In Old Norse, the Elves were called álfar, In today’s Norwegian, they’re called Alver, not too far off. Most Germanic languages have similar words for them. The word alfr comes from the Proto-Germanic *albiz (or *alboz), a variation which gave the Old Norse álfr, which in turn was the source for the Anglo-Saxon oaf and ælf.

In Norse mythology, Dökkálfar ("Dark Elves") [a] and Ljósálfar ("Light Elves") [b] are two contrasting types of elves; the dark elves dwell within the earth and have a dark complexion, while the light elves live in Álfheimr, and are "fairer than the sun to look at".

Norse Germanic mythology knows of light-elves (Liosálfar) who dwell in the third space in heaven, dark-elves (Döckálfar) and black-elves (Svartalfar), the black-elves being identified with dwarfs though in general elves and dwarfs are distinguished in surviving Norse literature.

An elf (Old Norse álfr, Old English ælf, Old High German alb, Proto-Germanic *albaz) is a certain kind of demigod-like being in the pre-Christian mythology and religion of the Norse and other Germanic peoples.

In contrast to the modern perception of elves, the Norse elves were often described as luminous beings, more beautiful than the sun. They were divided into two categories, the Ljósálfar (Light Elves) and Dökkálfar (Dark Elves or Black Elves). The Light Elves lived in Álfheim, one of the Nine Worlds, under the rule of the Vanir god Freyr.

2022年12月28日 · Elves inhabit two possible realms in Norse myth: Alfheim (or Álfheimr) and Svartalfheim. “Álfheim” means “Land of the Elves,” so it is undoubtedly an Elf realm. However, “Svartalfheim,” or “Land of the Black Elves,” is often described as “The Land of the Dwarves.”

Many places are there, and glorious. That which is called Álfheimr is one, where dwell the peoples called Light-Elves; but the Dark-Elves dwell down in the earth, and they are unlike in appearance, but by far more unlike in nature. The Light-Elves are fairer to look upon than the sun, but the Dark-Elves are blacker than pitch.

2006年10月3日 · Snorri Sturluson distinguished two classes of álfar: the light elves, called ljósálfar, and the dark elves, the svartálfar, although the latter seem to be more synonymous with dwarfs. The light elves lives in Álfheimr while the dark elves live underground/Svartálfaheimr.

2024年9月13日 · The Álfar belong to two main types: the Ljósálfar, or Light Elves, and the Dökkálfar, or Dark Elves. The Light Elves, often radiant and fair, dwell in Álfheimr, a realm of light and beauty. The Dökkálfar live in lower, darker realms, closer to the earth. Their home remains hidden from human view and holds great mystery.

2013年6月11日 · The elves are luminous beings, “more beautiful than the sun,” whose exalted status is demonstrated by their constantly being linked with the Aesir and Vanir gods in Old Norse and Old English poetry.