töfr

Töfr is the Icelandic term for magic, enchantment, and sorcery. It denotes supernatural power used to produce effects that appear to surpass ordinary natural causes. In everyday language it can refer to genuine belief in magic, to the performative tricks of magicians, or to magical elements in literature and film.

The word töfr comes from Old Norse töfr, with cognates across Scandinavian languages. In ancient and medieval Icelandic texts, töfr described spells and enchantments wielded by witches or wizards and was used for magical phenomena described in sagas and poetry. In modern Icelandic, töfr also extends to stage magic and to fantasy elements in fiction and media.

In folklore, töfr is linked to sorcerers and magical beings, and to practices intended to influence weather, fate, or hidden knowledge. Tales often show ambivalence toward magical power, illustrating both its wonder and its potential danger. In contemporary culture, töfr appears in novels, films, games, and other media, where it serves as a narrative element and a source of wonder.

While töfr refers to magic in a broad sense, Icelandic discussions distinguish theatrical or performative magic from more folkloric forms of enchantment. The term remains common in literature and everyday speech, signaling something exceptional or extraordinary.