Elemental

In mythology or alchemy, an elemental is a creature (usually a spirit) that is attuned with, or composed of, one of the classical elements: air, earth, fire and water.

The concept of elementals seems to have been conceived by Paracelsus in the 16th century. Paracelsus' elementals were:

Element Elemental

Air Sylph (invented by Paracelsus)

Earth Gnome (invented by Paracelsus, but probably based on the traditional kobold)

Fire Salamander (traditional)

Water Undine (invented by Paracelsus)

Antroposophy is also known to have knowledge of elementals.

Elementals are commonly mentioned in grimoires dealing with alchemy and sorcery and are usually called by summoning.

In fantasy role-playing, computer and trading card games, elementals are common, albeit difficult, opponents, which can often only be defeated by an element of the opposing variety. Many games use elementals composed of non-standard elements — elementals made of darkness, ice, life energy, light, lightning, magical energy, magma, mana, mud, plants, smoke, temporal energy and weather phenomena are all relatively common.

In the world of computer science, the concept of elemental programming is known.

Elementals is a superhero comic book published by Comico Comics; see Elementals (comics).

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