Part of the A-to-Z blog challenge. My theme is legends and legendary creatures. Every day (except Sundays) this month, a legend beginning with that day’s word will be featured. I hope you enjoy following along!
Dokkalfar
or the “Dark Elves”
You see them everywhere in video games and fantasy. But where did the first concept of a dark elf come from?
The concept most likely stems from the North Germanic people and their Old Norse written work: the Prose Edda.
In Norse mythology there are two kinds of elves: light and dark, the Ljosalfar and the Dokkalfar. In Prose Edda, the Ljosalfar are said to be “fairer than the sun to look at” and live in Alfheimr (elf world), while the Dokkalfar are “blacker than pitch” and live underground.
How this concept came to be, and how much the people believed in it, is left unknown, as there are too few sources and texts remaining. But the idea caught on and spread throughout many cultures and took on countless variations. It lives on today through our stories, and I doubt that will change any time soon. 😉 Check out this article by Fantasy Faction for their discussion about elves in mythology: ELVES IN MYTHOLOGY AND FANTASY
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(Information from: Wikipedia. Art credit: Cashile http://cashile.deviantart.com/art/Tranquilien-318169538, and google/wikia no names found. Art belongs to their respective owners, not me.)
Interesting. Out of all the fantasy creatures, I think elves fascinate me the most. 🙂
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Same here. For me it’s a tie between elves and dragons. I feel they are the essence of fantasy, in many ways. 🙂
Thanks for reading.
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Cool! I got some inspiration from dark elves for one of my characters. He’s not an elf but he has pitch black skin.
storitorigrace.blogspot.com
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I love it when inspiration strikes!
Cool, what race is your character?
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He’s a made up race called Isamaour. They have similarities to elves as in they have longer than normal life span, but they have conversion abilities which means they can turn a base element into other things like a glass bowl into a glass flower or something of the kind.
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That sounds really cool! Wish I had conversion abilities, that’d be very handy. I want to read your book!
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Aw thank you! I’m hoping this publisher picks it up. It’s my dream house. ^ ^
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Which publishing house is your dream? (you’ve probably mentioned before, but I’m forgetful).
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Enclave. ^ ^
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Awesome! I’ll be cheering you on, Tori!
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[…] Dokkalfar, the original Dark Elves […]
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