Birth of the Elves
Written by Jeremy “Kokugatsu” Griffin
Image from https://www.wallpaperup.com/623959/Magic_Elves_Guardians_of_Middle_Earth_Galadriel_Games_Fantasy_Girls_elf_lotr_lord_rings.html
Good Day fellow nerds. When you think of elves, what comes to your mind? Do you imagine franchises such as J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings (LotR) or video games and series such as The Witcher? There are so many variations of elves throughout everything, but the biggest question still remains: Where did they come from? Really, what are elves and where did they originate? Were they created like humans? Or born through magic? What is widely agreed upon is that Elves are heavily connected to magic and the Earth itself. They live and care for the life force of all things, animal, plant and human alike, but in many stories, even they have no true idea where they actually come from. Today we will dive into various histories of the elves from various mythologies: Anglo-Saxon, Norse and even those little ones that help dear old St. Nick.
Norse
From the depths of the 9 realms of Asgard.The elves live in peace within their realm. First, we must understand that there is a difference between Norse Mythology and its parent Germanic Paganism. Norse mythology is a form of Germanic Paganism, but not vice versa. For a more modern explanation, Christianity is a branch off of Judaism, but not the other way. Best explanation I can give.
When it comes to the elves of the Norse mythology, very little is known them. In fact, although the Norse are one of the oldest to mention them, there is not much to go on as far as how they originated. The most commonly referred written text that we can use to ascertain information is the Grímnismál. From there, we can determine that the elves, more specifically, the light elves who were called ljósálfar or hvítálfar, live a peaceful life in Alfheim, a realm of peace and magic. The god Freyr, son of Njörðr, and the god of fertility and abundance is said to rule over this realm.
The great influence of elves and half-elf children had such influence, that many stories were written of them. In further research I discovered this lovely short story about an elf Amok.
Click the link below to read this story titled “The Origins of Amok” from a series named “The Tales of Amok” written by Ed Raby Sr.
We do not own this article, nor rights to it. This article is shared only for entertainment purposes. They are not partners, nor sponsors and hold all rights to their own content.
Further reference to the book The Viking Spirit by Daniel McCoy suggests that the Norse Elves of Alfheim had major influence in the health and life of mortal men. In fact, elves had the power to make mortals ill and even cure them of illness, with a proper sacrifice of course. Many people often blamed elves for illnesses that came out of nowhere, man these elves were powerful. Often times though, elven influence was seen with half elf children, where the elves would mate with the people and produce these half elf offspring. The children often described with immense magical power and even sparked some wondrous tales and stories, like the one I found above. There was even and understanding that, in some cases, upon a human death, one could become an elf. That process is for another time though.
There were also the Dark Elves, or Svartálfr, which loosely translates to Black Elves. Unlike what most understood about Dark Elves from newer versions of Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) or even LotR, the Dark elves were described as skilled craftsmen and short. though intelligent and often times crude to humans, they were described more similarly to dwarfs. in fact, the Svartálfr reside in Svartalfheim, but just like Alfheim, there isn’t much known for them in full on Norse scripts.
Widely known for dark gray skin, white hair and, in some cases, piercing dark or red eyes, they were the opposite of the light elves.
The Dark Elves in fantasy were also called Svartálfr, Drûlka, Drow, Drothë or Drotharum.
Dark Elves have their own culture in various stories and games that dive so deep into who they are and how they live their lives, but none as concrete evidence that says, this is how they were created or born. All in all, the Norse held Elves very high and respected, but as far as their origin, its open for lots of interpretation. All we know is where they reside, but it does bring another question, why do they live in another realm other than our own? There are many fan stories that suggest humankind has had multiple issues with elves and in some, it led to near extension, but that is a story for another time.
Anglo-Saxon
Tiny and often mischievous, these tiny creatures cause all forms of craziness.The Anaglo-Saxons were another branch of Germanic Paganism. They also are the closest that I believe to the explanation of the Christmas Elves. But first a little Old English lesson. So I found that the word “Elf” is actually derived from 2 words “ælf “or “elf” and these were actually used to make the words “ælfadl,” which translates to nightmare, and “ælfsogoða,” which translates to hiccup. These 2 concerns were heavily believed to be caused by mischievous elves and as such, we call them that. Now next time you have a nightmare or a random hiccup, you can blame the elves.
Anglo-Saxons did not imagine the elves as tall and graceful. In fact, their text actually describe the elves as small and more hidden away; even more so than the Norse who called them “the hidden folk.” They were described as small in stature and in translation, I often mistook them for faeries and gnomes. Otherwise, they are mostly similar. When you consider the travels of the people who originally made the folklore of the “9 Realms of Asgard,” it makes sense that things are pretty much the same.
Another amazing article for fans of the Lord of the Rings by J. R.R. Tolkien.
This picture was supposed to be a representation of a psalmist being harassed by elves. Read more on this amazing article by Thijsporck.
We do not own this article, nor rights to it. This article is shared only for entertainment purposes. They are not partners, nor sponsors and hold all rights to their own content.
One crazy thing that that both the Norse and Anglo-Saxon agree on was how the female elves helped as midwifes for human babies. One of the biggest things that Elves are known for is the fact that female elves were always reliant for helping with child-birth and being midwives. Interestingly enough also, Elves would give birth the same way that humans would. Many times these small elves would grow attached to human households, that it would be almost impossible to get rid of them. In fact, these little elves were said to be the cause of many blessings or curses that happen to the households and families. Didn’t help that they are immortal either.
The Christmas/X-mas Elf
From Holiday cheers and sitting on the Shelves,
Here come Santa’s helper elves.
What journey we have come to reach this far. Now we can move closer to the modern day Christmas elf. We started this journey and along the way, we went from elves living in another world and the size of normal men and women to now becoming short and petite. Why? Well, we tried to find the origin of the original elves, but there really isn’t any; however, we do at least have an origin for these little guys here, and it directly correlates to the Germanics and of course, our all-time history changer, Christianity.
Here is what I mean. As talked about in the previous talk with the Anglo-Saxons, the way that texts and stories of elves were described, they were closely compared to what we now would know as gnomes and faeries. But there is also more comparisons to dwarves. Looking back, it was if the elves, or rather the ljósálfar, were so good at hiding away, that the main elves that were seen and taken to were the ones who were excellent craftsmen, the Svartálfr. It was widely believed that the little elves had great crafting abilities and often used their magic and craft to cause all sorts of mayhem, but it felt that it changed from only bad families, to all families.
How do you feel about the Christmas tradition of the Elf on a Shelf?
Here an article written by Geoffrey Redick on his views on the little devil.
We do not own this article, nor rights to it. This article is shared only for entertainment purposes. They are not partners, nor sponsors and hold all rights to their own content.
Well as you can imagine, many Christians did not like the lore of the Elves. With the belief that magic and sacrificing to anyone but God causing eternal damnation, you best believe they had something to say about it, though not what you would expect. The book Christmas Elves, written by Louisa May Alcott in 1855, is a collection of short stories about elves and how they help dear old Santa make toys for little children. That’s right, the elves were deemed helpful and kind. Their description are like those of faeries, but actually much smaller and not as stout. They are constantly called “little” throughout the stories really laying waste to the belief of human sized, light elven creatures from Norse mythology.
They also were mysterious as it was unsure if they were there to steal, as believed that the little elvens do, or to help. Now the late, Mrs Alcott’s series is no longer deemed as the first mentioned source of Christmas elves, as her manuscript was never officially published. In fact, there was another story, or poem rather, called “A visit from Saint Nicholas” which was written in 1823 that actually called Santa a “Jolly old elf,” himself. Either way, the Christmas elves have an origin, or at least something dating back to much older times. Maybe the influence of Christianism on Elves could be a story for another time.
Our Theory?
With no real evidence as where the Elves come from.
We are left in fantastic mystery.
Well that was a journey and a very interesting ride. Sadly though, there is still no concrete evidence as to whether our pointy-eared brethren come from. It’s a glorious mystery. But from the evidence that I have found and read, I have 2 theories:
Elves come from a different dimension.
They are the living embodiments of magic themselves.
And to be honest, I feel that these theories are different and the same. Actually, I want to address each individual theory of mine first then further explain how I believe them both to be separate but coalescent theories.
My first theory comes straight from Norse myth. In fact, there are plenty of other stories that go based on this theory as well. A prime example would be the Netflix show The Witcher. Not to spoil anything on that show itself, but it hasn’t really been explained only theorized based on the events of Season 2. I’ll it there and let you watch the show and figure that out. But back to the Norse explanation, it is widely believed that the Elves come from 2 different realms not of our own. In fact some theories suggest that these different realms, though connected by Yggdrasil, are completely different worlds or plains of existence altogether.
Ever wondered the Norse story of the birth of Midgard or the world we live in?
Click the link below to read a short explanation of how our world came to be.
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Actually looking back into the birth of the 9 realms, there is no “birth” of them, except Midgard, or earth. The other realms already existed and was just merged together from the tree that grew when the old Norse Gods killed the “first being” Aurgelmir, or Ymir. So the realms that the light and and dark elves lived in, already existed, but was just away from reach until the tree connected them. This is the oldest tale of the birth of the 9 realms. Honestly, this alone would explain why we know nothing of them as they are always “hidden” away in their own realms. In another universe or dimension. One may even say, aliens from another planet. I’m watching you Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure part 4.
My second theory derives from the portrayal of elves throughout their lore and history. What I mean is, Elves have always been associated with some form of magic. Never is an elf mentioned where magic is not involved, where as some form of blessing or trickery. The Norse elves were believed to be associated with illness and health, where their magic either caused or heal disease. The Anglo-Saxons even associated them as Faeries and dwarfs, whose magic was used to create the most amazing things: weapons, shelter or even ways to help humanity grow.
In fact, many sources suggest that Elves originate from the beginning of time itself along with other magical mythical creatures such as Dragons, Giants, Centaurs and more. It would make sense, considering that all these other creatures are full association with magic, that elves would be as well. But let’s take it a step further. Elves have a natural ability to harness magic in all forms. There is no text, at least not that I am aware of, of an elf that has not been gifted with using and harnessing magic upon birth.
Love DnD lore and J. R. R. Tolkien’s versions of elven fantasy? Or maybe you are open to another’s opinion on elven magic and history.
Click on the link below to view an article that I found very fascinating on the world of Elves.
We do not own this article, nor rights to it. This article is shared only for entertainment purposes. They are not partners, nor sponsors and hold all rights to their own content.
Even further still, the elves have always been associated with magical properties that affect life and almost seems as if their life force relies on magic as well. Elves are first associated with helping the birth of life. They were first well known as midwives for upcoming mothers. Having an elf be a midwife almost assured a healthy baby. The only problem was the threat of losing your baby to a changeling, but that wouldn’t actually be the elves fault. Also as time progresses on and technology grows, magic begins to fade and shrink. Strangely enough, so do the elves. As magic begins to leave the world, the elves also began to shrink in stature. There are many associations of fantasy creatures leaving and fading as magic leaves, one reputable story: File SCP-1762.
I truly believe that the elves close association with magic and their almost limitless potential with it, is that they are magic given life and form. In fact, we may see elves as they are because we want associate magic as close to us as humans as possible. If we humans were the living embodiment of magic, we would be what we perceive elves to be.
I want to finally conclude this with why I believe that both are true, but also different. There is no real easy way to explain this, but I will try in the form of a question. What if magic, is the link between another dimension? Imagine that elves are from another dimension and that rift is them connecting to their own home and ours. It’s a pretty complicated theory, but it would suggest how magic leaves this world so easily, as there never was magic in this world. It originally came from the world that the elves came from. They are able to harness it so well because the magic is where they came from and the belief in magic allows their influence into our world.
Elves have always been associated with powerful and immense amounts of magic.
In many stories, their magic is on par with creatures as tough as the fiery dragon.
As I said it’s not a fully complete theory, but it more of an answer than we have so far. Throughout stories such as The Lord of the Rings and The Witcher, we can see that as magic leaves, the elves began to die. If their life force is magic, it would easily suggest how easy it is for the elves are able to harness it and even change if they are exposed to an over abundance. Elves are suggested to be able to change using magic. That would almost seem impossible, unless you are modifying your life force itself.
If we also look at how elves are so great at hiding. They can create places that can easily be passed and missed. Our minds simply say they cast a spell that makes us walk around these places and not know, but what if we actually cannot reach them because they are in a completely different world altogether? I hope I do not leave you with too many questions, but hope you enjoyed my journey through the origin of elves. Below you can find the links to all the online articles I read and if interested, please read the books that I have mentioned and the article links that I have shared. They inspired me greatly and I hope you will enjoy them as well.
Until next time, stay nerdy our friends. Great things are coming.
Sources/References:
https://norse-mythology.org/gods-and-creatures/the-vanir-gods-and-goddesses/
http://www.germanicmythology.com/PoeticEdda/GRMCottle.html
https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1695/elves--dwarves-in-norse-mythology/
https://www.tribality.com/2018/02/26/23-types-elves/https://www.tribality.com/2018/02/26/23-types-elves/
https://britishfairies.wordpress.com/tag/anglo-saxon/
https://thijsporck.com/2019/05/13/anglo-saxon-elves/
https://mythologysource.com/svartalfheim-home-of-dark-elves/
https://norse-mythology.org/gods-and-creatures/elves/
http://corwyn.wikidot.com/dark-elves
https://elfcrazy.com/the-origins-of-the-christmas-elf-tradition/
http://www.santaswhiskers.com/the-elves.html
https://www.loa.org/news-and-views/1103-kates-choice-louisa-may-alcott
https://www.heritagedaily.com/2018/08/yggdrasil-and-the-9-norse-worlds/121244#:~:text=In%20ancient%20Norse%20mythology%20and,%2C%20Niflheim%2C%20Muspelheim%20%26%20Hel.
https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1305/nine-realms-of-norse-cosmology/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Aurgelmir
