| Alfar | |
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| Scandinavian
term for "elf," referring to a group of semi-divine
beings thought to be born of the maggots that ate of Ymir's flesh after he was slain. There
were two types of eleves: the Light
Elves (Ljosalfar),
who are are fairer to look upon than the sun and dwelt in
the skies in Alfheim; and the Dark
Elves (Dopkalfar),
who, living in dark forests, underneath waves, or deep
beneath the ground, are often associated with Dwarves. These two types of elves
correspond respectively to the Seelie and Unseelie Courts of Scottish folklore. In later accounts, the alfars are degraded into spirits that cause nightmares and diseases. These versions are associated with the Alps of German folklore. |