Dwarfs in Nordic Myth

Dwarfs in Nordic Myth
   In Nordic myth the dwarfs play a very important part in that they are the artificers, the craftsmen, and the inventors. Both the Aesir and the Vanir appear to have maintained amicable relations with the dwarfs, and in return for this they made such things as Brisingamen, the necklace of Freyja; Draupnir, the ring of Odin; Gungnir, the sword of Odin; Hringhorn, the ship of Balder, and Skidbladnir, the ship of Freyr; and the wig of Sif. Many of these are included in the list of treasures.
   In practice the dwarfs appear in the same relationship to the Scandinavians as to the Celts and the Slavs and there seems but little doubt that they were a short, round-headed central European tribe possessing the art of working in bronze and iron in addition to precious metals.
   In the following is given a list of the more important dwarfs mentioned in the Eddas: Ai, Alfar, Alfreikr (elf king Alberich), Althjofr, Alviss, An, Andvari, Annar, Austri, Baumbur, Bavor, Bivor (the Tremulous), Dainn, Davalin, Dolgthasir, Dori, Draupnir, Dufr, Duneyr, Durathror, Durinn, Eikinskjaudi, Fili, Fith, Fjalar, Frosti, Fundin, Galar, Gandalfr, Ginnar, Gloinn, Harr, Hepti, Hljodalfr, Hogstari, Ivaldi, Kili, Litur, Mjodvitnir, Moin, Naglfar, Nain, Nali, Nar, Nibelung, Nipingr, Nordri, Nori, Norori, Nyi, Nyr, Nyradr, Oinn, Ori, Radsvithr, Regin, Sjarr, Skandar, Skirvir, Sudri, Thekkr, Thorinn, Thror, Throrinn, Veigur, Vestri, Vindalfr, Virvir, Vithur, Yingi.
   Certain of these names are also names of Odin, thereby showing the close relationship between the Aesir and the dwarfs. Further details will be found under Alfheim, Elves, Fays, Lovar, Yggdrasil, etc.

Who’s Who in non-classical mythology . . 2014.

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  • Dwarfs —    in Celtic, Teutonic, Slav, and Vedic Myth    The role played by dwarfs in the myths of these races is considerably less important than with the Nordic races. Below are given some of the more oustanding names:    Celtic: Gavida, Goibniu,… …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

  • dwarf —    See Dwarfs in Celtic, Teutonic, Slav, and Vedic Myth    See Dwarfs in Nordic Myth …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

  • Lovar —    Among the dwarfs of Nordic myth the Lovar were a small tribe of whom the names of eleven individuals were mentioned: Ai, Alfr, Eikinsjalldi, Fith, Fjalar, Frosti, Ginnar, Skandar, Skirflir, Virfir, and Yingvi. No further details are available… …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

  • Alfheim —    The home of the elves or dwarfs in Nordic myth; the dwelling place of Freyr …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

  • Fenodyree —    A name for a hairy being, or satyr, similar to the dwarfs of Nordic myth and the elves, brownies, and cluricanes of the Celts. In actual fact it appears to be a memory of the pre Celtic and pre Teutonic inhabitants of western Europe …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

  • Litur —    One of the dwarfs of Nordic myth who was cast alive by Thor on to the funeral pyre of Balder …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

  • Elves —    In Nordic myth the elves were the dwellers in Alfheim, the dwelling place of Freyr. There were also black elves who dwelt in Svartheim, but whether this differentiation was one of actual complexion as between two of the tribes of dwarfs or… …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

  • Yggdrasil —    The world tree in Nordic myth. It was also the gallows on which Odin had hung for nine days in order to acquire wisdom. The elaboration in the Eddas of the memories of a sacred grove seems somewhat disproportionate and would in all probability …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

  • Alfar —    In Nordic myth there were several groups of dwarfs, and of these one was named the Alfar. From them comes the word elf (O.E. ælf) of popular story. A member of the Lovar, another group of dwarfs, was named Alfr, which may indicate some… …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

  • Brisingamen —    In Nordic myth the fiery necklace of Freyja, which she broke in her fury on hearing that the giant Thrym had demanded her hand as a reward for the return of the hammer of Thor. Later Freyja lent the necklace to Thor, who disguised himself as… …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

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