Elves
Like fairies, elves were said to be pocket-sized shape-shifters. English male elves were described as looking like little old men, though elf maidens were customarily mentioned as young and beautiful. Like men of the time, elves lived in kingdoms found in forests, meadows, or hollowed-out tree trunks. As with fairies, elves eventually developed a reputation for pranks and mischief, and strange daily occurrences were often attributed to them. For example, when the hair on a person or horse became tangled and entwined, such "elf locks" were blamed on elves, and a baby born with a birthmark or abnormality was called "elf marked."
In European countries, elves were seen to generate mischief for humans. Elves could sit on a sleeping person and cause nightmares, create sickness in people and cattle, and steal human children or babies, leaving a sickly elven child in its place. Although elves are mythical creatures, people in Europe once believed that elves were real. When women were worried about elves stealing their babies they didn't ask, but performed protective ceremonies to keep their babies from harm. In Iceland and the British Isles, it is only recently that elves have been seen as imaginary beings. Elves, thus, have played an important role in European culture.
Elves are often depicted as young men and women of great beauty residing in forests and other natural places, underground or in wells and springs. Elves have many forms; some are small, some are tall and female elves often seem human. In English mythology Elves were first thought of as indecisive, beautiful beings with mystical powers, and often made appearances in ballads of English and Scottish origin, as well as folk tales. Belief in elves causing sickness was popular in early Scotland, where elves were viewed as supernaturally powerful people who resided invisibly alongside everyday rural people. Because of this idea elves were often mentioned in the early modern Scottish witchcraft trials as witnesses in the trials thought themselves to have been given therapeutic powers or to know of people or animals sickened by elves.
In European countries, elves were seen to generate mischief for humans. Elves could sit on a sleeping person and cause nightmares, create sickness in people and cattle, and steal human children or babies, leaving a sickly elven child in its place. Although elves are mythical creatures, people in Europe once believed that elves were real. When women were worried about elves stealing their babies they didn't ask, but performed protective ceremonies to keep their babies from harm. In Iceland and the British Isles, it is only recently that elves have been seen as imaginary beings. Elves, thus, have played an important role in European culture.
Elves are often depicted as young men and women of great beauty residing in forests and other natural places, underground or in wells and springs. Elves have many forms; some are small, some are tall and female elves often seem human. In English mythology Elves were first thought of as indecisive, beautiful beings with mystical powers, and often made appearances in ballads of English and Scottish origin, as well as folk tales. Belief in elves causing sickness was popular in early Scotland, where elves were viewed as supernaturally powerful people who resided invisibly alongside everyday rural people. Because of this idea elves were often mentioned in the early modern Scottish witchcraft trials as witnesses in the trials thought themselves to have been given therapeutic powers or to know of people or animals sickened by elves.
