Image of elf in Scandinavian mythological tradition

The article is devoted to the analysis of the image of an elf. The study was executed on materials of Scandinavian folklore. Fairy tales and legends of Sweden, Denmark, Iceland are essential sources of the research. It became clear that during different eras both the size of the elves and their functions varied. Moreover, often the term “elf” included in itself all groups of the lowest spirits: salamanders, dwarfs, trolls, fairies etc. A particular interest in connection with the studied question is represented by Icelandic fairy tales where aulves / elves - the underground folk - are not only harmless to people but often need human help. Development of the analyzed image was not linearly: from “high” race of elves in the Elder Edda to the tiny demonological character of the Middle Ages and subsequent return to a sublime image. This last transformation was mostly a result of the influence caused by the modern fantasy literature and mass culture. The influence of the ancient literature on the sublime image development was less significant.