Weiße Frauen
Weiße Frauen are elf-like spirits in German folklore, derived from Norse Ljósálfar (light elves) per Jacob Grimm. Appear at noon bathing in brooks or combing hair, guarding treasure or haunting castles. Their enchantment symbolises Christianity's ban on older divinities (Holda, Perchta, Ostara). Dutch Witte Wieven (wise women) are cognate, traced to 7th century. Alpine variants: Salige Frauen.