Everything about Dark Elves totally explained
Dark elves (Old Norse:
Dökkálfar, usually called the
Svartálfar "black elves") are known as a class of elves living underground in Old
Norse mythology, the counterparts to the
Ljósálfar ("
Light-elves"). They are very similar to
dwarves. The dark elves originated in the
Eddic and
Germanic myths. They are more recently described as a race of elves and sometimes counterparts to the
high elves in fiction and modern popular culture.
Dark elves are also now a common character in modern
fantasy fiction, although usually very highly embellished with outside influences and rarely displaying many elements of the ancient
folktales that inspired their inclusion, throughout fantasy fiction of many types. Their appearance varies considerably from representation to representation, as does their given background.
Origins In Folklore
Norse/Germanic mythology
In
Norse mythology,
Svartálfar ("Swart-elves" or "
black elves"), sometimes considered synonymous with
duergar ("
dwarves"), are subterranean creatures who dwell in the world of
Svartálfheim. They may be either benevolent or malevolent. The original Svartalfar worked the forges on the lowest level of the world tree. Their roles and countenance vary throughout Germanic folklore but are sometimes mentioned with Black or Dark skin as a result of working at the forge.
The
Dökkálfar ("Dark-elves") are male ancestral spirits who may protect the people, although some can be menacing, especially when one is rude to them. They are generally light-avoiding, though not necessarily subterranean.
In the prose Edda
Gylfaginning,
Snorri Sturluson, author of among other things the
Younger Edda, distinguishes them from the
Ljósálfar ("
Light-elves") of
Álfheim, in most sources simply known as
elves.
Scottish Folklore
In the
Orkney Islands, the
Trow or the
black elves or drows are similar to the
Svartalfar or to Scandinavian
trolls or
dwarves, and inhabit mines and caves. They may be either helpful or harmful but stories regarding harm are more common.
The
Drow or the
dark elves are the
Shetland Isle equivalent of the Trow, but unlike the trow, they're thought of as exclusively malicious. They are tiny elves known for their mining and metal-working, not unlike dwarves.
In the
Scottish Gaelic language, the terms
Daoi-Sith (loosely interpreted as "dark elves"
(External Link
)), and
Du-Sith (loosely interpreted as "black elves"
(External Link)) exist. Both terms are obscure, and the latter seems to have been used as a proper name. Apart from an ambiguous folktale of uncertain origin involving one Sir Lachlan Mor M'Clean
(External Link), there are no known surviving myths or stories associated with these creatures.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Dark Elves'.
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