Ljósálfar

ljósálfar, meaning "light elves" in Icelandic, are a category of elves in Icelandic folklore and Norse mythology. They are typically depicted as benevolent, radiant beings associated with beauty, daylight, and fertility. In many folk tales they inhabit natural places such as hills, clearings, and meadows, and are linked to the elf realm Álfheimr, which in Norse cosmology is described as the homeland of the elf-folk.

In medieval sources, elves are presented as a distinct race within the broader elfin world, and Álfheimr is said to have been given to the god Freyr. The explicit division into light elves (ljósálfar) and dark elves (dökkálfar) appears more clearly in later folklore and modern Icelandic belief than in the oldest texts, where the terminology and categorization are less standardized. Dark elves are often described as living underground or being more reclusive or mischievous, with some overlap with dwarves in later tradition.

The characteristics attributed to ljósálfar emphasize their luminosity, grace, and harmony with nature. They are regarded as blessings for crops and springtime in some tales, while interactions with humans are commonly framed as respectful or cautious, with potential consequences if elven boundaries are violated. Modern Icelandic culture retains a belief in the hidden people, including elfs, as part of landscape lore. This folkloric presence influences contemporary art, literature, and attitudes toward nature and development, even as belief varies among individuals.