Dökkálfar and Ljósálfar
Encyclopedia
In Norse mythology
, Dökkálfar (Old Norse
"Dark Elves", singular Dökkálfr) and Ljósálfar (Old Norse "Light Elves", singular Ljósálfr) are two contrasting types of elves
; the prior dwell within the earth and are most swarthy, while the latter live in Álfheimr, located in heaven, and are "fairer than the sun to look at". The Dökkálfar and the Ljósálfar are solely attested in the Prose Edda
, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson
. Scholars have produced theories about the origin and implications of the dualistic concept.
In the Prose Edda, the Dökkálfar and the Ljósálfar are attested in chapter 18 of the book Gylfaginning
. In the chapter, Gangleri
(the king Gylfi
in disguise) asks the enthroned figure of High
what other "chief centres" there are in the heavens outside of the spring Urðarbrunnr
. Gangleri responds that there are many fine places in heaven, including a place called Álfheimr (Old Norse "Elf Home" or "Elf World"). High says that the Ljósálfar live in Álfheimr, while the Dökkálfar dwell underground and look—and particularly behave—quite unlike the Ljósálfar. High describes the Ljósálfar as "fairer than the sun to look at", while the Dökkálfar are "blacker than pitch".
As the concept is only recorded in Gylfaginning, it is unclear whether the distinction between the two types of elves was a creation of Snorri, and/or whether or not the distinction is a result of Christian
influence by way of importation of the concept of angel
s. An argument against the angel theory is that the idea of "dark" and "light" aspects of the same beings is not inherently unlikely, death and fertility cults often being closely related.
Scholar John Lindow
comments that whether or not the Dökkálfar and the svartálfar
(Old Norse "swart elves" or "black elves")—who scholars have commented appear to simply be dwarfs
—were considered the same at the time of the writing of the Prose Edda is unclear.
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
, Dökkálfar (Old Norse
Old Norse
Old Norse is a North Germanic language that was spoken by inhabitants of Scandinavia and inhabitants of their overseas settlements during the Viking Age, until about 1300....
"Dark Elves", singular Dökkálfr) and Ljósálfar (Old Norse "Light Elves", singular Ljósálfr) are two contrasting types of elves
Elf
An elf is a being of Germanic mythology. The elves were originally thought of as a race of divine beings endowed with magical powers, which they use both for the benefit and the injury of mankind...
; the prior dwell within the earth and are most swarthy, while the latter live in Álfheimr, located in heaven, and are "fairer than the sun to look at". The Dökkálfar and the Ljósálfar are solely attested in the Prose Edda
Prose Edda
The Prose Edda, also known as the Younger Edda, Snorri's Edda or simply Edda, is an Icelandic collection of four sections interspersed with excerpts from earlier skaldic and Eddic poetry containing tales from Nordic mythology...
, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson
Snorri Sturluson was an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician. He was twice elected lawspeaker at the Icelandic parliament, the Althing...
. Scholars have produced theories about the origin and implications of the dualistic concept.
In the Prose Edda, the Dökkálfar and the Ljósálfar are attested in chapter 18 of the book Gylfaginning
Gylfaginning
Gylfaginning, or the Tricking of Gylfi , is the first part of Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda after Prologue. The Gylfaginning deals with the creation and destruction of the world of the Norse gods, and many other aspects of Norse mythology...
. In the chapter, Gangleri
Gangleri
Gangleri may refer to:* one of Odin's many nicknames meaning "the wanderer" or "Wayweary"* the name of the ancient Swedish king Gylfi, given while in disguise, as described in the book Gylfaginning collected in the Prose Edda...
(the king Gylfi
Gylfi
In Norse mythology, Gylfi, Gylfe, Gylvi, or Gylve was the earliest king in Scandinavia recorded. The traditions on Gylfi deal with how he was tricked by the gods and his relations with the goddess Gefjon.-The creation of Zealand:...
in disguise) asks the enthroned figure of High
High, Just-As-High, and Third
High, Just-As-High, and Third are three men that respond to questions posed by Gangleri in the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning...
what other "chief centres" there are in the heavens outside of the spring Urðarbrunnr
Urðarbrunnr
Urðarbrunnr is a well in Norse mythology. Urðarbrunnr is attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson...
. Gangleri responds that there are many fine places in heaven, including a place called Álfheimr (Old Norse "Elf Home" or "Elf World"). High says that the Ljósálfar live in Álfheimr, while the Dökkálfar dwell underground and look—and particularly behave—quite unlike the Ljósálfar. High describes the Ljósálfar as "fairer than the sun to look at", while the Dökkálfar are "blacker than pitch".
As the concept is only recorded in Gylfaginning, it is unclear whether the distinction between the two types of elves was a creation of Snorri, and/or whether or not the distinction is a result of Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
influence by way of importation of the concept of angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
s. An argument against the angel theory is that the idea of "dark" and "light" aspects of the same beings is not inherently unlikely, death and fertility cults often being closely related.
Scholar John Lindow
John Lindow
John Lindow is a professor specializing in Scandinavian medieval studies and folklore at the University of California, Berkeley and author. Lindow's works include Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Rituals, and Beliefs, a handbook for Norse mythology...
comments that whether or not the Dökkálfar and the svartálfar
Svartálfar and Svartálfaheimr
In Norse mythology, svartálfar are beings who dwell in Svartálfaheimr . Both the svartálfar and Svartálfaheimr are solely attested in the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson...
(Old Norse "swart elves" or "black elves")—who scholars have commented appear to simply be dwarfs
Dwarf (Germanic mythology)
In Germanic mythology, a dwarf is a being that dwells in mountains and in the earth, and is associated with wisdom, smithing, mining, and crafting...
—were considered the same at the time of the writing of the Prose Edda is unclear.