Fairies Collection at Mendenhall Public Library courtesy of Lucy Delancy

"The Legend of the Fairy Stone"

Many hundreds of years ago, fairies were dancing around a stream of water, when an elfin messenger arrived from a city far away.  He brought news of the death of Christ.  When the creatures of the forest learned of the crucifixion, they wept.  As their tears fell upon the earth, they crystallized to form beautiful crosses.

For many years people held these little crosses in superstitious awe, firm in the belief that they protected the wearer against witchcraft, sickness, accidents and disaster.  The stones are mostly shaped like St. Andres Cross, an "X", but "T" shaped Roman crosses and square Maltese crosses are the most sought after.

Information card provided by patron.

Card in display case.