Troll

A troll (originated from Old Norse trǫll, also known as þurs in Norse or thurse in Anglo-Saxon) is a class of being in Germanic mythology and Scandinavian folklore. In Old Norse sources, beings described as trolls dwell in isolated rocks, mountains, or caves, live together in small family units, and are rarely helpful to human beings.

Later, in Scandinavian folklore, trolls became beings in their own right, where they live far from human habitation, are not christianized, and are considered dangerous to human beings. Depending on the source, their appearance varies greatly; trolls may be ugly and slow-witted, or look and behave exactly like human beings, with no particularly grotesque characteristic about them.

Trolls are sometimes associated with particular landmarks, which at times may be explained as formed from a troll exposed to sunlight. Trolls are depicted in a variety of media in modern popular culture.

History
Nordic literature, art and music from the romantic era and onwards has adapted trolls in various manners – often in the form of an aboriginal race, endowed with oversized ears and noses. They are often depicted with tails and hairy ears, similar to the ears of lynxes.The meaning of the word troll is unknown. It might have had the original meaning of supernatural or magical with an overlay of malignant and perilous. Another likely suggestion is that it means "someone who behaves violently" In old Swedish law, trolleri was a particular kind of magic intended to do harm. It should also be noted that North Germanic terms such as trolldom (witchcraft) and trolla/trylle (perform magic tricks) in modern Scandinavian languages does not imply any connection with the mythical beings. Moreover, in the sources for Norse mythology, troll can signify any uncanny being, including but not restricted to the Norse giants (jötnar).

Literature

 * Trolls have been either seen or mentioned in all the Harry Potter books except The Half-Blood Prince.
 * A troll is featured in the information book Worlds Worst Monsters and Villains.
 * Trolls are also appear in Tolkien Universe, where there are two types of Trolls: Caves Trolls and Mountain Trolls.

Films

 * A troll was seen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and mentioned in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.

Video games

 * Trolls appear in numerous Harry Potter games, based on the films and LEGO sets.

Gallery
Image gallery of Troll