Who are the sylphs: the invisible people of the air

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Sylphs are mythical creatures representing the element of Air. It is believed that the medieval alchemist Paracelsus was the first to introduce them into magical practice. Although, rather, he simply gave a name and determined the external form of the spirits with which humanity has always inhabited the elements around it. From our article you will find out who these sylphs are and what abilities they have.

Sylphs in mythology

Mankind has always believed in the existence of air spirits. Even the name "sylph" is the idea of the medieval physician and alchemist Paracelsus. During his life, he did a lot for the development of science of that time, and, in particular, medicine and chemistry, but still looked at the world through the eyes of a man of the Middle Ages, who believed in the existence of various mystical creatures.

Harmony of the four elements

According to Paracelsus, everything in this world consists of four elements (elements) in harmony: earth, water, air and fire. Each element has a patron creature - a kind of personification of inanimate nature in the form of a living magicalcreatures - spirit, phantom. Paracelsus himself called these spirits "sagans", and in the current magical practice they are usually called "elementals" or "elementals":

• sylph is a spirit corresponding to the element of Air;
• dwarf - Earth elemental;
• salamander - the spirit of Fire;
• undine is the personification of the Water element.

Each of the elementals has unique qualities and characteristics, akin to the four types of temperament. Of these, the sylphs are the most fickle (windy), but at the same time the most insightful creatures, and the gnomes are the phlegmatic inhabitants of the dungeon. Hot-tempered, but quickly retreating salamanders are similar to choleric people, and emotional undines are responsible for the sphere of feelings and flexibility of the mind.

The invisible sylph spirit is…

People need sylphs to have a certain shape. For most of their existence, they remain invisible, dissolving in their habitat: air or ether. But when the sylph decides to materialize, he incarnates in the form of a small, refined creature, similar to a man, but even more gracefully built. They have thin, long figures, narrow, almond-shaped eyes, and pointed ears. The image of the sylphs created by Paracelsus influenced the entire European mythology. Sylphs are the same elves or fairies, without which not a single modern fantasy can do. The invention of Paracelsus and folklore mixed into a single image, and gained popularity in cinema and literature.

It is believed that sylphs have small thin wings behind their backs, similar todragonflies, but they are more of a symbolic function: the spirit of air does not need wings to fly. Sylphs are attributed different sizes. Sometimes they are depicted as small, like fairies, sometimes as tall as a person (at least not taller). Perhaps the sylphs can even change their apparent form.

Ballet "La Sylphide": history of creation

According to one of the versions, there were no male beings among the Sylph people, which prompted them to look for a mate among people. Based on this legend, one of the oldest ballet productions, La Sylphide, was created. This ballet is based on the work of the French writer of the times of Napoleon, Charles Nodier. The first production of La Sylphide was created in 1832 by the French composer Jean Schneitzhoffer and the Italian-born choreographer Filippo Taglioni.

In 1836, a Danish choreographer, August Bournonville, wanted to create his own ballet to Schneitzhoffer's music. But the Paris Opera was unwilling to give away what they considered to be theirs by right, and asked too high a price for the composer's musical notes. Then Bournonville decided to create a separate work and turned to the composer Herman Levenskold for help. So, a new version of the ballet was created, and it is she who has survived to this day. The choreography of the original version created by Taglioni has unfortunately been lost.

The plot of the ballet "La Sylphide"

The events of the story about the Sylph take place in Scotland, on the eve of the wedding of the main characters - James and Effie. It would seem that nothing canhinder the happiness of a young couple: all the preparations are over and the holiday is about to begin. But unexpectedly, a Sylph, a magical creature in the form of a young maiden, intervenes in James' life. She quickly charms the young man on the evening before the wedding, kisses and disappears. Then the sorceress Madge appears in the plot, predicting Effy that she will marry a friend of James named Gyurn, and James himself will fall in love with another. Angry James, to Effy's delight, drives Madge away. But on the day of the festival itself, the Sylph reappears and steals the ring intended for the bride. James rushes after her, leaving the bride and guests bewildered.

In the second act, the action moves to the enchanted forest, where the Sylph lives with her sisters and the sorceress Madge. James is still in an endless pursuit of the Sylph, who, although she shows sympathy for him, is not even given a hug. Then Madge suggests to James that he lasso the Sylph with a magic scarf so that she loses her wings. But along with the wings, the Sylph lost her life. The ballet ends with James lying heartbroken at Madge's feet.