The original form is âlfr, pl. alfar. Uncertain etymology. This word can express an idea of "shining" or "whiteness".
Completely enigmatic creatures, the alves can come from lower mythology (they are often confused with the dwarves) or, on the contrary, go back to divine origins (they are frequently cited in parallel with the ases gods, thus in the Vôluspk) , or even refer to some Eastern or Christian influence (for example the cherubim).
Snorri distinguishes between light alves, black alves and dark alves (ljôsâlfar, svartcilfar and dôkkàlfar, if the last two categories do not designate the same thing). It seems that the alves ruled over the mental faculties. Another tradition would make them divinities of fertility-fecundity. Supernatural creatures are very numerous in Scandinavian and Germanic folklore. The image of elves, more or less feminine, dancing and idyllic creatures, goes back to a medieval tradition and found great favor in the Romantic era.