In Norse mythology, the Dokkalfar, or dark elves, are the light-avoiding counterparts to the ljosalfar (light elves). While the Dokkalfar and the Svartálfar (black elves) may be one and the same, there is a confusion between these names and that of the Duergar (dwarves).

Álfar

The word alf (pl. alfar, elves) derives from the same Indo-European root word from which the Latin albus (white) and Hebrew El (god, light) derive. The original meaning of the word deeply influenced the character of the álfar of Norse mythology, who retained their light-derived, divine status. Often compared to the Vanir (fertility gods) in nature, the elves can be found in association with divinities throughout the Eddas. For example, the phrase "Aesir and the elves" appears throughout the Poetic Edda and presumably means "all the gods." However, the elves are considered a distinct from both the Vanir and the Aesir, as revealed by a series of comparitive names in The Sayings of Alvissmal (All-Wise) in which Aesir, Vanir, and Elves are given their own versions for various words in a reflection of their individual racial ethoi.

The alfar are divided, as are faerie beings in many mythologies, between "Light" and "Darkness," which are often related to the dualistic principle "Good" vs. "Evil," though that is a leap of logic. From the parallelism, though, we derive the two forms of Álf: Light (or High) Elves and the Dark (or Black) Elves (compare the Seelie and Unseelie Courts of the Sidhe in Celtic Mythology, the Angels and Demons of Christianity, and the Devas and Asuras of Hinduism). Do note that Dark Elves, for being dark and/or light avoiding, are sometimes characterized as evil and so are sometimes maligned, though it is sometimes said that both Light and Dark Elves will aid the Aesir at Ragnarok.

Activities of the Dark Elves

Like many mythologic elves regardless of morality (though much closer to the malgined variaties in particular), dark elves are often said to be responsible for many of the maladies befalling humanity. In particular, bad dreams are said to be within the domain of the Dokkalfar, as indicated by the German word for nightmare, "Alptraum" (Elf Dream). It is said that the dark elves will sit upon the dreamer's chest and/or whisper the dreams into the sleeper's ears.

Dokkálfar, Svartálfar, and Duergar

Dokkálfar (or, rather, Svartálfar) are said to dwell in Svartalfheim, one of the many worlds of the Norse Cosmology, which is sometimes said to be underground. Due to the fact that the Duergar (Dwarves) are also said to reside in another subterranean world, Nidavellir, and are similarly dark in coloration, confusion has arisen between the Dark Elves and the Dwarves. Sources differ as to which version of the name refers to the Dark Elves and which is an alias of the Dwarves, but it is most likely that both Svartálfar and Dokkálfar are names for the "evil" type of Elves and that neither are truly Dwarven, considering the difference between Elves and Dwarves and that Svartalfheim is distinguished from Nidavellir. It should be noted that confusion between unrelated, mythologic entities often arises with the passing of time, as can be found in the stories of the Trolls (ogre-like beings that are also confused with dwarves).

Further, it should be noted that the dualism of Light/Darkness correllates to the "struggle between Good and Evil," the Light Elves are often made into the "good guys," while the Dark Elves (and even Dwarves) are the "bad guys." Such a simplistic view, however, fails to evaluate the Eddas correctly, for the Elves (both Light and Dark), Dwarves, Aesir, Vanir, and Jotuns are capable of "good" and "evil." The only truly "evil" beings in the Norse Mythos (if evil can be applied to a near elemental force) are the Fire Giants (who are sometimes called demons), who are responsible for the destruction of the old, imperfect world at Ragnarok and the birth of the much better world in the space remaining (an ultimately good function).

Elves Dark Elves