Elfshot

Elfshot or elf-shot is a medical condition described in the Anglo-Saxon medical text that may have been believed to be caused by elves shooting invisible elf-arrows at a person or animal (most often cattle), causing sudden shooting pains localized to a particular area of the body. Modern diagnoses might include rheumatism, arthritis, muscle stitches or cramps. The term "elf-shot" is variously understood and used across different contexts. It has been interpreted as referring not only to disease caused by elves using projectiles but also to witchcraft involving projectiles without elves or fairies. Additionally, it can denote prehistoric arrowheads believed to be used by fairies or witches to cause harm or serve as protective amulets. Consequently, scholarship on elf-shot has been marked by significant confusion, with different sources applying divergent definitions and missing connections between them.

Elfshot or elf-shot is a medical condition described in the Anglo-Saxon medical text that may have been believed to be caused by elves shooting invisible elf-arrows at a person or animal (most often cattle), causing sudden shooting pains localized to a particular area of the body. Modern diagnoses might include rheumatism, arthritis, muscle stitches or cramps. The term "elf-shot" is variously understood and used across different contexts. It has been interpreted as referring not only to disease caused by elves using projectiles but also to witchcraft involving projectiles without elves or fairies. Additionally, it can denote prehistoric arrowheads believed to be used by fairies or witches to cause harm or serve as protective amulets. Consequently, scholarship on elf-shot has been marked by significant confusion, with different sources applying divergent definitions and missing connections between them. ==See also== Fairy riding – paralysis in livestock, attributed to fairies Projectile point – component of any projectile weapon, including arrows and spears Thunderstone (folklore) – flint arrowheads once thought to have fallen from the sky

Text derived from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=1374472001 under CC BY-SA 4.0; modifications have been made.