby with a fae baby.

“They would set up little things that you would follow, and you would end up in the fae world,” says @magicalbeth. (One example? Leprechauns and their enticing pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.)

TikTokers are now making light of the whole thing by sharing fae traps they’ve come across out in the world, and people can’t stop watching.

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What is a ‘fae trap’? Everything to know about the mystical world TikTok is obsessed with (2024)

FAQs

What is a ‘fae trap’? Everything to know about the mystical world TikTok is obsessed with? ›

Instead of being a positive force that brings good fortune, the fae are known for being tricksters who mislead humans and bring nothing but bad luck. In other words, it's best to avoid them. As for fae traps, these refer to elaborate setups the fae would create to lure humans into their secret world.

What is the fae trap? ›

If you're wondering what a Fae Trap is, Fae Traps Explained simply - Fae can be numerous otherworldly creatures, you're most familiar with fairies. Fae Traps are traps set by the Fae to gain the attention of humans. #

What is the fairy thing on TikTok? ›

“She was a fairy,” a voice says as whimsical stringed music plays in the background. The TikTok fad involves people creating an optical illusion that they're floating or flying like a “fairy.”

What happens if you touch a fae trap? ›

So what actually happens if you interact with a fae trap? User @northcascadestarot explains that according to folklore stories, walking into a fairy ring may lead you to be “forced to dance until you go mad, or until you perish from exhaustion.”

What is the fae world? ›

The Faery Realm

In faery lore, that means it is the parallel dimension to Earth. In some derivations, it's an inaccessible landmass across vast oceans. Many of the older versions believe this world of faery is a mystical island, where immortal and magical beings frolic to hide away from the harshness of mortal life.

What do the fae do to you? ›

Fae will steal adults as well. They are particularly fond of musicians and poets and will take them away to their realm for their entertainment. They also take humans who offend them and transform them into strange creatures or keep them as servants. In some versions of the story of Tam Lin the bard, he went willingly.

Why do fae kidnap children? ›

"A human child might be taken due to many factors: to act as a servant, the love of a human child, or malice. Most often, it was thought that fairies exchanged the children.

What does 🧚 mean on TikTok? ›

On TikTok, a 🧚 represents mean fairy comments. This emoji's warm and magical meaning is turned upside down on the popular social media platform to signal a dramatic plot twist.

Is the fairy trend real? ›

The videos often take place both indoors and out, and sometimes even show the subjects wearing fairy wings to make them appear more “magical.” But as realistic as some of the videos may look, they're ultimately just an optical illusion.

What does TikTok spy on? ›

TikTok gathers data related to the content you create and view, including the audio and video you upload or create, your clipboard content, your language preferences, and your comments and livestreams. Usage information. TikTok tracks which pages you visit and your interactions with the content.

What happens when you tell a Fae your name? ›

Never give them your name (Full or otherwise).

If a Fey asks for a humanoid's name and they say it, they're giving them power (and possibly partial control) over them. The best thing to do in this situation is to give the faerie a made-up name or a nickname.

How to enter the Fae world? ›

Return to the Wisp Mother, and she'll confirm that there is still magic inside, but you need to gather a few materials for her to open the Fae Gate. To open the portal and enter the Fae Realm, you'll need the following: Polished Citrine. Polished Aquamarine.

What can hurt Fae? ›

Weakness
  • Iron - Iron is poisonous of the Fae and may kill them if there is too much in their system. ...
  • Rowan wands - Rowan wands can break a Fae Glamour prematurely.
  • Shiny Objects - Fae are very susceptible to shiny objects and are often seen dressed in sequins and gems.

What is an example of a fae trap? ›

As for fae traps, @northcascadestarot says that in European mythology, the most common kind of fae trap is a fairy ring or a mushroom ring that entices humans to take a closer look.

What creature is a fae? ›

A fairy (also fay, fae, fey, fair folk, or faerie) is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, generally described as anthropomorphic, found in the folklore of multiple European cultures (including Celtic, Slavic, Germanic, and French folklore), a form of spirit, often with metaphysical, supernatural, or ...

Are fae all female? ›

By no means are fairies always female. In written records there appear both male and female fairies. However, when talking about folk tales, there is a kind of bias toward the figure of a female fairy.

What are fae in cruel prince? ›

THE CRUEL PRINCE takes place in Faerie, a land where fae and other mythical creatures dwell away from humans. Although fae are unable to lie, they are beautiful and immortal, and Jude wants to be one.

What not to do around fae? ›

Rules of the Fey
  1. Never say 'Thank you' to them. ...
  2. Never, ever accept a gift from a Fey. ...
  3. Never lie to a Fey. ...
  4. Always keep your word when dealing with a Fey. ...
  5. The Fey hate dirty water. ...
  6. Never brag about any interaction that you may have with them. ...
  7. Don't spy on them or capture their likeness without their permission.

What's the difference between fairies and fae? ›

Urban fantasy often uses quasi-archaic spellings like Fay, Fae and Faerie, especially to conjure images of Fae creatures of a more archaic and scary sort, while Fairy has come to mean the children's creature or the romantic Victorian concept of the tiny winged Pixie.

What does fae blood do to vampires? ›

First, the character risks frenzy. Any vampire who drinks faerie blood must immediately make a Self-Control/Instincts roll (difficulty 4 + the number of Blood Points ingested). Failure indicates that the character is overcome by the heady rush of the powerful blood, and will seek to gorge himself with blood.

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