In a fairy ring, the mushroom spores at the centre are the first to die. The mycelium then spreads outward, slowly forming the ring we see. Unlike most living beings, which centre their existence around the individual, this growth pattern embodies a cycle of death and life.
In Europe, the fairy rings are surrounded by many myths and legends. The most famous one tells that these circles appear where fairies gather to dance at night.
Many paintings also depict the connection between fairies and fairy rings. In artworks inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, fairies and mushrooms often appear together as recurring motifs.
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