sylvestres
nature_spirit sky Christian single tradition · 1
Sylvestres are elemental beings who live in air, also called forest people, sylphs, air people, or wind people. They are one of four types of spirit-men corresponding to the classical elements. Sylvestres can give birth to monsters, specifically giants, which serve as omens signifying great disasters.
When
- First attested
- 1500 CE
- Attested period
- 1500 – 1600
- Historical notes
- Documented in Paracelsus's writings on elemental beings during the early modern period.
Relationships
- co occurs with
- sea monks, will-o'-the-wisp, Sirens, dwarfs
- sibling of
- gnomes, nymphs, salamanders
- parent of
- giant
Mentioned by
Sources
Source passages
“Those who live in air, he calls forest people, sylvestres, sylphs, air people, or wind people... Giants are monsters from the sylphs.”
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