Elf

The elf or alf was of Teutonic origin. Descriptions of the elves varied from author to author and from one period to another. The elves were introduced into Celtic folklore in later traditions.

According to the Norse myths, there were two groups or tribes of elves.

The light-elves, known as ljásálfar, lived in the world called Alfheim, which the Vanir god Freyr ruled. The light-elves were seen as fair. The other group of elves were the dark-elves, dokkálfar, living in Nidavellir, or black elves, svartálfar, living in the world called Svartalfheim. There seemed to be a difference between dark-elves and black elves. The dark elves were described with blacker than night complexion, and they were short like the dwarves. The dark elves, like the dwarves, were known for their invention and craftsmanship.

To the Norse tradition, the elves were spirits or minor deities of the woodland or household. See Of Dwarves and Elves in the Norse Mythology section. In later Germanic folklore, the elves changed – becoming diminutive in size, like the Celtic counterpart of the fairies.

It was this tradition as household spirits that the elves were later given in Germanic and Celtic folklore traditions. The closest thing that the Celtic people had to the elves were the ellyll from Welsh tradition.

They were short or tiny, and could be seen as benevolent if pleased, so they would care for the house, doing chores in the night. If they were offended they could become malevolent, disrupting the household by breaking dishes, spilling milk, keeping the occupants awake at night with their noises, or chasing away livestock.

These elves were degenerated into the kobold in Germanic folklore, or in the Scottish Gaelic folklore as the brownie.