What Color Are Trolls

The term "troll" often evokes images of colossal, mythical creatures fromवNorse mythology, known for their stone-like skin and greenish-blue hue. But what color are trolls? The answer is not as simple as it seems, as the color of trolls can vary greatly across different cultural tales and interpretations. Let's delve into this intriguing query, exploring the range of troll colors across various mythologies and popular culture.

In standard Norwegian folklore, the troll's coloration is often described as a grayish-blue or grayish-green, reflecting the rugged, craggy landscape of Scandinavia. This is likely why many depictions show them as stone-grey or green, mimicking their ability to blend with moss-covered boulders or turn to stone under the sunlight. However, this isn't always the case. Trolls in other Nordic tales can vary widely in color.

Elemental Troll Colors in Norse Mythology

The Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, ancient texts containing key information about Norse mythology, describe trolls as large and powerful beings, often connected to natural elements. These elemental connections might influence their color.

For instance, the Jötunn, a race of giants and sages who sometimes appear as trolls, are frequently associated with the sea. Some interpretations suggest these water trolls might appear blue or green, reflecting the colors of seaweed, water, or the night's sky. Similarly, mountain trolls could be gray or brown, mirroring the hues of their rocky habitats. Earth trolls might exhibit various shades of brown, red, or green, tied to their earthy domains.

Fjársultr: The Silver-Gray Trolls

In some Icelandic folklore, specifically the story of Grettis Saga, we encounter Fjársultr, or "money-trolls," which are described as having silver-gray skin. These trolls are said to guard treasures and bring wealth to those who can befriend them. This unique coloration might stem from their association with precious metals, making them distinct from other troll varieties.

These silver-grey trolls are also called "graylaech" (grey-leeches) in some tales, another nod to their peculiar skin color. Their unusual color might symbolize their ability to grasp, or "leech," valuable items from unsuspecting travelers. Some interpretations even suggest they were once humans transformed into trolls due to their greed, giving rise to their distinctive coloration.

Black Trolls and Dark Magic

In many cultures, black is associated with darkness, evil, and the supernatural. Trolls, as mystical creatures, sometimes adopt this color. In some Scandinavian folktales, trolls are said to be enveloped in a black pallor, making them nearly impossible to locate in the dark forests they inhabit. This color could also symbolize their malevolent nature, as many tales portray trolls as malicious beings who kidnap or torment humans.

The black troll is also present in popular culture. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" features trolls that are described as black, while the video game series "World of Warcraft" features obsidian trolls, confirming the prevalence of the black troll trope. Despite this, black trolls are not as common in traditional folklore as their gray and green counterparts.

The Color Spectrum of Trolls in Popular Culture

In modern times, trolls have been reimagined in various forms of media, leading to a vast spectrum of colors. From animated movies to video games and comic books, the color of trolls has become a creative tool for artists to express their unique visions.

For instance, the DreamWorks animated film "Trolls" features a vibrant cast of multicolored trolls, each with their unique personalities and appearances. The character "Poppy," for example, is a glowing, shining Bergen blue-female, while the villain "Drago," is described as a stern, red-black-furred Bergen male troll. This film illustrates the artistic freedom given to artists when creating trolls for modern audiences.

Troll Colors across Video Games

Video games, too, have their share of unique troll colorations. "Rune" features trolls in hues of gray, brown, and even deep, inky black, while "World of Warcraft" introduces the Obsidian Cache Troll, a troll race with dark obsidian skin and spikes running along its back. These games show how troll colors can vary even within the same medium, reflecting the creative liberty given to game designers.

The outcome is a vast and varied spectrum of troll colors, reflecting both their mythological roots and the creativity of modern artists. By exploring these different interpretations, we can see how the color of trolls has evolved over time, becoming a complex and fascinating aspect of their lore.

So, what color are trolls? The answer, as we've seen, is hardly straightforward. Trolls span a wide range of colors, from the silvery gray and dark black of traditional folklore to the vibrant Bergen blue and red colors of modern depictions. Each color offers insights into the cultural, historic, and artistic interpretations of these ancient creatures, making troll colors a compelling area of study for anyone interested in mythology and popular culture.