Sylphs are mythical creatures that represent 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 defined the external form of the spirits with which mankind has always inhabited the elements around him. From our article, you will find out who the 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 believes in the existence of various mystical creatures.
The 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 magical creature - spirit, phantom. Paracelsus himself called these spirits “sagans,” and in current magical practice it is customary to call them “elementals” or “elementals”:
- sylph is a spirit corresponding to the elements of Air;
- the gnome is the elemental of the Earth;
- salamander - the spirit of Fire;
- undina - 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 unstable (windy), but at the same time the most insightful creatures, and the dwarves are the phlegmatic inhabitants of the dungeon. Hot-tempered, but quickly departing salamanders are similar to choleric, and emotional undins are responsible for the sphere of feelings and flexibility of the mind.
The invisible spirit of the bellows is ...
People need the sylphs to have a certain shape. For most of their existence, they remain invisible, dissolving in their environment: air or ether. But when the sylph decides to materialize, it is embodied in the form of a small, refined creature, similar to a man, but even more elegantly built. They have thin long figures, narrow almond-shaped eyes and pointed ears. The image of the sylphs, created by Paracelsus, influenced all of European mythology. Sylphs are the same elves or fairies, without which no 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 the sylphs behind their backs have small thin wings, similar to dragonflies, but they carry more of a symbolic function: the spirit of the air does not need wings to fly. Sylphs are credited with different sizes. Sometimes they are portrayed as small as fairies, sometimes as tall as a person (at least not taller). Perhaps the sylphs are even subject to a change in the visible form.
Ballet La Sylphide: the story of creation
According to one version, there were no male creatures among the people of Sylph, which prompted them to find 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 time of Napoleon, Charles Nodier. The first production of La Sylphide was created in 1832 through the efforts of the French composer Jean Schneichhofer and Italian-born choreographer Filippo Taglioni.
In 1836, the choreographer from Denmark, August Bournonville, wanted to create his own ballet to the music of Schneitzhofer. But the Paris Opera did not want to give back what it considered to belong to it by right, and asked for a too high price for the musical notes of the composer. Then Bournonville decided to create a separate work and turned for help to the composer Herman Levenskold. So, a new version of the ballet was created, and it has been preserved to this day. The choreography of the original version created by Taglioni, unfortunately, has been lost.
The plot of the ballet La Sylphide
The events of the La Sylphide story take place in Scotland, on the eve of the wedding of the main characters - James and Effie. It would seem that nothing can interfere with the happiness of a young couple: all preparations are finished and the holiday is about to begin. But unexpectedly, Sylphide intervenes in James' life - a magical creature in the form of a young maiden. She quickly captivates the young man in the evening before the wedding, kisses and disappears. Then the witch Madge appears in the plot, predicting Effie that she will marry a friend of James named Gurn, and James himself will fall in love with another. Angry James, to Effie's delight, drives Madge away. But on the day of the festival itself, La Sylphide reappears and steals the ring intended for the bride. James rushes after her, leaving the bride and guests at a loss.
In the second act, the action moves to the enchanted forest, where Sylphide lives with her sisters and the witch Madge. James is still in endless pursuit of Sylphide, who, although showing sympathy for him, is not even given a hug. Then Madge offers James to lasso Sylphide with a magic scarf so that she loses her wings. That's just along with the wings of La Sylphide lost her life. The ballet ends with James lying heartbroken at Madge's feet.