Weiße Frauen

Weiße Frauen (White Women) are Elven-like spirits found in Germanic sources with some of them being mentioned as far back as the 7th Century. They are sometimes a corruption of wise women and some of the oldest is the Friesian Witte Wieven, and Dame Blanches in Frankish culture. They are beautiful and enchanting creatures who appear at noon, appearing in sunshine brushing their hair or bathing in a brook. Some may be guarding treasure or haunting a castle. When encountered by mortals they usually beseech them to break their spell, but always prove to be unsuccessful. They seem to be a corruption of the Old Norse light elves called Ljósálfar.