The archetype for characters who possess traits of or are elemental spirits. Combination of Spirit and Elemental Physiology. Variation of Nature Spirit.
Also Called[]
- Elemental Spiritual Entities
- Spirits/Nymphs of the Elements
Properties[]
As an archetype, an elemental spirit or an elemental: a mythical being that embodies certain elements.
An elemental is a mythic being that is described in occult and alchemical works from around the time of the European Renaissance, and particularly elaborated in the 16th century works of Paracelsus. According to Paracelsus and his subsequent followers, there are four categories of elementals, which are gnomes, undines, sylphs, and salamanders. These correspond to the four Empedoclean elements of antiquity: earth, water, air, and fire, respectively. Terms employed for beings associated with alchemical elements vary by source and gloss.
The Paracelsian concept of elementals draws from several much older traditions in mythology and religion. Common threads can be found in folklore, animism, and anthropomorphism. Examples of creatures such as the Pygmy were taken from Greek mythology.
The elements of earth, water, air, and fire were classed as the fundamental building blocks of nature. This system prevailed in the Classical world and was highly influential in medieval natural philosophy. Although Paracelsus uses these foundations and the popular preexisting names of elemental creatures, he is doing so to present new ideas which expand on his own philosophical system. The homunculus is another example of a Paracelsian idea with roots in earlier alchemical, scientific, and folklore traditions.
Unlike common elemental entities, which may be composed of flesh or elemental energies, Elemental spirits are most always considered spiritual entities.
Associated Powers[]
- Elemental Manipulation (Variation varies)
- Elemental/Spirit Physiology (Variation varies)
Variations[]
Standard Variations[]
- Gnome (Earth)
- Salamander (Fire)
- Sylph (Air)
- Undine (Water)
Mythological Variations[]
Elemental Variations[]
- Blood Spirit
- Darkness Spirit
- Earth Spirit
- Fire Spirit
- Gravity Spirit
- Light Spirit
- Lightning Spirit
- Plant Spirit
- Poison Spirit
- Time Spirit
- Water Spirit
- Wind Spirit
Associations[]
Flaws/Weaknesses[]
- May only embody one element.
Note[]
- The four variations above are categorized based on the works of Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa and Paracelus.
Known/Example Characters[]
- Elemental Spirits (Black Clover)
- Salamander
- Undine
- Sylph
- Elemental Spirits (Crash Bandicoot)
- Donovan Baine’s spirits; via Dhylec and his beads (Darkstalkers)
- Lightning; electricity
- Blizzard; ice
- Efreet; fire
- Giant spirit; unknown
- Unnamed trident wielding spirit; water
- Spirits of the Enchanted Forest (Frozen 2)
- Death (Netflix Castlevania Series)
- Andrius (Genshin Impact)
- Venti (Genshin Impact)
- Gnome (Renaissance Mythology)
- Salamander (Renaissance Mythology)
- Sylph (Renaissance Mythology)
- Undine (Renaissance Mythology)
- Five Grand Elemental Spirits (Shaman King)
- Spirit of Earth
- Spirit of Fire
- Spirit of Rain
- Spirit of Thunder
- Spirit of Wind
- Ala (Slavic Mythology)
- German (Slavic Mythology)
- Elemental Spirits (Valkyrie Crusade)
- Gnome
- Salamander
- Sylph
- Undine
- Great Spirits (Yankee Wa Isekai De Seirei Ni Aisaremasu)
- Elemental Spirits ("That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime")
- Elemental Souls ("That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime")
Gallery[]
.webp "Five Grand Elemental Spirits (Shaman King).webp (288 KB)")
