Leanan Sidhe

The Leanan Sídhe, also known as the fairy lover, is a beautiful fairy of the Aos Sí (or fairy folk) who takes a human lover in Celtic and Irish folklore. Leanan is portrayed as an exceptionally beautiful female who lives near tombs and cemeteries, and is always searching for male human lovers, especially widowers who visit the graves of their deceased wives.

The Leanan Sídhe is generally depicted as a beautiful muse, who offers inspiration to an artist in exchange for fame and glory; however, this exchange frequently results in madness for the artist and often premature death.

Lovers of the Leanan Sídhe are said to live brief, though highly inspired, lives. If the object of their affection refuses, she must be their slave; if they consent, they are hers and can only escape by finding another to take their place. The fairy lives on with their life, leaving the object of a leanan sidhe's affection to waste away.

The name comes from the Gaelic word "leannan," a sweetheart, concubine or favorite. Also, Sídhe, "of the fairy mounds."