The Star Fairy is a beloved figure in Quebec's Christmas traditions. But where did she come from?

We're all familiar with the man in the red suit and his little helpers with pointed ears, but there's a lesser-known ambassador to the North Pole living right here in Quebec — one you might not know much about.

The Star Fairy, or Fée des étoiles, is a traditional Christmas character unique to the French-speaking province. Often seen by Santa Claus's side, she plays a key role in greeting children and giving out presents at events during the holiday season.

Wearing a light-coloured gown, a tiara and holding a star-tipped magic wand, the Star Fairy is a beloved figure in Quebec's Christmas traditions. But experts have different theories about how this character came to be — and what her purpose is. 

Charmain Levy, a professor of social sciences at the Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO) who specializes in sociology of religion, says the role of the Star Fairy isn't well defined. 

"She kind of just hangs around and is somebody who is a very sweet, nice figure [who] appeals to children," she said. 

Levy notes that in Christmas folklore, female figures are rare, but those that do appear, such as Saint Lucy, are often tied to themes like light in periods of cold and darkness.

"So I think the Fée des étoiles is in that category of a young figure that represents brightness and light at a very dark time of the year," she said.

Levy says the character might also be inspired by works by French author and fairy tale pioneer Charles Perrault, best known for classics like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood, all published in 1697.  

Origins trace back to 1950s

However, the Star Fairy is a relatively modern character, according to Yvan Fortier, an ethnohistorian at Parks Canada. 

He said one of the earliest appearances of the character can be traced back to Christmas parades organized by the Dupuis Frères department store in Montreal in the 1950s.

By the late 1950s and into the 1960s, the character began gaining prominence at Christmas events and was later featured in songs by Montreal bands, including the eponymous La fée des étoiles by Les Chantels and a mention in 23 décembre by the rock band Beau Dommage. 

"So I think it's fair to say that this phenomenon is literally in Quebec's genes," said Fortier. 

He views the Star Fairy as a bridge between Santa Claus and children, who often feel intimidated by the presence of an older, more imposing figure. Moreover, he sees the pairing of a youthful character alongside an older one as "an allegory of the passage of time," symbolizing the transition from the old year to the new.

'Have goals, have dreams,' says this year's Star Fairy

Today, the Star Fairy's most iconic role is gracing the top of a float in Montreal's annual Santa Claus parade.

The city's downtown business association picks a new Quebec personality to portray the character — often one meant to inspire children. 

Last year, it was Montreal-born NASA engineer Farah Alibay. The year before that, it was well-known television personality and drag queen Barbada De Barbades.

This year, the honour was bestowed upon Quebec Olympic weightlifting gold medallist Maude Charron.

Glenn Castanheira, the executive director of the SDC Montréal Centre-Ville, said the decision was easy. 

"It was really just quite obvious that it had to be her," he said. "Not only an Olympian, but a strong woman in every sense of the word."

Charron said it was a "huge honour" to be chosen as this year's Star Fairy — even if it meant travelling 600 kilometres from her home in Rimouski in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region to do it. 

"It gave me … the opportunity to say to kids and even older generations, like have goals, have dreams, work for them, don't let go," she said.

Charron appreciates the idea of influential people taking on the role of the Star Fairy, recognizing it as a way to spread that person's message. 

And hers was clear: "Yes you can still be a girl but be strong … and still be at the top of your sport," she said. 

"If I can just inspire a few people during this parade, then my job would be done." 

So while the exact origins of the Star Fairy in Quebec's Christmas culture remain ambiguous, the character seems to symbolize the light and hope that define the holiday season — all while keeping Quebec's spirit of doing things its own way.