Troll

Trolls are supernatural beings found in Nordic folklore and Norse mythology.

They represent a wide range of creatures in human imagination. In ancient Old Norse sources, trolls were often described as living in isolated areas. These beings typically dwelled in mountains, caves, or rocky landscapes. They usually lived in small family units, such as a mother and her sons. Most ancient accounts suggest they were rarely helpful to human beings. In later Scandinavian folklore, they became a distinct type of being. These later trolls lived far from human homes and were not Christianized. Because of this, they were often viewed as dangerous to people.

The appearance and behavior of trolls vary greatly depending on the source. Some legends describe them as ugly, extremely old, and slow-witted. Other stories claim they can look and act exactly like humans. Some traditions even state that trolls turn to stone when exposed to sunlight.

In some cases, specific landmarks are said to be formed by trolls. For example, a rock might be a troll turned to stone. In Scandinavian folklore, trolls are also known for a practice called bergtagning. This term literally means "mountain-taking" and refers to the kidnapping of people. They were also known to overrun farms or large estates.

There is much debate regarding the exact meaning of the word "troll." The term likely comes from the Proto-Germanic word *trullan, meaning "to tread" or "to step on."

In Norse mythology, the term was used alongside other names like jötunn, þurs, and risi. Some researchers, such as Lotte Motz, proposed that these were four distinct classes. These classes included lords of nature, mythical magicians, hostile monsters, and heroic beings. However, other scholars like Ármann Jakobsson argue there is no convincing evidence for this. Jakobsson suggests the term was a broad label for many different things. It could describe a witch, a ghost, a demon, or even an abnormally strong person.

Different regions of Scandinavia developed their own specific names for these beings. In Denmark, they were recorded as troldfolk or bjergtrolde, which means "mountain-trolls." In Norway, they were called trollfolk or tusser. Some Norwegian traditions also mention the Huldrefolk, or "hidden-folk." While some trolls are described as large, others are seen as small and human-like. In the Orkney and Shetland islands, the word "trow" was used. This term describes beings very similar to the Huldrefolk of Norway. Some believe the word "troll" was used by Norse settlers to describe supernatural beings that required respect and avoidance.

Folklore also contains many beliefs about how to deal with or avoid trolls. A common belief held that lightning would frighten away trolls and jötnar. This may reflect the role of the god Thor, who was a foe to their race. Some traditions suggest that the constant ringing of church bells drove trolls away. It was believed that trolls would sometimes resist this by destroying churches under construction. They were even said to hurl large boulders at completed churches. Many large local stones are still described as the result of a troll's toss.

The concept of the troll has moved from ancient myth into modern culture.

Trolls appear in famous fantasy worlds, such as Tolkien's Middle-earth. They are also part of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. In the 1950s, Troll dolls became a very popular toy. This popularity led to animated movies like the 2016 film "Trolls." Other modern examples include the 2010 film "Trollhunter" and the 2022 Netflix movie "Troll." The latter features a 105-foot troll with a rocky body and a cat-like tail. A sequel, "Troll 2," was released in 2025 and featured two trolls.

Trolls connect to many different fields of study and art. Some researchers have hypothesized that troll myths might come from real encounters with Neanderthals. In science, a Norwegian research station in Antarctica is named "Troll." It was named this because the surrounding mountains look like rugged trolls. Artists have also kept the legend alive through visual works. For example, the Swedish artist Rolf Lidberg was well known for his illustrations. The Danish artist Thomas Dambo creates large troll sculptures from recycled wood. These sculptures can be found in various botanic gardens around the world.