ÆGIR is the god of the sea, the Neptune of the Scandinavian
mythology. His dwelling was supposed to be on the island
of Hlesey, now called Lessoe, in the Cattegat. He is sometimes
called Hler Ægir. He is of a benevolent disposition;
but his consort Ran, who is of giant race, is otherwise.
The etymology of the name Ægir is from the Icelandic
verb Ægi, to liquify, inundate, etc.
ALFADER (Father of all) a name given to Odin, as king of
gods and men. It is sometimes given to a supreme unknown
God, pre-existent and superior to Odin himself.
ALF, plural ALFER, are inferior elementary divinities, divided
into two classes, viz. the white Alfer, or Alfs of light;
and the black Alfer, or Alfs of darkness. The white Alfer
are related to the Asar and Vaner, and are friendly to
mankind; they dwell with Balder in his palace of Breidablik.
The black Alfer are mischievously disposed: they
are connected with the Dvergar (dwarfs), and like them
they shun the light of day: they dwell in caverns and sally
out at night only. Our word elf is derived therefrom.
ANGURBOD, name of a Jettinde (giantess), who, in consequence
of an amour with Asa-Lok, brought forth three
frightful offspring, viz. the wolf Fenris, the serpent Jormundgard,
commonly called the serpent of Midgard, and
Hela, queen of death and of the shades below. The word
Angurbod denotes “messenger of sorrow.”
ARILD, Arilds-tid (time of Arild). From Arilds-time is a
manner of reckoning among the Scandinavians, similar to
our expression from “Noah’s time.” It means the time
when mankind first learned the use of fire, and to have fixed
habitations. Etym.: arne (hearth), ild (fire), and tid (time).
ASA, pl. ASAR, name given to the gods of the Scandinavian
mythology; the principal Asar are Odin, Thor, Frey,
Balder, Vidar, Ægir, etc. The word seems to be derived
from the word As or Az, which in the Zend or ancient
Persian language, which forms the link between the Gothic
dialect and the Sanscrit, means elevated, powerful, sublime.
ASYNIA, pl. ASYNIOR, name given to the goddesses;
the principal Asynior are Frigga, Freya, Iduna, Sif, Gefion,
Nanna, etc.
ASAGARD, or ASGARD, is the region, the peculiar territory
of the gods. It was supposed to be in the heavens above
the earth, and to contain many rich domains and splendid
buildings, inhabited by the different gods and goddesses.
The most remarkable are the palace of Odin, called Valaskialf;
the celebrated banqueting hall or pavilion, called
Valhalla: Vingolf the peculiar palace and rendezvous of
the Asynior, or goddesses: Trudvang, the domain of Thor:
Fensal, the palace of Frigga: Folkvang, that of Freya:
Breidablik, that of Balder, besides many others which are
given in alphabetical order. Geographically, Asagard or
Asgard was the name of a territory and city on the northern
border of the Black Sea, from whence the Asiatic
Goths originally came. The word gaard in Danish, gard
in Swedish, means a walled or hedged inclosure, and is the
root of the words yard, court and garden.
ASH, see the word Yggdrassil.
ASKUR is the name of the first man: he and Embla, the first
woman, were fabricated from two trees by Bor and Bure;
according to others, by Odin, Vil and Ve. Askur and
Embla were then placed by their makers in Midgard, to
dwell therein, and perpetuate their race. Askur and
Embla are in fact the Adam and Eve of the Gothic mythology.
Etym.: askr (ash tree).
ASTRILD is the god of love: his name is not to be found
in the Edda, but it appears in several of the old Sagas.
Etym.: Ast, old Danish word signifying (love) and ild
(fire).
AUKTHOR, a name given to Thor: it means Thor the charioteer,
from âka (to drive), Swedish verb.
AUDUMBLA, name of the mythologic cow formed by the
Fiat of Alfader (the quisquis deorum), at the creation of
the universe. By licking the salt rocks in Ginnungagap,
she occasioned the birth of Bure, the progenitor of the
Asar race. The cow Audumbla represents the organic
power of nature acting upon the Chaos. The word, I
think, means “development,” from the Icelandic words
aud, particle signifying facility, and embla (laborious).
BALDER is the son of Odin and Frigga, the most beloved
of his father and mother, the most benevolent among the
Asar, the sun personified, the god of light, piety and poesy.
He was slain by his twin brother Hædur, born blind, with
a branch of the mistletoe. His fate and its consequences
have been related at length in the preliminary discourse
to this poem. Balder typifies the sun at the summer solstice,
and his death the disappearance of the sun from the
horizon during the winter months in the north, while
Hædur, type of darkness, reigns. The word in Icelandic
means brilliant, beautiful, powerful. Balder has an evident
analogy with the Baal of the Assyrians, the Apollo of the
Greeks, the Horus of the Egyptians, the Krïshna of the
Hindoos, all of which are types of the sun in its highest
splendour.
BAUGE, name of a giant, who procured for Odin entrance
into the bower of Gunliod, when he sought to make himself
master of the vase containing the precious liquor called
Suttung’s mead, which was confided to the care of Gunliod.
Bolverk was the name assumed by Odin on that occasion.
Baug in Icelandic means a “ring,” and among the
northern nations in the Gothic time promises were made
by holding a ring; and this mythe may mean Odin’s seduction
of Gunliod by means of a promise given on the
ring.
BERGELMER, name of the giant who, with his wife, were
the only ones of that race who escaped being drowned in
the blood of Ymer. He and his consort escaped on a
wreck, and landed on the top of a mountain. From these
two descended the second generation of giants. This
mythe reminds one of the deluge of Noah and that of Deucalion
and Pyrrha, and the mountain, mount Ararat; for
Bergelmer means the ancient of the mountain, from berg
(mountain), and gamla (old).
BERSERK (bare sark), name given to a sort of combatants
among the ancient Scandinavians, who affected peculiar
ferocity, and fought with their fists and teeth, in the absence
of other weapons, and in no other clothing but their
shirt; hence their name. Berserkgang is a term used to
signify a combat of life and death, and is often applied to
the exploits of Thor, to denote their peculiar danger and
difficulty.
BETSLA, name of a beautiful giantess, the wife of Bor, and
mother of Odin, Vil and Ve.
BIFROST, name of the vast bridge which unites heaven to
earth, and typifies the rainbow. Over this bridge the Asar
must pass when they descend to the world below; over it
must likewise pass the heroes slain in battle, when they
ascend to Valhalla, escorted by the Valkyrior. Etym.:
from the Icelandic words bifa (to move) and röst (stone).
The bridge Bifrost was supposed to be constructed of
stones of various colours.
BILSKIRNIR, name of the palace or castle of Thor, in
Trudvang. It is tiled with copper shields, its halls are inlaid
with gold and silver, and it has five hundred and forty
gates. Etym.: Icelandic words billd (aspect, image), and
skirna (make bright).
BOLVERK, name assumed by Odin when he served Bauge,
disguised as a labourer. The etymology of this word may
be böll (a bolt) and verk (work).
BOR, or Bör, name of the son of Bure; by his union with
the beautiful giantess Betsla, he became the father of the
Scandinavian triad, Odin, Vil, and Ve. Bor, in Icelandic,
means son. But I suspect the word to be of Hebrew origin,
meaning beginning; for böra is precisely the Hebrew
word wherewith the first book of Genesis begins.
BRAGUR, or BRAGA, an Asa, the god of poetry and musical
declamation. At the banquets of Valhalla, he chaunts
to the sound of his harp the praises of the gods and Einherier,
and celebrates in high-flown language their virtues
and warlike deeds. He is the husband of Iduna. He is
called by the poets of the north, Bragur hin gamle (Bragur
the ancient). Etym.: Icelandic verb bragga (to adorn,
to embellish). Our English word to brag comes probably
from the same root.
BREIDABLIK, name of the palace of Balder, in Asagard;
it is tiled with pearls! Etym.: breid (broad, extended),
blik (view).
BURE, father of Bor, and progenitor of the Asar race:
his production, effectuated by the cow Audumbla, has
been already related in the translator’s preface. Bure in
Icelandic has the same meaning as Bör, i.e. son. Both the
words come probably from the Hebrew or Zend, and
mean the same thing, viz. origin or beginning.
DAG (day), the son of Delling.
DELLING, name of the father of Dag (day); the word
means division.
DISA, pl. DISAR; name given to the Asynior, or goddesses.
This word is evidently of Persian origin.
DISARSAL (hall of the Disar), name often given to the palace
of Vingolf, the peculiar place of reunion for the goddesses
in Asagard.
DOVRE, name of a chain of mountains in Norway, which
seems to bear the same relation to Asagard as the natural
mount Olympus in Greece bears to the mythological one.
DRAPA means funeral dirge, or song of the apotheosis. In it
were celebrated the funeral ceremonies of a deceased hero,
his glorious actions recapitulated, and his elevation to the
rank of an Einherier and admission into Valhalla triumphantly
announced. The English word dirge comes, perhaps,
from the Icelandic and Swedish verb dyrka (to adore).
DRUPNER, name of a magic ring fabricated for Odin by
the dwarfs, at the command of Asa-Lok. This ring had
the faculty of dropping eight other rings on every ninth
night: by this is typified the change of the moon and its
phases. When Odin placed the ring Drupner on the bosom
of his son Balder, when he laid his corpse upon the
funeral pile, he whispered a secret in his ear. This may
allude to the promise of resurrection, but none knew the
secret, save Odin himself. The placing of the ring Drupner
(the moon) on the bosom of Balder (the sun) may typify
the eclipse of the sun by the moon intervening.
Etym.: from the Icelandic verb driupa (to drop, or
distil).
DVERG, pl. DVERGAR (Dwarf), mythological beings, of
short stature, who dwelt in caverns and were skilful in
the fabrication of metallic instruments. They are unable
to bear the glare of the sun, and prefer to rove about at
night. From this circumstance, and from their being at
times disposed to mischief, they are considered as related
to the giants; but they are employed both by gods and
giants to make armour and other instruments for them.
They are represented as being of an exceedingly timorous
disposition.
DWARFS, see DVERG.
EIKTHYRNIR, name of the mythological stag which stands
on the roof of the portal of Valaskialf, and from whose
antlers springs a fountain which furnishes water to all
the rivers of the earth. Etym.: eikt (vigils), hyrnir
(horns).
EINHERIER, name given to mortal warriors deified for their
valour, and admitted among the Asar; they are constant
guests at the banquets of Valhalla. Their occupations
and amusements are thus described in the prosaic Edda:
“Every day they dress themselves in their armour, go out
on horseback to fight, and cut at one another; thus they
pass their time. But when the hour of repast approaches,
they ride home to the palace, and take their seats at the
banquet.” In the elder or poetic Edda, in the chapter
called the Vaftrudnismal, are the following words concerning
them:
“All the Einherier
In Odin’s domain,
Fight together daily,
And choose their prey of death:
From the battle they ride afterwards
To drink beer with the Asar,
And to feast on the flesh of Sâhrimner,
In joy and amity.”
Etym.: einn (one, unique), and heria (to bear arms).
EIR, name of an Asynia, whose office it is to heal the
wounds of the Einherier, when they are first admitted into
Valhalla, by squeezing into their wounds the juice of
the beet. She is, in fact, the goddess of medicine.
ELDIR, name of Ægir’s purveyor; he is supposed to dwell
under the famous whirlpool of Malstrom, and to break in
pieces with his club every bark that is engulfed therein.
Etym.: eld (fire), and may allude to the subterranean fire
supposed to be under Malstrom, and to cause its effervescence.
ELIVAGOR is, mythologically, the collective name of the
rivers that flow from the source Hvergelmer, in Ginnungagap.
Geographically, Elivagor is thought to mean the
mouth of the White Sea. Etym.: elf (a stream), and vaga
(to wander).
ELYERHOY, name of a hill or barrow in the island of
Sealand (Denmark), so called from its being the supposed
habitation of alfs or elves. In Danish, hoi means height.
EMBLA, name of the first woman, according to the Scandinavian
mythology. See Askur. Embla means laborious,
productive.
FENRIS, name of the mythologic wolf, begotten by Asa-Lok
on the witch or giantess Angurbod. He is malignant,
frightful to behold, and his nostrils vomit fire. His presence
inspired the gods with such terror, that they endeavoured
to bind him with chains of iron and copper;
but these he easily burst asunder; they then had resource
to a stratagem, and succeeded in binding him with a
magic chain, which was composed as follows: of the noise
of cat’s feet, of the beards of women, of the breath of
birds, of the saliva of fish, of the nerves of bears, and of
the roots of mountains. This chain he could not break.
The Asar then cast him down into Niffelheim, and placed
him at the gate of Helheim, the residence of Hela. There
he is to remain chained until Ragnarok; he will then
break his chain, join in the battle of the giants against the
gods, and devour Odin; but he will be afterwards himself
slain by Vidar. By Fenris wolf is typified the subterranean
fire, which it is supposed will one day occasion the
conflagration of the universe. Etym.: Fenia (giantess or
sorceress), risi (to spring from).
FENSAL, name of the palace of Frigga, in Asagard. Probable
etym.: fengisall (happy in acquiring riches).
FIALAR, name of the mythologic cock which is to crow at
Ragnarok, to excite the gods and giants to combat.
Fiallar, in Icelandic, means cock.
FINNAFENG, name of the cook of Ægir, god of the sea;
he is slain by Asa-Lok for refusing him admittance to
Ægir’s banquet. The etymology may be from the Icelandic
words fina (a piece of flesh), fenge (a capture).
FOLKVANGUR or FOLKVANG, name of the palace of
Freya in Asagard, into which are admitted, after death,
faithful lovers and virtuous women.
FORSETE, an Asa, the son of Balder, and god of justice;
he dwells in his palace Glitner. He often descends to
earth, to sit in judgment, and hear causes under the shade
of the ash-tree Yggdrassil, near the fountain of Urda.
He is the son of Balder, inasmuch as justice proceeds
from light; and as Urda is the Norna or destiny of the
past, it is from her fountain (i.e. consulting the records
of the past) that he acquires experience. The etymology
of this word is for (before), and sete (set), ergo præses,
president.
FREY, or FREYR, is the god of liberty, joy and fecundity;
he is the son of Niord, and brother of Freya. He is invoked
for sunshine and good crops. He represents the
sun at the winter solstice. The new year’s feast was instituted
to do him honour; it was the day of his birth, and
a season of festivity and joy. He was the owner of a
magic sword, but falling in love with Gerda, a beautiful
damsel of Jotun race, he gave it away to her father, in
order to obtain his consent to their union. He is to be
slain by Surtur at Ragnarok. Etym.: frei (free), friò
(seed). It is remarkable that in Egypt the sun was called
Phré. The Swedish word fröid (joy) is probably derived
from the name of this god.
FREYA is the Venus of the Scandinavians, the goddess of
love, beauty, pleasure and fecundity; she is the sister of
Frey, and daughter of Niord. She is the most beautiful
of all the Asynior. She was married to Odur; but when
the goddess Iduna, with her golden vase containing the
fruit of immortality, was stolen from Asagard, Freya, in
common with the other Asar, lost her youth and beauty;
and Odur, disgusted at the change, fled from her
embraces. On the deliverance of Iduna, Freya recovered
her youth and beauty, but her Odur never returned. She
wandered all over the earth in search of him, but in vain.
She weeps continually for his loss, and sheds tears of
gold. When she travels, it is in a golden car, drawn by
two black cats. Freya has two daughters, Siofna and
Hnos, both remarkable for their beauty and gentleness.
The Dutch word fraai (handsome), is derived probably
from Freya.
FRIGGA is the wife of Odin, the queen of the gods, the
Juno and Ceres of the Scandinavian mythology. She
sometimes typifies the earth, as Odin does the heavens;
they become thus identic with the Ουρανος and Γη of the
Greeks. She is pleased with offerings of fruits and
flowers, and is herself extremely generous and beneficent.
The constellation “Orion’s belt,” is termed by the Scalds
the “spinning-wheel of Frigga.” She is the mother of
Balder, Hædur, Thor, etc. The etymology of Frigga is
friò (seed), gà (to take care of).
FULLA, name of an Asynia, the handmaid and confidante
of Frigga, and guardian of her jewels and wardrobe. She
hands round the plates to the guests at the banquet of
Valhalla. Her name typifies abundance; voll, full, in the
German and English languages, and fuld, full, in the
Danish and Swedish, all meaning the same thing, are
probably derived therefrom.
GARDERIKE, name given by the ancient Scandinavians to
a part of Russia.
GARM, name of the mythologic dog, who remains chained
at the cavern of Gnypa, until Ragnarok; he will then
break his chain, and fight with Tyr; both will perish.
GAUTHIOD (Gothland), a name of Sweden.
GEFION, an Asynia, the goddess of virginity, herself a
virgin; she receives in her domain in Asagard women,
who die unmarried. She is the founder of the island of
Sealand (Denmark), which was supposed to have been
formerly joined to the continent of Sweden, and which,
at her request, was ploughed around, separated from the
mainland, and dragged into the Ocean by the sons of
Gyllfe, who, to please her, transformed themselves into
oxen, and performed the said service.
GEIRSODD means “point of a lance.” The historical
Odin, when on his death-bed, cut his veins with the point
of a lance, assuring his surviving followers and companions,
that those who died on the field of battle, or in
this manner covered with blood, would meet him in Valhalla,
and partake of all the delights of the immortals.
Hence the natural death by old age or sickness, called
emphatically strâ död (death on the straw), was looked
upon as ignominious by the northern warriors, and as
exposing them to the danger of falling into the clutches
of Hela. They, in consequence, when they felt their
end approaching, either by old age or sickness, opened
their veins, and bled to death; this was called cutting
runes to Odin, or otherwise geirsodd rita (to scratch with
the point of a lance); and this, as they believed, ensured
them admission into Valhalla.
GERDA, a beautiful damsel of Jotun race, daughter of the
giant Gymer. She was united to Frey with the consent
of all the gods, and admitted among the Asynior. She
was renowned for her beauty, piety and virtue. Finn
Magnussen thinks that Gerda is a type of the aurora
borealis, which replaces the light of the sun in winter, in
the extreme northern regions; Frey himself typifying the
sun. Others suppose that Gerda typifies the earth, and
her amour with Frey the relationship between the earth
and the sun.
GESTUR, name of a blind giant who proposes riddles and
enigmas to Skirnir on his journey to the world below,
for the purpose of visiting Gerda.
GIALLAR, name of the horn of Heimdal, which he blows,
to give notice to the gods of those who arrive at, and
attempt to cross the bridge Bifrost. Etym.: Icelandic
verb gala (to sing, to call out). The English verb call,
and the Swedish and Danish verbs kalla, kalde, come
from the same root.
GIANTS, called in the Scandinavian dialects Jotun, Jetter,
Jâttar, the evil genii of the Gothic mythology. At Ragnarok
they are to fight with and defeat the Asar on the
plains of Vigrid; but they are themselves to perish in the
conflagration that ensues, and they will never be resuscitated
(i.e. in a future state of existence there will be no
violence or crime). The giants dwell in their peculiar
territory, Jotunheim, in Utgard, and are ruled by their sovereign,
Lok, commonly called Utgard-Lok, to distinguish
him from an Asa of the same name. The giants were
supposed to be of various forms and races, some having
the heads of wild beasts joined to human bodies, and
others the human form entire. They understood magic,
were capable of assuming divers shapes, and of increasing
or diminishing their stature ad libitum. They seem to
bear a great resemblance to the Titans of the Greek, and
to the Afrites of the Mohammedan theology, and all are
borrowed from the Persian system, the doctrine of the
Magi.
GIMLE, the most beautiful of all buildings, in which virtuous
mortals are to dwell together with the gods, after the
reconstruction of the universe, in eternal joy and felicity.
The grave is often termed by the Scalds, “the verdant
gate of Gimle.” The German word Himmel (heaven) is
derived therefrom. Etym.: from the Icelandic word gimlir
(splendour).
GINNUNGAGAP, name of the vast abyss which existed
before the present world, and separated Niffelheim (region
of fog) from Muspelheim (region of heat). Etym.: Ginning
(between), and gapi (to yawn or open). The following
verbs, in different languages, all come from the Icelandic
verb gapi, and have the very same meaning, viz.
to gape, English; gapa, Swedish; gabe, Danish; gapen,
Dutch; gaffen, German; and the Greek words χαω, χαος
and χασμα (chasm) are likewise from the same root.
GLADHEIM, a general name given to the abodes of the
gods in Asagard, and often used as a synonyme for Valhalla.
Etym.: glad (joy, gladness), and heim (home, or
abode).
GLADHEIMASAL means hall of the abode of gladness, applied
as Gladheim.
GLITNER, name of the palace of Forsete, the god of justice.
The word means equalisation. It represents the station
of the sun between August 23 and September 23,
beginning of the autumnal equinox, corresponding with
the sign of the zodiac Libra (the balance).
GNA, an Asynia, messenger and confidante of Frigga.
When she executes the commissions of her mistress, she
rides on the steed Hofvarpur.
GNYPA, name of a cavern in Niffelheim. Etym.: Icelandic
word gnypr (steep).
GUDBRAND, or Guldbrand, name of a fertile valley in the
province of Aggerhuys, in Norway.
GULDVEIGE, a female divinity, personifying riches. Etym.:
guld (gold), veige (weigh).
GUNLIOD, name of the daughter of Suttung, to whose care
her father confided the vase containing the precious beverage
called Suttung’s mead. Seduced by Odin, she surrenders
to him the vase.
GYLLFE, name of a king of Jotun race, who reigned over
a part of Sweden at the time of the invasion of the historical
Odin.
GYLLINBORSTE (golden-bristled), name of the mythological
golden boar, fabricated by the dwarfs at the instance
of Asa-Lok, and presented to Frey to serve him as a steed,
mounted on which he travels round the world. According
to Finn Magnussen, it is a type of the sun.
GYMER, name of a Jotun or giant, the father of Gerda.
Etym.: gima (transmitting light).
HÆNIR, name of an Asa, the god of intellect; he accompanies
Odin on his travels. By some he is considered as
identic with Vil, the second person of the Scandinavian
mythological triad.
HÆRFADER (father of the fight), one of the many names
given to Odin.
HAGBARTH, name of a Norwegian prince, celebrated for
his valour and his attachment to Signe, a Danish princess.
Having had the misfortune to kill Signe’s brother in single
combat, he falls into the hands of the mother, who, to
revenge her son’s death, causes Hagbarth to be hanged.
Signe, in despair at the loss of her lover, destroys herself.
The unfortunate love of Hagbarth and Signe has been the
theme of many a northern ballad, and Œhlenschläger himself
has made it the subject of a most interesting and
pathetic tragedy.
HARBARD, in this poem, is the name of a ferryman of
Jotun race, who refuses to ferry Skirnir across a river
until he has answered his questions and displayed his
knowledge.
HEIDRUNA, name of the mythological goat who stands on
the roof of Valaskialf, and whose teats afford a constant
supply of hydromel to the guests at Valhalla.
HEIMDAL, or Heimdaller, name of an Asa who stands as
sentinel at the bridge of Bifrost, to give notice of the approach
of strangers by blowing his horn Giallar. He is
constantly on the alert to prevent surprise on the part of
the giants. Of him it is said, that he was born of nine
mothers; that he had a tooth of gold; that he could do
without sleep; see at a distance of a hundred miles, as
well by night as by day; hear wool grow on the backs of
sheep, and grasses shoot. By his doing without sleep
may be meant the absence of night from the northern
polar regions during the summer months. At Ragnarok,
he will blow his horn with all his force, to excite the gods
to combat. Etym.: Heim (abode), and dallr (horn).
HEIMKRINGLAS, name given to the universe in the Scandinavian
mythology. Etym.: Heim (abode), kring (round
about), and lâs (clasp).
HELA, or HEL, name of the queen of death and of the
shades below, daughter of Asa-Lok and of the giantess
Angurbod. She is frightful and appalling to behold: her
body is of white or natural colour below the girdle, but
all above is blue or livid, from congealed blood. The gods,
terrified at her sight, exiled her from Asagard, and cast
her down into Niffelheim, to rule over the dead. There,
in her castle Helheim, she receives the ghosts of the
worthless and cowardly, and of those who die of old age
or sickness, who omit to cut runes to Odin. Of Hela it is
said in the prosaic Edda, that her abode is anguish; her
table, famine; her attendants, delay and fruitless expectation;
her threshold, precipice; her bed, lingering sickness;
her bed-curtains, heart-rending care.
HELHEIM (abode of Hela), name of a strong castle situate in
Niffelheim, in the midst of eternal damp, ice, snow and
darkness. Herein Hela receives and detains her dead guests.
HERMOD, an Asa, the messenger of Odin; from his name
and attributes he bears a strong resemblance to the Mercury
of the Greeks, Hermes.
HERTHA (the Earth), a purely allegorical divinity, and
sometimes used as a synonyme for Frigga. In the pagan
time her image was bathed once a year by female slaves,
captives of war, who were afterwards drowned by the
priests in her honour, that they might not reveal to profane
ears the description of the charms and mysteries they had
seen and witnessed.
HILDUR, name of a heroine in the northern legends, afterwards
deified and enrolled among the Valkyrior. The
story of Hildur, as related by Samsoes, is as follows: Her
lover Hedin and her father Hogni slew one another in
single combat. One night, in the violence of her grief,
she by her magic spells evoked the ghost of Hedin; but
her spells were so powerful, that the ghost of her father
Hogni also arose. The two ghosts commence fighting,
and every night they renew the combat, which is destined
to last until Ragnarok. Hildur is present and applauds
their courage. From this circumstance, War is called by
the Skalds Hildur’s game.
HLESEY, an Island in the Cattegat, supposed to be the peculiar
residence of Ægir, the god of the sea. Hlesey is
now called Lessoe. The word oe in Danish and ö in
Swedish means Island.
HLIDSKIALF, name of an immense high tower in Odin’s
palace Valaskialf, from the top of which he can see all
that passes in the world below.
HLORRIDA, a name given to Thor, when he drives his
car through the air, causing thunder. Etym.: Hliod (sound),
and rida (to ride).
HLYN, name of an Asynia, sent by Frigga to warn mankind
of sudden danger during darkness; from its etymology it
evidently typifies the flash of lightning that occurs at intervals
during a very dark night. The Danish word lyn
signifies “lightning.”
HNOS, name of a beautiful female child, the daughter of
Freya. Etym.: hnoss, an Icelandic word meaning a precious
thing.
HOEDUR or HOEDER, an Asa, twin brother of Balder; he
was born blind. How he slew his brother Balder with a
lance made of a branch of mistletoe has been already related.
Hôdur is the type of night and darkness, as Balder
is that of light and day.
HOFVARPUR, name of the steed mounted by Gna the messenger
of Frigga.
HRIMFAX, name of the steed which draws the chariot of
Night. It means “frost bringer;” this steed is sometimes
mounted by Skada.
HRIMTHUSSER, mythologically, the name of a race of
giants; the word means “frost-demon”; and from the
word thuss, demon or evil spirit, comes probably the English
word deuce. Historically, they were probably the name
of some Tartar tribe at war with the Asar, and who harassed
them exceedingly on their march. From being
good archers, and shutting one eye when they took aim,
they obtained the reputation of being one-eyed.
HRINGHORN, name of the bark or vessel of Balder, on
board of which his body was placed, and burnt after his
death. It derives its name from the circumstance of its
prow being decorated with rings of horn. Among the
Skalds a ship was often compared to an animal, and its
masts to the horns of an animal. These masts were made
fast with iron rings round their circumference, and this
I take to be the surest origin of the etymology of the name
Hringhorn or Ringhorn.
HROSVELGER, name of a giant, who, in the shape of an
eagle, causes tempests by the flapping of his wings.
Etym.: hrosi (corpse), and svelge (swallow), the wind
being the cleanser of all impurities.
HRUGNER, name of a giant made of stone, and animated
by the giants, in order to aid them in the conflict with the
Asar. Within his breast, instead of a heart, he had a
three-corner stone. He typifies probably a volcano,
since in the Icelandic tongue Hrungnir signifies “something
that makes a violent noise.” Hrugner was slain
by Thor.
HUGIN and MUNIN, names given to Odin’s two ravens, who
descend to earth, and bring back to him the news from
the nether world; when not employed as messengers,
they perch themselves on Odin’s shoulders. By Hugin is
meant “thought,” and by Munin “memory.”
HVERGELMER, name of a source or fountain in Niffelheim.
Etym.: Hver (urn or kettle), and gamla (old).
HYMIR, name of a giant, with whom Thor goes a-fishing
in the disguise of a peasant lad. He catches the serpent
Jormundgard, but Hymir files in two the anchor which
served as a hook, and the serpent escapes.
IDA, IDAVALLEN, name of the plain, on which the
resuscitated Asar and the human race are to be assembled
by Vidar, after the reconstruction of the world.
IDUNA, name of an Asynia, wife of Bragur. She is the
guardian of the golden vase, containing the apples of immortality,
the juice of which gives to the gods perpetual
youth, health and beauty. She was once carried off from
Asagard by the giant Thiasse, aided by the treachery of
Asa Lok; and the gods became at once old and feeble;
but when Iduna was recovered, and brought back to
Valhalla with her precious vase, the gods recovered all
their power and advantageous attributes. This mythe of
Iduna’s apples has its parallel in the Amreeta (drink of
immortality) in the Hindoo mythology.
ISSEFIORD, name of a large creek or fiord, in the island
of Sealand (Denmark), lying towards the north.
JETTE, pl. JETTER, JOTUN. So were called the evil
genii or giants of the Gothic mythology. Historically,
they were probably the aboriginal inhabitants of Scandinavia,
and were of Celtic race, with black hair. Being
engaged in continual and deadly warfare with the Asar
or Goths, from the time of Odin’s invasion, these last
may have, from a spirit of national hatred, transferred
the appellation Jotun to the evil genii of their own mythology,
before that epoch termed Hrimthusser. In spite,
however, of the hatred and jealousy between the Asar
and Jetter, they sometimes, like the Spaniards and Moors,
formed political and also matrimonial alliances.
JORMUNGARD, name of the mythologic serpent, called
also the serpent of Midgard. This serpent was offspring
of Asa Lok, by the giantess Angurbod. His enormous
size and frightful appearance excited such terror in the
breast of the gods, that they hurled him down into the
ocean that surrounds Midgard. There he is to remain
until Ragnarok. On that day he will join the giants in
the battle against the gods, and will be slain by Thor;
but Thor will perish himself immediately after, from the
effect of the serpent’s venom. This serpent is represented
by the poets as holding his tail in his mouth, and is
no doubt an emblem of the great Ocean, which was
thought in those times to encircle the earth. His venom
represents the dangerous effects of humidity. In the
Hindoo mythology, there is the serpent Naga, which
typifies the Ocean. Etym.: jord (earth), munr (mouth),
gard (inclosure).
JOTUN (giant); see Jette and Giant.
JOTUNHEIM, peculiar province of the Jotun or giants in
Utgard. Geographically, it is thought to denote Siberia.
LAUFEY, or LAUFEIA, name of a giantess, the mother of
Asa Lok.
LEIRE, name of the ancient capital of Denmark, situated on
the Issefiord, in Sealand. Leire was the theatre of many
an important event. The modern city of Roskild is very
near the spot, where Leire once stood.
LIF and LIFTRASIR, names of two mythological beings,
who remain concealed in the wood of Hoddmimer, at the
destruction of the world, and from whom the new race of
men are to spring; these beings are purely allegorical,
for lif signifies “life,” and liftrasir “producer of life.”
LINDERNÆS, name of a promontory on the southern coast
of Norway, in the canton of Mandal.
LODER, an Asa, who conferred beauty on mankind; by
some he is confounded with Ve, the third person of the
Scandinavian mythologic triad.
LOFNA, name of an Asynia, who presided over marriage.
Etym.: Icelandic verb lofa (to promise, to betroth).
LOK, ASA LOK, UTGARD LOK. In the Gothic mythology,
there are two important personages of the name of
Lok or Loke, in the earliest times perhaps identic, but in
the latter divided; namely Lok of Utgard, the supreme
ruler of the giants or malevolent spirits, belonging to our
world’s system, who dwells in and rules over Utgard; and
Asa Lok, originally of giant race, but admitted among the
Asar. According to Ling, a modern Swedish poet, in the
notes to his poem, called Asarne (the Asar), the mythe of
the two Loks is thus explained: Utgard Lok represents
the subterranean fire and its destructive effects, earthquakes
and volcanic eruptions; Asa Lok represents the
deleterious qualities of the air, such as tempests and unwholesome
exhalations. In my opinion, the most simple
explanation of this mythe would be as follows: Utgard
Lok typifies physical evils and calamities, and in this respect
he resembles the Siva of the Hindoos; as possessor of subterranean
riches, he resembles the Plutus of the Greeks,
who, as we are told, was related to Pluto. Asa Lok is
the type of moral evil, or the propensity to vice in human
nature, which has been personified by the Orientals, under
the various names of Satan, Ahrimanes, Belial and Eblis.
The punishment inflicted on Asa Lok for his treachery
has been already related. At Ragnarok, he will break his
chain, and join in combat with the giants against the gods.
He and Heimdal will destroy each other.
LOPTUR, a name given to Asa Lok; it means one who
runs through the air.
MALSTROM, name of the famous whirlpool on the coast of
Norway, near Lofoden. Malstrom signifies “millstream.”
It is called by the Skalds the mill of Ægir.
MAANEGARM, name of the mythologic winged goblin,
who constantly pursues the moon (maane), and will
swallow her up at Ragnarok.
MANHEIM (abode of man), a name often given to Midgard,
or the earth.
MEGINGARD (girdle of strength), name of Thor’s belt,
which had the faculty of doubling his force when he
girded himself with it.
MIDGARD, name given to the earth, as being in the middle
region between Asagard and Utgard.
MIMER, an Asa, the god of eloquence and of wisdom; he
sits by the wave of Urda, called the fountain of wisdom,
of which he is the guardian, and which springs near the
ash-tree Yggdrassil. Urda is the destiny of the past, so
that the allegory is clear; by consulting the records of the
past, we gain wisdom and experience.
MIÖLNER (breaker in pieces), name of Thor’s hammer,
type of the thunderbolt.
MOKKURKALF, name of a gigantic figure made of clay,
and animated by the giants, that he might aid them against
Thor. They gave to him the heart of a horse. This may
allude to the custom among many heathen nations of consecrating
an idol of clay, wood or stone, by putting therein
the heart of a man, or of some animal. Mokkurkalf was
slain by Tialf.
MUSPEL, MUSPELHEIM, name given to the region of
fire and heat which lies to the south of Ginnungagap, and
from whence at Ragnarok, Surtur will collect flames,
and set fire to the universe. Flames are often termed by
the Scalds “the children of Muspel.”
NAGLEFARE (ship of nails), name of a bark or vessel
built by the giants. As its name imports, it was built of
men’s nails. On board of this vessel, the giants will embark
at Ragnarok, to give battle to the gods. The giants
are continually at work to increase its size; hence, those
who neglect to cut off the nails from the hands and feet of
dead men, contribute to the building of this vessel, and to
the mischief that will ensue from it. The popular belief
of the continuation of the growth of the hair and nails
after death, has probably contributed to this mythe.
NANNA, an Asynia, the wife of Balder, renowned for her
piety and constancy. At his death she threw herself on his
funeral pile, and was burned with him.
NARF, name of a giant, the father of Night, and also the
name of one of Asa-Lok’s sons by Sigyn.
NASTROND, name of a frightful and noisome marsh in
the subterranean world, filled with venomous serpents,
and destined as a place of punishment in the future life for
those who are absolutely incorrigible.
NIDAROS, a city in Norway of great historical celebrity, the
ancient capital of the kingdom, and now called Trondhjem,
and by the Germans Drontheim.
NIDDING means “scoundrel,” “worthless fellow;” it was
the greatest insult to a Scandinavian to call him a Nidding,
and the offence could only be expiated by the blood of the
offender.
NIDHÖG, name of a frightful dragon that dwells in the
marsh of Nastrond, and who continually gnaws the root
of the Ash-tree Yggdrassil. Etym.: nid (reproach, abuse),
högg (blow), in Icel.
NIFFELHEIM, department of Utgard, region of eternal
cold, fog, darkness and horror, lying to the north of Ginnungagap.
It is sometimes used as a synonyme for Utgard,
or for Helheim. Niffel means “fog.”
NIORD, or NIORDUR, is the Æolus of the Scandinavians,
the god of the winds. He is of Vaner race, and is father
of Frey and Freya. He was admitted among the Asar to
preside over the winds and is the type of the north wind in
particular. He is invoked by fishermen and travellers.
He was afterwards married to Skada, daughter of the
giant Thiasse.—Niord is of a very friendly and benevolent
disposition. See the articles Skada and Vaner.
NORNA, pl. NORNOR, name of the Parcæ, or Fates of
the Scandinavians; they were three in number, viz. Urda,
Norna, or destiny of the past; Verdandis, of the present;
Skulda, of the future. They sit near the Ash Yggdrassil,
the tree of time, where they weave the woof of human
destiny.
ODIN is the Chief Asa, the king of gods and men, the Jupiter
and Mars of the Scandinavian mythology, and the
grand progenitor of the Scandinavian kings. Some think
that this was the name given to the supreme God of nature
by the Asar, previous to the invasion of the north-west
of Europe by the historical Odin, whose real name is said
to be Sigge (conqueror); and that the name of Odin was
assumed by Sigge during his life, or given to him by his
followers after his death. Others think that the real name
of the great conqueror was Odin, and that his name was
given to the supreme unknown God. At all events, the
historical Odin was deified after his death, and being confounded
with the mythologic one, was from that period
worshipped as the supreme ruler of the universe. Odin
has an immense number of appellations, the most remarkable
of which are Alfader, Hœrfader and Valfader.
As god of war he is accompanied by two favourite wolves,
one called Gere (rapacity), and the other Freke (audacity),
to whom he gives his share of food at the banquet of Valhalla;
for according to the Edda, Odin lives on wine alone.
Odin has also two favourite ravens, one called Hugin
(thought), the other Munin (memory), who sit perched on
his shoulders, and whom he sometimes dispatches to bring
him news from the nether world. At Ragnarok, Odin is
to be swallowed up by the wolf Fenris. Odin bears a
lance called Gugner.
ODUR, name of the husband of Freya, whom he abandoned
on the loss of her youth and beauty. He was
changed into a statue by Odin, as a punishment for his
desertion. He was the inventor of the art of making
wine.
OLUF, a king of Denmark, slain by Starkodder, whom he
afterwards meets in Valhalla.
QVASER, name of a chief of Vaner race by his mother;
his father, name unknown, was an Asa. He taught mankind
arts and sciences, but particularly poetry. He was
killed by two dwarfs, who mixed his blood with honey,
and poured it into a golden vase. This drink had the faculty
of inspiring poetical talent. Suttung, the brother
of Qvaser, revenged his death on the two dwarfs, by binding
them to a rock in the mid-ocean, where they suffer
perpetual hunger. He then took the vessel containing the
sacred liquor, and gave it in charge to his daughter Gunliod.
This liquor is called by the Scalds “Suttung’s mead,”
and is used as a synonyme for poetical inspiration. Etym.:
Qvasir, Icelandic word meaning “breath” or “inspiration.”
RAGNAROK, called also “the twilight of the gods,” is the
last day, according to the Scandinavian mythology, the
day, on which the whole creation, gods, giants, and mankind
are to perish in a shower of fire and blood. Ragnarok
will be preceded by a dreadfully severe winter of three
years duration, called the Fimbul-vetr. At Ragnarok the
wolf Fenris will break his chain, and so will Lok. A grand
battle will be fought between the gods and giants on the
plains of Vigrid, wherein the latter will be victorious; but
it will be a fruitless victory, for Surtur, with flames from
Muspelheim, will set fire to the universe, and involve
victors and vanquished in general destruction. Vidar alone
will survive the general conflagration and reconstruct the
universe. The etymology of the word Ragnarok, I conceive
to be the two Icelandic words: ragna (to imprecate,
implore vengeance), and rok (violent tempest). Some
derive it from regin (dynasts or gods), and röckur (twilight).
RAN or RANA, name of a giantess, wife of Ægir the god of
the sea. She is of an extremely malevolent disposition,
and takes pleasure in causing shipwrecks and drowning
sailors. In the pagan time, when seamen found their
ship about to sink, it was their custom to hold a piece of
money in their hand, to propitiate Ran. In fact, Ran personifies
the dangers and destructive properties of the sea;
Ægir the salubrious and beneficial ones. The word Ran
in Icelandic means “rapacity,” and from it comes the
Danish verb rane (to rob).
RATATOSK, name of the mythologic squirrel that resides
on the branches of the Ash Yggdrassil, and employs himself
in running up and down the tree, in order to sow discord
between the Eagle Hrosvelger, who sits on the top,
and the dragon Nidhög, who lies at its root. This will remind
the reader of the fable of Æsop of the eagle, the cat
and the sow.
RINDA, name of a princess of Garderike, seduced by Odin.
ROSKA, name of a peasant’s daughter who, with her brother
Tialfe, was adopted by Thor and accompanied him on his
travels. She was elevated to the rank of an Asynia, and
placed in Folkvang, to dwell with Freya.
RUNES, mean “letters of the alphabet” or writings.
SAGA, an Asynia, the goddess of history; she is represented
with a graver and shield, on which she engraves events
worthy of commemoration.
SÆHRIMNER, name of the mythologic hog, whose flesh furnishes
food for the banquets of Valhalla. It is killed every
morning and resuscitated every night.
SIF, or SIFIA, an Asynia, the wife of Thor, renowned for
the beauty of her hair. Asa-Lok, to revenge himself
on Sif for spurning his addresses, cut off her hair while
she was asleep; but he was compelled by Thor to procure
for her a new head of hair, made of gold by the dwarfs.
Hence gold is often termed by the Scalds Sifs hair.
SIGNE, name of a Danish princess.—See Hagbarth.
SIGYN, the wife of Asa-Lok; she alone does not abandon him in
his adversity; and when he is chained in the subterranean
cavern, with the enormous serpents hanging over him,
she holds out a vase to catch the venom they let drop.
When the vase is filled, she goes out to empty it; the venom
of the serpents then falling on Lok, causes him to
writhe with pain, and this movement causes earthquakes.
SIOFNA, an Asynia, daughter of Freya; she presides over
sleep and sends pleasing dreams. Etym.: Icelandic verb
sofna (to sleep).
SKADA, daughter of the giant Thiasse; she comes to
Valhalla in a fury, to revenge her father’s death, becomes
pacified at the sight of Balder, and having caught Niord
at a game of blindman’s-buff, obtains him for a husband;
but their tempers being very different, she being capricious
and violent, and he placid and benevolent, they soon quarrel.
They cannot agree about their place of residence;
she wishing to dwell in the mountains inland, and he preferring
to dwell on the sea-shore. Niord says:
“I was tired of the mountains,
Though I was not long there;
Only nine nights:
The howling of the wolf
Was disagreeable to me
Accustomed to the chaunt of the swan.”
Skada says:
“I could not sleep
On the banks of the sea,
On account of the screaming of birds;
And the sea-gulls by their cries,
Disturb my repose every morning.”
As Skada means “mischief” in all the Teutonic and
Scandinavian dialects, (to scathe, in English), the allegory
is clear: by her union with Niord she represents the mischievous
qualities of the wind, he the salubrious and beneficent
ones.
SKALDS, or SCALDS; so the poets were called in Scandinavia.
SKIDBLADNER or SKYBLADNER, name of a ship given
to the gods by Gerda, on her marriage with Frey. When not
required for navigation, it could be folded up like a scarf.
It seems to resemble the Sverga, or ship of heaven, of the
Hindoos; and they are both probably types of the clouds,
for sky is “cloud,” and blad a leaf, in the Icelandic tongue.
SKINFAX, name of the steed who draws the chariot of day.
Its meaning is “light-bearer,” the φωσφορος of the Greeks.
SKIRNIR, name of an Asa, messenger of Frey; he is sent
by Frey to negotiate his union with Gerda, and by Odin
to procure a cord to bind the wolf Fenris, both which
commissions he executes successfully. Etym.: Icelandic
verb skirna (to clear up).
SKRYMER, name of a giant who meets Thor on his
journey to Utgard and leads him astray. He mystifies him
also by giving to him a wallet filled with provisions, but
which Thor could not untie. Etym.: Icelandic word
skrum (boasting), from which comes the Swedish verb
skrymma (to look big).
SKULDA, name of the Norna, or destiny of the future.
Etym.: skulu (shall), in Icelandic.
SLEIPNER, name of Odin’s charger. He has eight feet;
he typifies the wind with its eight principal points.
SNOTRA, an Asynia extremely graceful, who inspires mankind
with elegance of gesture and diction. Etym.: Icelandic
verb snotra (to teach manners).
STARKODDER, name of a celebrated Scandinavian warrior.
He slew king Oluf in a perfidious manner, but having
afterwards greatly distinguished himself by a series of
brilliant actions, he seems to have obliterated his crime,
for he was deified after his death. He may be considered
in some measure as the Hercules of the Goths.
SURTUR, name of a formidable giant, who, with flames
collected from Muspelheim, is to set fire to the universe
at Ragnarok. Etym.: surtr (swarthy in colour).
SUTTUNG; Suttung’s mead; see Qvaser.
SVEA, SVITHIOD, names of Sweden.
SYN, name of an Asynia who in this poem figures as the
porteress of Valhalla, but in the Edda she is porteress of
the palace of Freya.
THIASSE, name of a giant, father of Skada. In the shape
of an eagle he carries off Asa-Lok, and compels him to
join in a plot to steal away Iduna from Asagard. When
Iduna is delivered, Thiasse pursues her in the shape of a
griffin, but is burnt to death by falling into the bale fire at
Breidablik.
THOR, an Asa, son of Odin and Frigga, the god of war,
strength, and thunder. He plays a most prominent part
in the Gothic mythology. He is the arch enemy of the
giants, and is constantly employed in punishing crime and
oppression and protecting the weak and virtuous. His
various actions are described in this poem, of which he is
the principal hero. He is the owner of a famous hammer
called Miölner, and of a no less famous belt called Megingard;
he wears steel gauntlets and brazen armour. He
travels usually in a golden car, drawn by two white goats,
Tanngniostr and Tanngrisner; when that car rolls along
the heavens, it causes thunder and lightning. The worship
of Thor seems to be of very remote antiquity; he typifies
probably the occult force of nature, which checks the
blind fury of the elements and brings them back to their
proper limits. There is no mention of Thor as an historical
personage. Odin is thought to have introduced
the worship of Thor into Scandinavia; hence, by mythologic
filiation, he is said to be Thor’s father; or this relationship
may typify supreme force proceeding from supreme
wisdom. Thor defeats and puts to flight the giants;
thus does thunder disperse noxious exhalations and purify
the atmosphere. Thor seems to resemble the Indra of
the Hindoo mythology.
THRYMUR, name of a giant who falls in love with Freya.
Having obtained possession of Thor’s hammer, Miölner,
he offers to restore it on condition of obtaining the hand
of Freya. The gods are unwilling to part with Freya, but
hit on the expedient of sending Thor disguised as Freya,
and Asa-Lok as female attendant, down to Thrymur’s
abode in Jotunheim. As soon as Thor obtains his hammer,
he throws off his female attire, and slays Thrymur
and all his followers.
TIALFE, or Tialf, name of a young peasant adopted by
Thor and admitted among the Asar; he accompanies
Thor as his shield-bearer in all his expeditions. He is
brother of Roska.
TING, or THING; a council is so called in the Scandinavian
peninsula. This word has the exact meaning of the
English word “thing,” “business,” etc., and of the
Latin “negotium.” Storting means “grand council,”
for stor signifies “great” in all the Scandinavian dialects.
TRUDVANG, or TRUDVANGUR, name of the domain of
Thor, in Asagard.
TROLD, in Swedish Troll, means an evil demon or goblin
in the Scandinavian mythology; they were very fantastic
and grotesque in their appearance. The French word
drôle (anglicè droll) is probably derived therefrom, and
was introduced by the Norsemen when they conquered
Neustria.
TROLDKÆMPELAND; the giants’ territory was often so
called. Etym.: trold (goblin), kæmpe (warrior), land
(land).
TYR, an Asa, renowned for his valour, and younger brother
to Thor. His celebrated adventure with the wolf
Fenris, who bites off his hand, is related in the 26th
canto of this poem. Etym.: tyr (brilliant renown).
ULLER, name of an Asa who presides over archery and
duels.
URDA, name of the Norna or destiny of the past. Etym.:
Icelandic word urdu (was).
UTGARD is the name of the territory of the giants. It was
supposed to be to the north of Midgard, and that mountains
of ice formed the barrier between the two regions.
It also signifies the world below, and includes Jotunheim,
Svartalfheim, Niffelheim, and Nastrond. Etym.: ut
signifies exclusion, anglicè out, and the etymology of gard
has been already given as meaning enclosure. Utgard-Lok
is the ruler of Utgard.
UTGARD-LOK, see LOK.
VAFTRUDNER, name of a giant celebrated for his wisdom,
who is consulted by Odin under the name of Gangrôd
(weary wanderer.) Vaftrudner does not, it is true, figure
in this poem, but I introduce him into my catalogue because
I am obliged to quote some passages in a chapter of
the Edda bearing his name, in order to elucidate a passage
of Œhlenschläger. Etym.: vafi (eminent), drutna
(to be proud).
VALA, name of the sibyl or prophetess of the Gothic mythology,
who foretells the destruction of the world.
VALASKIALF, name of the palace of Odin, in Asagard, in
which he holds his court.
VALFADER (father of the choice), name given to Odin
when he presides at the banquets in Valhalla.
VALHALLA (hall of the choice), name of the celebrated
banqueting hall of Odin, in Valaskialf, and theatre of the
convivial festivities of the gods and Einherier.
VALKYRIE, pl. Valkyrior, name of the celestial virgins
who attend the fields of battle in order to carry off to Valhalla
the souls of the heroes who fall. They are mounted
on white horses, with fiery manes and tails. At the banquets
of Valhalla they hand round to the guests the mead
and ale. The word Valkyrie means chooser of the slain,
because they choose from the heaps of slain those who
have shown most courage. Owing to this belief, the word
val, which originally meant “choice,” was applied to a
field of battle; hence the Danish word valplads and the
German wahlplatz, both signifying “field of battle.”
Kyrie comes from the old Teutonic verb küren (to
choose); there is therefore, properly speaking, tautology
in the word Valkyrie, both the words of which it is composed
signifying choice. By the Valkyrior are thought to
be typified those meteoric appearances in the heavens,
which were supposed to forebode wars and tumults.
VANER, VANAHEIM; mythologically the Vaner were
elementary divinities, and Vanaheim was supposed to be
situated in the heavens, above the earth, immediately
above Midgard. Geographically, Vanaheim, according
to Snorro Sturleson, was a country lying immediately eastward
of the Tanais or Don river; but the historical Vaner
are represented as a highly civilized people, from whom
the Asar learnt the arts and sciences and all that embellishes
life. Now I am yet to learn that the inhabitants of
the banks of the Don were ever remarkable for refined
culture; I therefore reject the hypothesis of Snorro Sturleson,
and adopt that of Finn Magnussen, who thinks that
by the historical Vaner are meant the Asiatic Greeks or
the Persians, from whom the Asar or Goths might well
learn the arts of civilization. Niord was a chief of Vaner
race; Niord became father of Frey and Freya by his sister.
Such a matrimonial connection was perfectly lawful
among the ancient Persians, and is so among their descendants,
the Parsis or Guebres, to this day. A learned
friend of mine, a Portuguese by birth, by name Dr. Constancio,
much given to the study of philology and the
Eastern languages, thinks that by the Vaner and the
country inhabited by them, Vanaheim, may be meant the
country bordering on the lake Van or Erivan, in Armenia;
and this seems extremely probable, as the Armenians
were a Persian peuplade, highly civilized, and professing
in days of old the same religion as the Guebres. Mythologically,
Niord and his son and daughter may have been
divinities worshipped in Armenia, Persia, and Asiatic
Greece, and the Asar may have adopted and incorporated
that worship into their own mythology, just as the Romans
and Greeks adopted many of the divinities and religious
ceremonies of the Egyptians. I think I can perceive a
strong resemblance between Frey and Horus, between
Freya and Astarte, and between Niord and Nereus.
VANDHOSE (water-spout), brother of Skada. Etym.: vand
(water) and hose (trowser) in Danish.
VAR, an Asynia, the goddess of truth; she registers the
vows of mankind and punishes perjury.
VARDOE, an island of East Finnmark on the north-eastern
extremity of Norway, in latitude 75° north.
VAULUNDER is the Vulcan of the Gothic mythology. Historically
he was a smith, celebrated for the beauty and
excellence of his workmanship in metals. He forges weapons
and armour for the gods.
VE, name of the third person in the triad of the Scandinavian
mythology, and son of Bor.
VERDANDIS, or Verandis, name of the Norna or destiny of
the present. Etym.: verandi, participle present of the
Icelandic verb vera (to be).
VIDAR, an Asa, god of wisdom and of silence; he wears
thick shoes, hence he is often called by the Scalds, “the
god with the thick shoes.” He never breaks silence, but
his look is so penetrating that he discovers the most secret
thoughts of men. He is to play a most important part at
Ragnarok, and will slay the wolf Fenris. Vidar alone
will survive the general conflagration and reconstruct the
universe on an imperishable basis. Etym.: Icelandic
word vitra (wisdom).
VIL, one of the sons of Bor, and second person of the
Scandinavian triad, Odin, Vil, and Ve. Of this triad
Sneedorf Birch thinks that Odin typifies air or breath;
Vil, light; and Ve, warmth. The death of Ymer, therefore,
by Odin, Vil, and Ve, typifies the annihilation of ice
and snow, and elicitation of the products of the earth by
air, light, and warmth.
VINGOLF, name of a palace in Asgard, considered as the
peculiar place of rendezvous of the Asynior or goddesses.
YGGDRASSIL, name of the mythologic Ash-tree, called
“The tree of the world.” Of this tree it is thus written in
the prosaic Edda: “This ash is the first and greatest of all
trees, which spreads its branches over the whole earth.
It springs from three roots. Near one of these roots, which
pushes the trunk and branches towards Asagard, flows
the fountain of Urda, which contains the water of wisdom,
and of which Mimer is the guardian. The gods often descend
to this spot, to sit in judgment on the actions of
mankind and of one another. They interrogate Urda.
The second root of Yggdrassil stretches towards the region
of the Hrimthusser frost-giants of Utgard. The third root
extends below, as far as Niffelheim, and is continually
gnawed by the dragon Nidhög.” By this, according to
Finn Magnussen, is meant the gradual deterioration of the
world, which will end in its destruction; for the Ash
Yggdrassil is no other than the symbol of our world. May
I be permitted to add my conjecture towards the interpretation
of this mythe: By the first root, which pushes stem
and branches towards Asagard, may be meant the elevation
of our thoughts towards heaven. By the second root,
extending towards the region of the ferocious Hrimthusser,
may be meant the tendency of our minds to fraud, rapine
and violence; and by the third root, gnawed by Nidhög, the
writhings of conscience and of envy: the etymology of the
word Nidhög seems at least to give some weight to my conjecture.
Of this tree it is further written in the prosaic Edda:
“On the branches of this Ash dwells an Eagle: he knoweth
much, and between his eyes sits a Hawk, called Väderfalner.
A squirrel, called Ratatosk, runs up and down
the trunk of the Ash-tree, and endeavours to excite discord
between the Eagle and the Dragon Nidhög, who
dwells at its root. Four stags spring round the Ash-tree,
and bite its branches: their names are Dainn, Dvalen,
Dunneyr, and Durathror.” Among the various interpretations
given of this mythe, the following, given by
Grundtvig, seems to me the most happy.
“Yggdrassil is the genealogical tree of the human race; its
triple root denotes the three sorts of men who are to be
found on earth, viz. Those who cooperate powerfully
for a noble and eternal object (children of the gods);
Those who work powerfully, but for an ignoble and temporal
object (children of giants); and lastly, the idle, useless
and powerless, relations of Hela. The Eagle denotes
the human mind in its greatest elevation; the Squirrel
denotes the tempter or type of temptation, who is in
compact with the Dragon. The Hawk denotes the spirit
of divination or presentiment of the future, which agitates
the human brain; and the four Stags denote the
four passions or desires of power, of honour, of wealth,
and of sensual pleasure.”
YMER, name of the giant, the great progenitor of the giant
race. He was slain by Bor and his sons, as has been already
related; and from his body the world was constructed, according
to the following lines in the poetic Edda in the
chapter called Vaftrudnismal:
From Ymer’s body
The world was created;
The mountains from his bones;
The heavens from the ice-cold giant’s head.
Ymer is evidently the type of the chaos.
As the reader may be curious to know how Ymer propagated
his race, I quote the following question and answer
from the Vaftrudnismal. Odin in disguise interrogates, and
Vaftrudner answers:
Tell me, Vaftrudner!
How did the giant of old (Ymer)
Beget children without a giantess?
Answer:
From the arm of the giant,
According to the tradition,
A boy and girl sprung together;
According to others a six-headed son
Was produced from the feet of the giant.
Finn Magnussen says in his notes to the Vaftrudnismal,
speaking of the Einherier and their amusements: “This
account of the amusements of the heroes in Valhalla seems,
with respect to the ideas of our forefathers about the
games suited to warriors, to correspond perfectly with
Xenophon’s relation of the warlike diversions of the
Thracians, at a great banquet in his time. These are his
words: ‘A large round table was prepared; the guests
sat round it on benches strewed with leaves, and drank
out of large drinking-horns. After they had drank in
honour of the gods, and sung to them hymns of praise, the
most distinguished Thracians rose up, and began to dance
and put on their armour, leaped up and down, and fought
with naked swords. One cut at another, who immediately
fell in such a manner, that we all thought he was slain;
but it was merely a feigned death in a mimicked fight.
Then the Paphlagonians gave a great shout. The conquerors
stripped the conquered of their armour, and
chaunted a hymn in honour of Sitalka; but the other Thracians
bore out the fallen, and stretched them out, as if they
were dead, although no mischief had happened.’”
“After that, other warlike spectacles and dances took
place, in which women, who were real Amazons, took
part. As such games were the delight of the Thracians
on the borders of the Black Sea, who were either closely
related to the Goths or the same people, so were they also
among the customs of our forefathers; at least their ideas
of the glories and delights of Valhalla seem to confirm it.”
I here annex a translation I made of a chorus in the tragedy
of Sigurd Ring, by the Swedish poet Stagnelius, as it
gives a lively picture of the Valkyrior and of their occupations
on the field of battle and in Valhalla.
With respect to the proper names, it may be asked why
there is sometimes a variation in the manner of spelling
them; why, for instance, Frey should sometimes be called
Freyr; Niord, Niordur; Heimdal, Heimdaller; Jormundgard,
Jormundgardur. The explanation thereof must be traced
to the Icelandic language itself. In one of the declensions
many of the masculine nouns, and almost all the proper
names masculine, take er, ur and r as terminations of the
nominative case which are omitted in the other cases; and
the Danish, Swedish and German translators of the Edda
have adopted the names indifferently without assigning any
reason.
