Elf Lore, All About Elves
New characters are coming to my Realm Chronicles series and I wanted to learn more about elf lore and all about elves. Elf lore is not as prevalent as fae lore but I was able to find several sites all about elves. Much of elf lore stems from J.R.R. Tolkien’s works including The Book of Lost Tales, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, and The Lord of the Rings. But I wanted to dive deeper into the history of elf lore and all about elves’ characteristics, history, and powers.
And of course I would waste all this research, so I wanted to share it with you.
Elf Lore, All About Elves – Characteristics of Elves
Elf features vary depending on the origin of mythology and/or interpretation of the beings.
In Norse mythology elves are a kind of demigod-like being. They are luminous beings linked to the Aesir and Vanir gods in Old Norse and Old English poetry. They are often terms gods, giants, dwarfs, and land spirits. In addition, fairies, elves, and leprechauns are closely related in Norse folklore, with elves and fairies being considered the same magical creatures by the 1500s.
In Germanic and other European folklore elves are also recounted as being luminous people with fair complexions, sometimes known as “the white people”. They often have light hair and blue or grey eyes. In many accounts females were beautiful humans while male elves are described as looking like old, haggled men.
Tolken’s elves are of human form, although generally taller. Their hair color varies with the Noldor having dark hair, Vanyar, golden, and Teleri, silver or dark hair. Their eyes are usually described as grey or blue. Their bodies grow more slowly than that of humans, with elves reaching maturity at around 100 years, as counted from their conception rather than birth. They marry once and have few children. They are not vulnerable to disease or aging, live long lives, being hundreds of years. However, they can be killed by weapons or extreme emotional distress like sorrow.
In other literature, like Shakespeare’s, elves are similar to his fairies, being small, winged creatures.
In most, if not all, lore, elves live in nature, generally hidden from people, subsiding in tree trunks and underground caves.
Elf Lore, All About Elves – Elf History
Since before the middle ages, elves have been woven into culture and literature. Several stories have arisen to explain the origins of elf beings.
Some say that the elves arose from Cain’s murder of Able. Cain was exiled, then he married and had children. These children were said to be the cursed elves and explains some theories on why elves dislike humans sometimes poisoning them, enslaving them, and taking their children.
Another theory on the origin of elves stems from the story of Lucifer’s challenge to God’s authority. A group of angels that did not side with Lucifer yet did not side with God either, were banished from heaven and condemned to Earth. This theory explains elf longevity, luminous qualities, and immunity from disease and illness. The dislike of humans in this case may stem from jealousy that they may never be reunited with God.
An Icelandic tale supports the idea that the elves are the lost children of Eve. The story relays that Eve saw God one day while walking in the Garden of Eden. She was embarrassed that her children were dirty. She had them hide and when asked where they were lied and said she didn’t know. God was angry with her lie and banished the children from the Garden of Eden. Eve never saw them again. But these children are reported to be the origin of the elves.
Germanic lore, which is thought to have inspired the first tales of elves, suggests that elves are created by a rebirth of those that have passed from life on this earth, that humans are reborn as elves. This belief is reflected in tales such as The Saga of Olaf the Holy where the King’s ancestor builds a burial mound marked Olaf, the Elf of Geirstad.
History of elf lore may also be rooted in attempts to explain misunderstood events. Things like elf-locks, or knotted hair, deformities, illness, and nightmares could be blamed on elves.
Elf Lore, All About Elves – Elf Powers
In many accounts, elves are depicted as having similar forms to humans, but possessing beautiful features and a luminous quality. Elves are resistant to aging, disease, as well as illness, and are thought to possess magical powers.
Elf magic may be embedded in objects that hold enchantments. Powerful elves may have control over nature and elements. And elf minstrels have the gift of conjuring visions in audiences based on their songs.
Elves may retaliate against humans they perceive to have wronged them by punishing them with illness and nightmares. Conversely elves also possess the power to help cure sickness many times through potions produced through alchemy.
Alchemy is an ancient branch of philosophical and pre-scientific tradition. Alchemists sought to purify and perfect certain materials. They would aim to transform base metals like lead into precious metals like gold. Alchemists also attempted to transform humans to their perfect form by curing various ailments. Many tales of elves depict an elf giving a human a seemingly worthless object like coal. After some time, the human realizes the coal has transformed to gold.
Elves also are reported to have the power of seduction over humans.
What other powers, characteristics, or history have you heard associated with elf beings? Would love to know your thoughts. Share them below in the comments.
Love elves? Make sure to check out my Books About Elves blog post to discover 11 must-read book featuring elf characters.
You can find more on elves on the following sites:
https://mythology.net/mythical-creatures/elf/
https://www.livescience.com/39689-history-of-elves.html
https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Elves
Happy reading!
Tricia
Tricia Copeland believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, a beautiful sunset, or a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. Find all her titles from contemporary romance and fantasy, to dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.