The mystical tooth fairy has been the subject of countless stories, from literature to movies. She’s a continuous part of childhood mythology, with her origins dating back several centuries to medieval Europe.
Traditions vary from culture to culture, but there is one common thread. Rewards! All kids know that if they hide their tooth, the tooth fairy will find it and give them a reward. Sometimes it a little gift, but most kids wake up looking for a few coins.
It was during the Middle Ages when several superstitions around baby teeth developed. In England, children were told to burn their baby teeth. It may seem a little extreme, but if they didn’t, they would face dire consequences! They were told they would face trial and tribulation in the afterlife and spend an eternity in search of the baby teeth they neglected to burn!
Elsewhere in Europe at the time, children had to bury or burn their fallenout baby teeth or face a terrible fate at the hands of witches. If a witch found a baby tooth, it was said they could use it to take control of the owner’s body!
In Viking and Scandinavian cultures, baby teeth were viewed more positively. Warriors would wear their children’s baby teeth around their necks as they went into battle. They believed the teeth brought them good luck. Of course, any child who lent their baby teeth to the cause was compensated!
Thankfully, many of these myths have been relegated to the history books. In more modern times, the fate of baby teeth is much more… reasonable. Many cultures tell of a clever little mouse who exchanges baby teeth for gifts. In Spanish speaking cultures, he is known as Ratoncito Pérez (or el Ratón de los Dientes).
It wasn’t until the early 20th century that the mouse took on more fairy-like characteristics. In some cultures, the fairy is still a little mouse, but in many western countries, particularly the US, the tooth fairy has become the spritely creature who flutters around going from child to child collecting teeth in exchange for cold, hard cash.
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