Dwarf (folklore)

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This page is about a mythological race. For other meanings see Dwarf (disambiguation).
File:Dwarfs.jpg
Warhammer Fantasy Battle Dwarf minatures

Mythology and Fantasy

In Norse mythology, fairy tales, and sword and sorcery fiction and role-playing games, a dwarf is a member of a humanoid race, much like humans, but generally living underground or in mountainous areas. Here they have heaped up countless treasures of gold, silver, and precious stones, and here they pass their time in fabricating costly armor. They are famed miners and smiths though, like humans, specialize in any number of trades. Generally shorter than humans, they are on average stockier and hairier, usually sporting a full beard.

Dwarfs are also called little Hill-men (Swiss), Earth-men (Härdmandle, pl. Härdmändlene. - Swiss) and Kröpel (German). Dwarfs were described as the height of a 3-year old human child (about 3 feet tall), ugly and big-headed. Nidavellir is the land of the dwarves in Norse mythology. Some dwarfs of mythology are: Rumpelstiltskin, the dwarfs from Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs, Snorri, Dvalin, Lit, Fjalar and Galar, Alvis, Eitri, Brokk, Hreidmar, Fafnir, Otter, Regin, and Alberich (or Andvari). The Egyptian gods Bes and Ptah were dwarfs. The ancient Jews said that the Egyptian Pharoah of the Bible (in Daniel) and the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar were said to be dwarfs.

"For then also in the country The good Dwarflings still kept house; Small in form, but highly gifted, And so kind and generous!" - The Fairy Mythology [1870]

Dwarf Places

The Dwarves' Cavern : (In Hasel, Germany) was once home to many dwarfs. This legend gives the cavern its name.

Harz mountains : (Germany) On the north and the south sides of the Harz mountains, and in areas of the Hohenstein region, there once lived many thousands of dwarves, according to local tradition. In the clefts of the cliffs still exists the dwarf caves.

Tyre : In ancient Jewish scriptures, dwarfs were numerous in the towers of the fortresses of Tyre.


Fairy tales with dwarfs in them

Aid & Punishment, Chamois-Hunter, Curiousity punished, Dwarf in search of Lodging, Dwarf-Husband, Dwarf's Banquet, Dwarfs borrowing Bread, Dwarf's Feast, Dwarfs on the Tree, Dwarfs stealing Corn, Dwarf-Sword Tirfing, Friendly Dwarfs, Gertrude and Rosy, The Hill-Man at the Dance, History of Dwarf Long Nose, Journey of Dwarfs over the Mountain, Laird O' Co', Loki & the Dwarf, Lost Bell, Nihancan & Dwarf's Arrow, Nutcracker Dwarf, Rejected Gift, Rose Red and Bear Prince, Rumpelstiltskin, Sir Thynnè, Smith Riechert, Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs, Thorston & the Dwarf, Wonderful Little Pouch, The Yellow Dwarf


Background

Stories of dwarves may have a historical background: during the Bronze Age, tin miners from southern and southeastern Europe slowly migrated northwest, since the relatively rare tin, which is needed to make bronze, was more common in the north. Being southerners, they were generally of much shorter stature than northern Europeans and had darker skin, hair and beards. Their knowledge of metallurgy must have seemed quite magical to the northerners, whose lifestyle still followed neolithical forms; their superiour weapons and armour might well have been perceived as enchanted. This would explain why stories of dwarves are mostly restricted to Northern Europe, and also why dwarves are portrayed as workers, while few other mythological creatures seem to be associated with any kind of organized industry.

Tolkien's Dwarves

Traditionally, the plural of dwarf was "dwarfs", especially when referring to actual humans with dwarfism, but ever since J. R. R. Tolkien used dwarves in his fantasy-epic The Lord of the Rings, the plural forms "dwarfs" and "dwarves" have been used interchangeably. (When discussing Tolkien's universe, though, only the latter should be used.) Two other plural forms, dwarrows and dwerrows were also suggested by Tolkien, but he never used them in his writings, apart from the name 'Dwarrowdelf', the English name for Khazad-dûm or Moria, a calque of the Westron name Phurunargian.

Dwarves are long-lived, living at least four times the age of man, but are not prolific breeders, having children rarely and spaced far apart. Dwarvish children are cherished by their parents, and are defended at all costs from their traditional enemies, such as giants, goblins, and orcs. A longstanding enmity between dwarves and elves is also a staple of the racial conception.

Various Characteristics

Dwarves are famed smiths, creating some of the greatest and most powerful items of power in the distant past, such as in Norse mythology the chain which bound the Fenris wolf. In some stories the dwarves were cursed as a result of these works, and they now have few or no mages within their ranks. Dwarves are implacable foes, with terrific endurance, strength, and determination. They tend to use heavy armour, large axes, and rarely give up. In some tales, for example those of J. R. R. Tolkien, dwarves are also especially resistant to fire. Dwarves in the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game are directly derived from Tolkien's dwarves, although many variants exist, such as the hairless, desert-dwelling dwarves of the Dark Sun campaign setting.

The Dwarfs are also a race in Warhammer Fantasy.

See also