- Dark elves
Dark elves (Old Norse: Dökkálfar, usually called the
Svartálfar "black elves") are known as a class of elves living underground in OldNorse mythology , the counterparts to the "Ljósálfar " ("Light-elves"). They are very similar to dwarves as they mainly live in places were there is little light, though unlike both high elves and dwarves the dark elves are an evil race that like suffering and pain.cite book |title=The Norse Myths |first=Kevin |last=Crossley-Holland |publisher=Pantheon Books |year=1980 |isbn=0394500482] 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 ancientfolktales 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 ofSvartálfheim . 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 theYounger Edda , distinguishes them from the "Ljósálfar " ("Light-elves") ofÁlfheim , in most sources simply known as elves.cottish Folklore
In the
Orkney Islands , the "Trow" or the black elves or drows are similar to the "Svartalfar" or to Scandinaviantroll s 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 are 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" [http://www.maryjones.us/jce/daoisith.html] ), and "Du-Sith" (loosely interpreted as "black elves" [http://www.maryjones.us/jce/dusith.html] ) 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 [http://www.answers.com/topic/du-sith] , there are no known surviving myths or stories associated with these creatures.See also
*
Troll
* Trow
*Svartálfar
*Dunmer
*Drow
*Dark Elves in fiction
*Drow (Dungeons & Dragons)
*Dark Elves (Warhammer)
* Dark Eldar (Warhammer 40,000)References
* (The Fooling Of Gylfe) by Sturluson, Snorri, 13th century Edda, in English. Accessed Apr. 16, 2007.
* Gylfaginning in Old Norse [http://www.cybersamurai.net/Mythology/nordic_gods/LegendsSagas/Edda/ProseEdda/Icelandic/GylfaginningXI-XX.htm] ) Accessed Apr. 16, 2007.
* Bulfinch, Thomas (1834). "Bulfinch's Mythology." New York: Harper & Row, 1970, p. 348. ISBN 0-690-57260-3.
* Marshall Jones Company (1930). "Mythology of All Races" Series, Volume 2 "Eddic", Great Britain: Marshall Jones Company, 1930, pp. 220-221.
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