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Alfheim is the world of the light elves in Norse mythology, beings said to be fairer than the sun. It is one of the nine worlds, and the god Freyr rules it, given to him as a gift when he cut his first tooth.
What is Alfheim?
Alfheim is the world of the light elves (ljosalfar), described as beings fairer than the sun, radiant and beautiful. In the myths they are shadowy figures more than fully drawn characters, associated with light, beauty and a subtle magic, and sometimes blurred together with the gods themselves.
Freyr, lord of Alfheim
Curiously, the Prose Edda names the Vanir god Freyr as lord of Alfheim, given to him as a tooth-gift when he cut his first tooth. The light elves stand opposite the dark elves or dwarves of Svartalfheim below, a pairing of radiant and earthbound craftspeople.
Ruled by: Freyr, to whom the gods gave the world as a tooth-gift.
Its opposite is Svartalfheim, the world of the dwarves. It hangs with the other worlds in Yggdrasil, the World Tree.
Questions
Who lives in Alfheim?
The light elves (ljosalfar), radiant beings of light and beauty.
Who rules Alfheim?
The Vanir god Freyr, Freyja's brother.