Elves biographies
Who are the elves: a brief history of mysterious creatures who are the elves: a brief history of mysterious creatures, graceful, mysterious, complete wisdom and mystery of the creation that conquered the hearts of fantasy readers. Their slender silhouettes, sharp ears and an insightful gaze became symbols of became a symbol of magical worlds. But who are they actually, where did they come from and why is their image so attractive?
Alva, as the Scandinavians called them, were the spirits of nature - the creatures of light living in forests, mountains, rivers. In ancient myths, they did not have a human appearance - rather, these were incorporeal shining creatures resembling natural phenomena. They could help a person, but they could also harm if he violated natural laws. Scandinavian myths divided the elves into light and dark.
The bright ones lived in Alvheim and were associated with the purity and beauty of nature, and the dark lived underground and associated with secret knowledge and danger. These opposites can be seen in modern images of elves: they can be both kind and noble, and cunning and insidious. How the image of the elves in the Middle Ages changed in the Elves transformed into creatures resembling fairies or spirits of nature.
In fairy tales, they became small and mischievous, and sometimes even evil. For example, elves could take a person to his world, after which he lost touch with reality. Already in our time, serious changes to the image of the elves made his works, especially the “Lord of the Rings”, who set the modern canon of elves - noble, majestic, sophisticated. Tolkinovsky elves are an ancient wise race that lives in harmony with nature, possessing a sharp mind, incredible beauty and deep knowledge.
They became a symbol of ideal, the desire for excellence and beauty. This image was fixed in modern culture and became the basis for many fantasy-faces. It was his works, especially the “Lord of the Rings”, who set the modern canon of the elves. The features and images of elves in the modern literature of the Fantasy genre can be different, but they are united by several characteristic features: pointed ears and thin facial features.
This is a kind of stamp, thanks to which we easily recognize the elf among other creatures. Lightness and grace. The elves move smoothly, gracefully. They are masters of the battle, perfectly own onions and sword, have quick reflexes and a deep understanding of nature. Immortality or longevity. Many fantasy production endow the elves of an incredibly long life, making them witnesses of many eras and events.
This gives their gaze wisdom and sometimes sadness. Magic abilities. They can own ancient spells, healing magic or be close to nature, understanding the language of animals and plants. Elves in modern fantasy: Variations and roles today elves are a variety of characters that each author draws in his own way. They can be strict guardians of ancient knowledge, and warriors who protect their own forest from strangers, and fragile creatures that have hung up from the world in their secret shelters.
Sometimes the authors destroy the usual image of the elf, representing it as an ordinary resident of the city. For example, in the city fantasy, the elf may be the owner of a small shop or a university student masked under a person. In the world of fantasy, these wise creatures are a reminder that beauty and magic can be near, but they always require careful treatment. What to read if you like books about elves?