Male Dwarf Names. Among their most famous creations are the spear Gungnir, and the golden ring, Draupnir, of Odin; Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor; the golden hair of Sif; Freyja's necklace, Brsingamen; and even the ship Skblanir of Freyr. Clues given in Norse texts seem to indicate that the dwarves were thought of as similar to the elves, or even as a subgroup of that race. They often shy away from human contact, choosing to stay in their underground dwellings, although they occasionally will test a human, and if they are able to gain their trust, the dwarf will reward the human with a treasure. The Prose Edda, however, gives them an even more inglorious origin. They were most often described as living underground and were known to be great metalsmiths and inventors. [42] Anatoly Liberman suggests that dwarfs may have originally been thought of as lesser supernatural beings, which became literal smallness after Christianization. The popular role-playing games Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer Fantasy, and Warcraft all incorporate dwarfs as creatures. Some dwarves seem even less connected to the usual idea of such a creature. Alkonost, who gets her name from the Greek demigod Alyclone, is a creature with the body of a bird and the head of a woman. Come on you know damn well that middle earth takes heavy inspiration from . While the stories are inconsistent in regards to the role of the dwarves, they are equally as contradictory about their origins. They spontaneously generated, as maggots were thought to, in the dead flesh (earth or stone). Oh, and if they ever came in contact with sunlight, they turned to stone. He is a shapeshifter and can change into a white horse, letting young children ride on his back and then jumping with them back into his pond. Alfrigg, Berling, Dvalin and Grerr: Alfrigg, Berling, Dvalin, and Grerr are the four dwarves, who made the Brisingamen for the Goddess Freya. Fafnir and Regin killed their father for the cursed ring Andvarinaut. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. The idea that dwarves cannot be in the sunlight is not mentioned anywhere else and many named dwarves live aboveground. [2] Although dwarrow has passed from the language, both "dwarfs" and "dwarves" are in current use. Jamie founded Listverse due to an insatiable desire to share fascinating, obscure, and bizarre facts. . Other games like Dragon Age and Warcraft present an image of dwarfs as stout, bearded mountain dwellers, separate from Elves. Instead, it was added by later writers who had been introduced to Judeo-Christian concepts of angels and demons. In Old Norse, they were called the dvergr. This type of ambiguity between various races is not uncommon in Norse mythology. He is a dwarf that suddenly appeared at Balders funeral, and got in the way of the God Thor. Tolkien, continues to link dwarves to their Norse roots through their imagined culture and connection to smithing. The svartlfar mentioned in Skldskaparml 35 are the Sons of Ivaldi, whom Loki engages to craft replacement hair for Sif, wife of the god Thor, after Loki mischievously sheared off her golden tresses. The Scandinavian words for Nightmare are Norwegian Mareritt, Danish Mareridt, Swedish Mardrm, which directly translated means Mare-ride and Mare-dream. Pairs or groups of brothers are seen relatively abundantly in Eddic contexts, as with the sons of valdi, and Fjalarr and Galarr. [60] Typically in these later sagas, fighting dwarfs is considered dishonourable, in contrast to other beings such as dragons. The dwarves are pitch-black in appearance and live underground in Svartalfheim,[2][3] a place which was probably thought of as a labyrinthine complex of mines and forges. 939-967). Dwarf (folklore) Two dwarfs as depicted in a 19th-century edition of the Poetic Edda poem Vlusp (1895) by Lorenz Frlich. . They seem to be interchangeable, and may be identical, with the svartlfar (black elves), and sometimes the trolls (compare also with vetter, a class of beings from later Scandinavian folklore). Later descriptions tell of a monster in the shape of an enormous octopus, which dragged ships down to the bottom of the sea. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Last modified January 23, 2022, Thanks so much for the useful information about the Dwarfs in Norse Mythology! Some stories portray them as old hags and others depict them as young maidens or middle-aged women. Cosette (French origin) meaning "tiny or little". He has been a guest speaker on numerous national radio and television stations and is a five time published author. Needle in the water. Dwarves are short and human-like beings who originate from Norse mythology. Instead, Loki goes to Svartalfheim. Sometimes they wear white, and other times they are adorned in grey or black. In Vlsunga saga which details the events that unfold after Loki extorts treasure out of the dwarf Andvari, to pay the wergild for his killing of tr, a being whose brother Regin is also described in some sources as either resembling or being a dwarf. Why So Many Mythological Monsters Are Female - Smithsonian Magazine [18][19] In Hervarar saga ok Heireks, the sword Tyrfing is forged, and subsequently cursed, by a dwarf named Dvalinn, and another named Dulin in the Hauksbk manuscript. Four dwarves, Austri, Vestri, Nordri, and Sudri (East, West, North, and South) hold aloft the four corners of the sky, evidencing their colossal strength. They were originally maggot-like creatures who grew in Ymirs dead flesh until the gods gave them the gift of reason. Two novels offer new perspectives on the women of Greek mythology - NPR [54], In Eddic sources dwarfs are attributed with creating magical treasures for the gods such as Mjlnir, Sif's hair, Draupnir, Gullinbursti, Skblanir, Gleipnir and Gungnir, while in Srla ttr they craft Brsingamen for Freyja. The Greatest Dwarf Characters | List of Fictional Dwarfs - Ranker A dwarf ( PL dwarfs or dwarves) is a type of supernatural being in Germanic folklore, including mythology. A dwarf is a mythical creature, appearing most frequently in Norse mythology. Dwarf names - Fantasy name generators The Prose Edda. The gender of a dwarf is usually derived from the name itself. Elaborate dwarf weddings were celebrated at court, and in 1710 a dwarf couple spent their wedding night in the tsars bedchamber. The character of Alviss seems to have more in common with the usual depiction of a troll than of a dwarf. Idunn, the goddess of youth, is usually called an elf instead of a dwarf. The Dragon Age: Origins intro story for dwarfs did a good job covering their culture and gender relations in that setting. [28], Based on the etymology of dwarf, it has been proposed that the oldest conception of a dwarf was as exclusively a formless spirit, potentially as in the case of disease-causing dwarfs, however, this view is not seen in the oldest manuscript accounts. Dwarvish children are cherished by their parents, and are defended at all costs from their traditional enemies, such as Orcs. It usually has magical talents, often involving metallurgy. If the dwarves were, in fact, virtually indistinguishable from elves, how did they come to be seen as such opposites in later works? In the Norse belief system, valkyries were supernatural women who determined who lived and died on the battlefield. In Norse mythology, for instance, dwarvish smiths created some of the greatest and most powerful items of power, including the magic chain Gleipnir that bound the wolf, Fenris, as well as Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor. Dwarf (folklore), a being from Germanic mythology and folklore Dwarf, a person or animal with dwarfism; Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional entities. In some stories, dwarves have a bad reputation for stealing treasure. Hreidmar is a master magician, Hreidmar has three sons Regin, Fafnir and Otr, and two daughters Lofnheid and Lyndheid. [3], Modern English has two plurals for the word dwarf: dwarfs and dwarves. In the. [67][65] The presentation of dwarfs living within stones continued into modern folklore surrounding specific landscape features such as the Dwarfie Stane, a chambered tomb located on the island of Hoy, and the Dvergasteinn in Seyisfjrur. [34] Alvss is described by Thor in Alvssml as being as unsuitable to wed his daughter rr as he was "pale about the nostrils" and resembled a urs. Many enchantresses were fairies, and their attendants might likewise have been non-human. A dwarf is a mythical creature, appearing most frequently in Norse mythology.Humanoid in form, but short and stocky, they are connected with the Earth and are often said to be miners, engineers, and craftsmen.The Dwarf is also common in Germanic mythologies, fairy tales, fantasy fiction, and role-playing games, and recently were made popular by the collective works of twentieth century fantasy . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); World History Edu 2023. ). Those with dwarfism might become permanent craftsmen, and an association between crafting and dwarfism might have developed. An Elven blacksmith by the name of Volundr who lived in Alfheim (Home of the Bright Elves) is said to have acquired his skills in smithing from two dwarfs. Tolkien, are a staple in the contemporary world of fantasy, and as such are often imitated. Oxford English Dictionary. It was said that the dwarfs forged Gleipnir the chain that was used to shackle the mighty wolf Fenrir. 5. Daniel McCoy 2012-2019. Isabella dEste designed part of her palace for them and remembered two in her will. In western Europe household dwarfs were still heard of in the 18th century, but the institution declined. and ed.) Dellinger meaning "the gleaming one like Clarus". Some dwarves were villainous and wicked characters who seemed to have similarities to trolls. Your email address will not be published. 10 Creatures in Scandinavian Folklore - Listverse Made famous by J. R. R. Tolkien, the dwarves and the elves originate from Norse Mythology. Although these might be humans afflicted with dwarfism who were often kept as curiosities by courts and nobles of the era, the ladies were often of uncertain origin themselves. Household dwarfs were known in medieval Europe, and during the Renaissance their vogue increased and individual dwarfs became famous. When Loki needed to acquire golden hair for Sif, for example, he visited two groups of characters who are most often interpreted as dwarves. Eitri is a dwarf who helped create three of the precious objects of the Gods. The primary role of the dwarves in Norse mythology is to craft unusual or magical objects for the gods. In the universe of The Elder Scrolls, "dwarves" (or Dwemer) are presented as a race of subterranean elves, whose culture was centred around science and engineering, that differs from Tolkiens conceptualisation, in that they are not particularly short, and are extinct. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. They are similar to the dwarves of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, which they largely started out as a homage to, and dwarfs/dwarves in other fantasy novels. This would make them close relatives of the jotnar, or giants, who were formed from his sweat. In order to prevent the sky from falling down to the Earth, the dwarfs Norri, Suri, Austri, and Vestri were sent to the four corners (Northern, Southern, Eastern, and Western respectively . Dwarfs in Norse Mythology: Origins, Role, Powers, & Abilities Bane, Theresa: Encyclopedia of Giants and Humanoids in Myth, Legend and Folklore; McFarland, 2016 (p. 60). They were fair and beautiful and commonly seen as peaceful creatures. [38] Some names suggest a small size such as Nori and Nabbi, which have been translated as "tiny" and "little nub" respectively, however it has been argued that this was not necessarily the general rule. Dwarves come in many different forms, but they usually have traits in common. Archived post. Lesser-known Dwarves | Norse Mythology - Skjalden.com More generally, the pygmies of Africa, the short Inuits, Sami (Lapps), the Asian Dropa pygmies of Tibet, short rain forest natives, people with dwarfism, and similarly short people may have had a hand in the origin of dwarf legends. Upon the arrival of Christianity around the 1300s, the stories changed. [70], The term 'dweorg' can be used in Old English texts to describe an illness; it is commonly used in medical texts derived from Greek or Latin sources, where it is used to gloss symptoms such as fever. Hreidmar owned a house of glittering gold and flashing gems built by Regin and guarded by Fafnir. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. [35], In Middle High German heroic poetry, most dwarfs have long beards, but some may have a childish appearance. Privacy Policy. Dwarfs | Discworld Wiki | Fandom From memory: A dwarven child belongs to the social caste of the parent of the same gender, and this can effectively raise the social class of a female dwarf if they have a male child with a noble; your sister is pregnant . Barnum publicized Charles Stratton (General Tom Thumb), among the most popular attractions in his American Museum of curiosities, and Stratton became an international star. Irish mythological Creatures: An A-Z guide - Ireland Before You Die These beliefs persisted in Germanic folklore, in which the gods were no longer worshipped both other aspects of the pagan worldview persisted. 30 Female Dwarf Names With Meanings For Your Characters A long-standing enmity between Dwarves and Elves is also a staple of the racial conception. They hold up the dome of the sky at the four points. He teaches humans how to play if they secretly brought him a stolen piece of meat. [68][69], It has been proposed by Lotte Motz that the inhabitation of mountains, stones and mounds by dwarfs may be derived from their earlier association with the dead who were frequently buried in mounds and around megaliths. The lines between the dwarves, elves, and dead humans are very blurry. He was killed by Loki because he thought he was a real otter. [59], Dwarfs maintain their roles as reluctant donors of their possessions in some later Old Norse legends such as Volsunga saga and Hervarar saga ok Heireks, where they are forced to give up Andvaranaut and Tyrfing respectively. This female spirit in Irish folklore heralds the death of a family member by wailing at nightfall. For example, mahal is a male name, suggesting a male dwarf; similarly, Nandini is a female name, suggesting a female dwarf. The Magical, Mythical Elves and Dwarves of Norse Legend [43], Diversity in appearance is not only seen between dwarfs throughout time and region but also with individual dwarfs, who can be capable of changing their shape and size, such as in Reginsml, in which the dwarf Andvari lived as a pike in the water due to curse from a Norn, however, could also take on a human-like shape. They are most familiar from the Norse myths and sagas, where they were called the dvergr. Otr is a shapeshifter and usually took the form of an otter. Otherwise, however, their attributes are rarely agreed upon. J.R.R. All rights reserved. They are short, stocky, bearded metal-workers, generally seen wearing chain mail and brandishing axes. The Swiss dwarfs, or earth-men, sometimes helped in agricultural work, found straying animals, and put out firewood or fruit for poor children to find. A similar plot occurs in the fragmentary poem Goldemar. The Prose and Poetic Eddas, which form the foundation of what we know today concerning Norse mythology, contain many names of dwarfs. Competing etymologies include a basis in the Indo-European root *dheur- (meaning "damage"), the Indo-European root *dhreugh (whence, for example, modern English "dream" and German Trug "deception"), and scholars have made comparisons with Sanskrit dhvaras (a type of "demonic being"). . [3], German dwarfs are more mysterious than the others. These dwarves fill an archetypal role often taken by giants or gods in other cultures. Medieval myths depicted gnomes as creatures resembling little old men, often with hunched over backs. [58], In Eddic and some saga sources, rather than being exchanged, items of value move from dwarfs to others, often through extortion. And in Old Frisian it appears as dwirg. What Were the Dwarves Like in Norse Mythology? Perhaps they originate in real people, those suffering from dwarfism, or simply people from distant lands with different appearance and skills. While the elves were tall and beautiful, the dwarves were almost grotesque. [44] In later German folklore, the Zwergknig ('Dwarf King') is a tiny being but is capable of becoming enormously tall at will. Dwarfs are one of the many races in Terry Pratchett's Discworld series. Do people really want female dwarves on the show to look - Reddit They not only made new hair for Sif, they also invented other magical creations as gifts for the gods. This places name translates as Home of the Dark Elves.. These industrious and crafty dwarves fit well into the modern image of the race, but the definition of a dwarf in Norse mythology sometimes seems more ambiguous. These days, Draugen is commonly associated with anything dark and mystical about the sea. Many modern views of dwarves have been inspired by Tolkien's works. Fafnir decided that he wanted the ring for himself, so he turned into a dragon and scared Regin away. The alternate plural, dwarves, has been recorded in the early eighteenth century, but was not generally accepted until used by philologist J. R. R. Tolkien in his fantasy novel, The Hobbit. These creatures are typical pranksters but can easily be befriended, and around Christmas, they have the same function as Santa in Western traditions. Hreidmar demanded to get enough gold to cover the dead otters pelt and fill its insides. So it is said in the Vlusp: In Norse mythology dwarves are mostly seen as selfish, greedy, and cunning. While modern readers have preconceived notions of what the dwarves were, Norse sources are in less agreement. He is huge and monster-like and covered in seaweed, rowing in half a boat. The Prose Edda names many dwarves, but four are given special importance. In contrast, Snorri describes dkklfar (which are typically identified as dwarfs) as "blacker than pitch". He is also said to be a talented musician, playing the violin so that the villagers can hear him at night. The form "dwarfs" is generally used for human beings affected by dwarfism; the form "dwarves" is used for the mythical people described by Tolkien and other authors. [citation needed], It is unclear whether "Dvalinn's daughters" means that they are literally the daughters of the dwarf, Egils saga einhenda ok smundar berserkjabana, folklore of the Germanic-speaking peoples, The Ring of Words: Tolkien and the Oxford English Dictionary, "Anglo-Saxon Micro-Texts - Practical Runic Literacy in the Late Anglo-Saxon Period: Inscriptions on Lead Sheet", "The Hole: Problems in Medieval Dwarfology", "Platonic Shadows in C. S. Lewis' Narnia "Chronicles", "Icelandic Folklore, Landscape Theory, and Levity: The Seyisfjrur Dwarf-Stone", "The Family Life of the Dwarfs and its Significance for Relationships between Dwarfs and Humans in the Sagas", "Recognizing a dvergr: Physical Status and External Appearance of dvergar in Medieval Nordic Sources (8th-13th century)", "Dwarfs' Family Relations and Female Dwarfs in Some Medieval Nordic Sources", "Giants in Folklore and Mythology: A New Approach", "Eoin Colfer's magical fairies: the depiction of fairies in Artemis Fowl compared to folklore and other literature", "Norse Influences on Tolkien's Elves and Dwarves", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dwarf_(folklore)&oldid=1149276941, This page was last edited on 11 April 2023, at 06:55.