Dokkalfar & Ljosalfar

Good day.

Except the fact that Dokkalfar elves dwell on earth and Lljosalfar elves dwell in Alheimr;and that the former are considered 'light elves' and the latter 'dark elves',in what other ways can you distinguish these two category of Elves? Thank you.

~Valcun~

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If you are truly interested in reading up on Alfar and other Wights, may I suggest Elves, Wights, and Trolls by Kveldulfr Gundarsson? He answers your question. I'll give some insight as well.

Most references in the Lore concerning Dokkalfar equate them to dead Ancestors. This is particularly true in Kormak's Saga. They are the spirits of the dead that have dwelled in the mound for so long, and have been venerated so much that they've become something more than just an Ancestor. They are also exclusively bound to, and dwell on, Midgard.

That is the distinction between the two. Dokkalfar dwell on Midgard, Ljossalfar dwell on Ljossalfheim. Ljossalfar are higher beings created independently from man, and Dokkalfar are former men. Most of the references in the Sagas and folklore suggest that the Alfar that are mentioned are usually Dokkalfar.

Nine times out of ten, you'll likely be interacting with them on Midgard as a modern Heathen or Asatruar than the Ljossalfar. When you think about it, that makes sense because we dwell on Midgard and this is their domain as much as it is ours.

Hope that helps!