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Key Details
Type
RealmMythology
Norse Pantheon
Realm
Mythological / Non-physical
About This Location
Frey's tooth-gift
Alfheim is the light-elves' realm. Grimnismal says the gods gave it to Frey as a tooth-gift in the morning of time. Snorri distinguishes light elves in Alfheim from dark elves below. That is nearly all the surviving description: brightness, Frey, elves. No ritual calendar for Alfheim survives. Do not invent elf-festivals. The place exists to lodge a people adjacent to the Vanir and to contrast with the underground smiths.
Primary Sources
“Alfheim the gods gave to Frey in days of yore as a tooth-gift.”
More from Norse Pantheon
Asgard
RealmOne of the Nine Worlds and home to the Aesir tribe of gods, connected to Midgard by the rainbow bridge Bifrost.
Midgard
RealmThe realm of humanity (Earth), encircled by the world serpent Jormungandr and connected to Asgard by the Bifrost bridge.
Niflheim
RealmThe primordial realm of ice, mist, and cold. Its frozen rivers combined with Muspelheim's fire to create the first life.
Muspelheim
RealmThe primordial realm of fire, ruled by the fire giant Surtr, whose flames will consume the world at Ragnarok.
Jotunheim
RealmThe land of the frost giants and other jotnar, a harsh wilderness of mountains and forests bordering Asgard.
Vanaheim
RealmHome of the Vanir gods associated with fertility, wisdom, and nature—including Freya, Freyr, and Njord.