Pre-Christian Religions of the North: Sources

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Mentions of the Svartálfar in Skáldskaparmál.

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Skm ch. 43c

43c. Svartálfar

Hví er gull kallat haddr Sifj...

Why is gold called Sif's hair...

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Skm ch. 46b

46b. Svartálfaheimr

Þá sendi Óðinn Loka í Svartál...

Then Odin sent Loki into the ...

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Skáldskaparmál, which is part of Snorra Edda, was composed in Iceland in the 13th century, and holds the stories of many of the Pre-Christian myths of northern Europe. It is believed to have been composed by the Icelander Snorri Sturlusson. Snorra Edda consists of three separate parts, Gylfaginning, Skaldskápamál and Háttatal, all functioning together as a greater work and guide for the aspiring medieval poet and storyteller.

commentary

:	ON: Svartálfar, EN: “black-elves”/”dark-elves”, are a group of supernatural beings belonging to the wider category of ON: Álfar, EN: “elves.” The name is connected to the world of the black-elves, ON: Svartálfarheimar, which are found in Snorris work of Gylfagginning and Skáldskaparmál. There exists a direct connection between the dwarves and Svartálfaheimar, as presented by Snorri. Svartálfaheimar is described as an underground world which corresponds with the ideas of dwarves living underground and in mountains. Paralell to the Svartálfar, the ON: Ljósálfar, EN: “light-elves,” which inhabits ON: Álfheimr, EN: “world of the elves,” as reported in Snorri’s Gylfaginning. Furthermore, Álfheimr is said to belong to Freyr, as stated in Grímnismál 5, which can be seen as one of several references connecting the Ljósálfar and the Vanir together. There is reason to believe that Álfar were revered and part of cult, as seen with the ON: Álfarblót, EN: “sacrifice to the elves,” reported in Austrfaravísur, Kormaks saga 22 as well as the Flateyjarbók version of Óláfs saga helga where we find the story of the sacrifice by the burial mound of Ólafr Geirstaðaálfr. Ellis Davidson, H. R, (1990), Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. London: Penguin Books. pp. 156 Simek, R. (2007), Transl: Angela Hall. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer. pp. 7-8, 188, 305

ON: Svartálfar, EN: “black-elves”/”dark-elves”, are a group of supernatural beings belonging to the wider category of ON: Álfar, EN: “elves.” The name is connected to the world of the black-elves, ON: Svartálfarheimar, which are found in Snorris work of Gylfagginning and Skáldskaparmál. There exists a direct connection between the dwarves and Svartálfaheimar, as presented by Snorri. Svartálfaheimar is described as an underground world which corresponds with the ideas of dwarves living underground and in mountains.

Paralell to the Svartálfar, the ON: Ljósálfar, EN: “light-elves,” which inhabits ON: Álfheimr, EN: “world of the elves,” as reported in Snorri’s Gylfaginning. Furthermore, Álfheimr is said to belong to Freyr, as stated in Grímnismál 5, which can be seen as one of several references connecting the Ljósálfar and the Vanir together.

There is reason to believe that Álfar were revered and part of cult, as seen with the ON: Álfarblót, EN: “sacrifice to the elves,” reported in Austrfaravísur, Kormaks saga 22 as well as the Flateyjarbók version of Óláfs saga helga where we find the story of the sacrifice by the burial mound of Ólafr Geirstaðaálfr.

Ellis Davidson, H. R, (1990), Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. London: Penguin Books. pp. 156

Simek, R. (2007), Transl: Angela Hall. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer. pp. 7-8, 188, 305

(Contributed by Liv Marit Aurdal.)

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Skm ch. 43c

Skm ch. 46b

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