álfr

"elf." An elf in Norse mythology. Snorri Sturluson distinguished two classes of álfar: the light elves, called ljósálfar, and the dark elves, the svartálfar, although the latter seem to be more synonymous with dwarfs. The light elves lives in Álfheimr while the dark elves live underground/Svartálfaheimr.

Elves seem to be closely associated with the Æsir and the two are often mentioned together (ásum eða álfum) in the eddic poems, although do they not appear as actual personages.

The legendary smith Völundr is called "álfar's chief" and "álfar's companion" in Völundarkviða.

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