Post by Ragnar on Aug 6, 2006 2:58:20 GMT 10
The Svartálfar (Literally 'Black Elves') or Dokklfar ('Dark Elves) are a bit of an enigma. The only person who uses the Svartálfar (that we know of) is Snorri Sturluson, though this isn't surprising as most of what we know of Norse Mythology comes from his writings and he seems to have gathered a lot of information. Some people believe that the Black Elves are really the Dwarves and that Snorri invented the term for them....this does not really fit well into my mind. Snorri used Dwarves in his Eddas so he would have no real need to call them Black Elves also if you dig deep enough you may find references to them.
I am surprised that other Mythologist have not theorised that the Southern Scandinavian 'Trolls' are indeed Black Elves. Unlike the Trolls of Northern Scandinavian which are Giants, the Southern Troll is human sized, lives in mounds and occasionally has a tail. This 'Troll' is very much like the Huldrefolk of Norway which are almost indistinguishable from Elves. The fact that Black Elves get confused with Dwarves is not really surprising as Trolls (the Giant kind) also did despite their differences.
The Trolls of Southern Scandinavia can fit with Snorri's description:
"That which is called lfheim 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"
Conclusion: I think that Black Elves are one and the same as Southern Scandinavian Trolls. I would also say that the Huldrefolk are likely to be Black Elves.
Regards,
Ragnar
P.S. I am going to TRY to dig up some more evidence to support this soon.
I am surprised that other Mythologist have not theorised that the Southern Scandinavian 'Trolls' are indeed Black Elves. Unlike the Trolls of Northern Scandinavian which are Giants, the Southern Troll is human sized, lives in mounds and occasionally has a tail. This 'Troll' is very much like the Huldrefolk of Norway which are almost indistinguishable from Elves. The fact that Black Elves get confused with Dwarves is not really surprising as Trolls (the Giant kind) also did despite their differences.
The Trolls of Southern Scandinavia can fit with Snorri's description:
"That which is called lfheim 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"
Conclusion: I think that Black Elves are one and the same as Southern Scandinavian Trolls. I would also say that the Huldrefolk are likely to be Black Elves.
Regards,
Ragnar
P.S. I am going to TRY to dig up some more evidence to support this soon.