The Norse dwarves or Duergar (ON Dvergar) are highly significant entities within Norse mythology. They are the makers of most of the artifacts of the gods, both Aesir and Vanir. Their dwelling places is one of the nine worlds upon the world-ash Yggdrasil, Nidavellir.
They are often identified and seem to be interchangeable with the Svartalfar (black elves) and the trolls.
J. R. R. Tolkien got some of the names of the Dwarves in his books from Norse mythology: Dwalin, Náin, Dáin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Nori, Thorin, Thráin, Fili, and Kili. He also used some of the Norse Dwarf names for other non-dwarf characters, for example Gandalf.
The dwarves were created when Odin and his brothers Villi and Ve fabricated the world from Ymir's body. The dwarves were made of the maggots that heaved in Ymir's flesh.
See also
Last updated: 05-07-2005 15:58:19
Last updated: 05-13-2005 07:56:04
