Dwarves Across the Nordic World
Dwarves are deeply rooted figures in the myth and folklore of the Nordic regions. From early Norse mythology to later local traditions, they appear in stories across Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Faroe Islands. Though the names and traits may vary – dvergar, dvärgar, dverge – they consistently appear as beings tied to the underground, the ancient, and the powerful.
In some stories, dwarves are divine smiths; in others, they are nature spirits or tricksters who live near humans. The long northern tradition of rugged landscapes, isolated farms, and deep respect for the unseen likely helped preserve these tales over the centuries.
Iceland – Ancient Smiths and Hidden Folk
In Icelandic sources, dwarves are most famous from the Old Norse texts like the Poetic Edda, where they are creators of powerful magical objects. But in later Icelandic folklore, they often blur with the huldufólk – the hidden people – who live inside rocks and hills. These beings are small, humanlike, and may interact with people, punishing disrespect or rewarding kindness. Though sometimes mysterious and aloof, they are treated wth great care in Icelandic belief.
Sweden – Underjordiska and Stone Dwellers
In Swedish folk belief, dwarves blend into a broader category of undergrund beings known as the underjordiska (those who live beneath the earth). They’re often described as small, quiet people residing under boulders or near ancient burial mounds. While they aren’t always referred to as dvärgar in modern language, they share many dwarf-like features: elusive, deeply connected to nature, and highly territorial. Respectful behavior – such as leaving offerings or avoiding disturbing their dwellings – was believed to ensure peaceful coexistence.
Denmark – Dverge and Ballads of the Hills
In Danish ballads and legends, dverge appear as mysterious hill-folk (højfolk) who live in mounds or beneath the earth. These beings may offer enchanted items, or knowledge to humans – but often with strings attached. Tales warn of broken promises leading to misfortune. The Danish dwarf figure is rich in folklore motifs of bargains and curses, emphasizing their otherwordly nature and their demand for respect.
Norway – Mountain Dwellers and Mine Spirits
In Norse mythology, dwarves are ancient, powerful beings born from the body of the primordial giant Ymir. According to the Poetic Edda, they proved themselves as ingenious smiths, forging legendary treasures like Thor’s hammer Mjölnir and Odin’s spear Gungnir.
Norwegian folklore adds another layer, with stories of underground folk – sometimes called bergtroll or småfolk, or dvergar – who live inside mountains. In mining areas, tales abound of spirits who knock on rock walls to warn of cave-ins or guide miners to rich veins of ore. While some are skilled and helpful, others are jealous or easily offended.
Faroe Islands – Dwarves and the Hidden Ones
Faroese stories often feature huldufólk, hidden people who share characteristics with dwarves and elves. They dwell in rocky hills and remote mountains and are rarely seen unless approached with great caution. Like their Icelandic cousins, they might lend tools, heal animals, or – more darkly – steal human children to raise as their own. These tales echo a wider Nordic tradition of unseen but powerful underground folk who demand acknowledgement and respect.
The Duergar of Northumbria – Dwarves with a Darker Tone
In the Simonside Hills of Northumbria in northern England, local legends speak of the duergar – small, sinister dwarf-like beings with malicious intent. Unlike the smiths and nature spirits of Scandinavia, these creatures are often malevolent. They carry lanterns to lure travelers into bogs or over cliffs at night, much like will-o’-the-wisps.
Described as short, ugly, and wearing old-fashioned clothes, they are sometimes considered ghostly or demonic. Their presence in the folklore of the Scottish Borders and northern England may reflect a cultural blend of Norse, Celtic, and Anglo-Saxon elements, preserved in a particularly eerie local form.
Scandinavian Dvärgar – Nature Spirits and Earth Folk
In later Scandinavian folklore – especially in rural Sweden – dwarves became part of a broader class of underground spirits: jordvättar, vittror, and underjordiska. These beings guard the natural world, sacred places, and untouched landscapes. They might live beneath rocks, ancient grave mounds, or within forests, and their presence often explained strange happenings or natural “moods.” They are considered to be closely related to älvor (elves) and landväsen (land-spirits), and are sometimes hard to distinguish.
The Germanic Wichtlein – Mine Spirits and Omens
In southern German folklore, Wichtlein are small, dwarf-like beings who dwell in mines. Like their Nordic cousins, they are known to knock on walls to warn miners of danger – or cause accidents if angered. Their behavior is ambivalent: they can act as both protectors and threats. The Wichtlein are related to kobolds, another class of Germanic mine spirits, and reflect the deep European tradition of associating mysterious underground figures with craftmanship, treasure, and danger.
The Fantasy Dwarves – Tolkien’s Legacy
Modern fantasy literature – especially the works of J.R.R. Tolkien – has cemented a particular vision of dwarves in popular culture. Inspired by the Norse dvergar, Tolkien reimagined them as proud, long-bearded warriors and miners with their own language, culture, and deep lore. They are brave, stubborn, and fiercly loyal, with strong clan ties, and unmatched craftmanship in stone and metal.
A Many-Faceted People Beneath the Earth
Whether feared or revered, dwarves symbolize the enduring mystery of the underground—the hidden forces beneath the surface of the world. Their forms vary from place to place: divine smiths, tricksters, nature spirits, or fantasy warriors. Yet they all share one trait: a deep connection to forgotten places, ancient power, and the idea that not all is as it seems beneath the earth.
Cultural Echoes – Guardians of the Natural World
Though not as widely known as trolls or elves, dwarves (dvergar, dvärgar, duergar) hold an essential place in Nordic and Northern European animistic traditions. These beliefs saw the natural world—forests, rocks, mountains—as alive with hidden beings and protective spirits. Dwarves often embodied these forces, acting as guardians of wild places and old ways. Whether they took the form of ancient smiths or stone-dwellers near the farmstead, they reminded people of a powerful truth: respect the land, and it may protect you in return.