sjálfar

Sjálfar are beings found in Nordic folklore and myth, commonly translated as elves. In Icelandic tradition they are part of a broader spectrum of nature spirits connected to land, weather, and fertility. While the term álfar is more common in older sources, sjálfar appears in some modern usages to refer to the same class of beings. The concept of elves spans benevolent and playful to elusive and dangerous, depending on context.

In Norse mythology, elves are described as a distinct race divided into groups. Light elves (ljósálfar) are portrayed as radiant beings living in Álfheimr, a realm associated with the gods and the heavens. Dark elves (svartálfar or dökkálfar) are linked to underground realms such as Svartálfaheimr or Niðavellir; sources vary on their nature, sometimes identifying them with dwarves and sometimes treating them as a separate yet related kind of spirit.

In Icelandic folklore, elves are often linked to the huldufólk or hidden people. These beings are said to inhabit landscapes—mills, hills, rocks, and hillsides—where they are not clearly seen but believed to influence the world around humans. The belief in elf habitats has led to cultural practices such as diverting roadworks or avoiding certain sites to prevent disturbance, reflecting a modest coexistence between everyday life and folklore.

In modern culture, elves have been popularized beyond traditional belief through literature, film, and games. The image of elves as long-lived, wise, and magical beings owes much to contemporary fantasy, notably Tolkien, while Nordic authors and artists continue to incorporate traditional concepts of sjálfar and huldufólk into new works.

See also: huldufólk; álfr; dwarves; Norse mythology.