Sylphs are mythical creatures often associated with the element of air. They are typically depicted as graceful, ethereal beings that embody the qualities of lightness and agility. In various traditions, sylphs are considered elemental spirits, representing the airy aspect of nature, and are sometimes linked to the four elements alongside gnomes, undines, and salamanders. The concept of sylphs gained popularity during the Renaissance and was further explored in the works of writers like Paracelsus, who classified them as one of the elemental beings. In literature and art, sylphs are often portrayed as delicate and beautiful, symbolizing freedom and the fleeting nature of the wind.