Heiti fall into several groups. One is ancient words used only in poetry. A good example of this group is the word gumi, meaning ‘man’. Although gumi is found in prose compound words, such as the word for bridegroom (brudgumi), as a single word gumi is never found outside poetry. Another example of heiti from this group is the word drasill, meaning horse, as in Yggdrasil (Yggdrasill), meaning Odin’s horse. Many heiti for the gods fall into this group. For example, Hnikar and Fjolnir in the above list of names for Odin are found only in the poetry. Hence they are listed in the Edda for aspiring skalds to learn. Another important group consists of words well known in prose but with different meanings in poetry. An example is the word (brúðr) bride. In prose it refers to a woman who is about to marry, but in poetic diction brúðr had the broader meaning of ‘woman’.
NOTE
1. My thanks to Russell Poole for translating this stanza.
Appendix 3 Eddic Poems Used as Sources in Gylfaginning
The mythic stories in Gylfaginning rely to a large degree on eddic poetry. Some of these poems are now lost. For example, Gylfaginning, chapter 27, mentions Heimdall’s Chant (Heimdalargaldr), but this eddic poem no longer exists. Many eddic poems, however, survive in the Poetic Edda. Below is a list of the mythological eddic poems cited in Gylfaginning which are found in the Poetic Edda.
The Lay of Fafnir (Fáfnismál)
The Lay of Grimnir (Grímnismál)
The Lay of Hyndla (Hyndluljóð)
The Lay of Skirnir (Skírnismál)
The Lay of Vafthrudnir (Vafprúðnismál)
Loki’s Flyting (Lokasenna)
The Sayings of the High One(Hávamál)
The Shorter Sibyl’s Prophecy (Völuspá in skamma)
The Sibyl’s Prophecy (Völuspá)
At times, stanzas found in the Poetic Edda vary from their counterparts in the Prose Edda. This suggests that the author of the Edda may have known the eddic poems orally or in a different written form. In some instances the differences of wording between lines found in the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda can be significant, as is often the case with The Sibyl’s Prophecy. In the Poetic Edda the third stanza of The Sibyl’s Prophecy opens with the line: ‘Early of ages, when Ymir dwelled’. Yet the stanza in the Prose Edda mentions only a void and not the giant Ymir: ‘Early of ages, when nothing was’. This difference in wording changes the picture of the creation. So also the Edda and the Poetic Edda sometimes employ different terms. The Edda calls the final battle at the end of the world by the singular word Ragnarøkr, meaning ‘Twilight of the Gods’ or ‘Darkness of the Gods’. With the exception of Loki’s Flyting, eddic poems employ a different word, Ragnarök, meaning ‘End of the Gods’ or ‘Doom of the Gods’.
Genealogical Tables
Ymir and the Sons of Bor
Dwarves and giants developed from the body of the primordial giant, Ymir (also called Aurgelmir by the frost giants). The dwarves grew in Ymir’s flesh. The frost giants were created from Ymir’s sweat ‘under his left arm’ while one of his legs ‘got a son with the other’. These first generations of giants drowned in Ymir’s blood when the sons of Bor killed him. The only survivors were Bergelmir and his wife. From them came a second family of frost giants.
Odin’s Consorts and Offspring
1 Frigg is not explicitly named the mother of Baldr, but in the Poetic Edda this mother–son relationship is clear. Vidar and Hermod are also sons of Odin, but Gylfaginning does not name or allude to their mothers.
2 Earth is said to be both a wife and daughter of Odin, as well as the mother of Thor.
3 Modi’s mother is not given, but Modi and Magni are often mentioned together.
4 Ull is said to be Thor’s stepson.
The Vanir and Njord’s Marriages
Both Njord and his son Frey marry daughters of giants. (Italics denote giants.)
The Families of Loki
The Three Marriages of Night
Night first marries Naglfari and then Annar. Finally she marries Delling from the family of the gods.
The Family of Sun and Moon, and Vidfinn’s Children
The gods placed the brother and sister Moon and Sun in the heavens.
Vidfinn’s children, Bil and Hjuki, follow Moon across the sky.
The Practitioners of Magic
Glossary of Names
This glossary, which also serves as an index, lists the names of individuals (divine, otherworldly and human), groups, places, animals and objects. Entries are alphabetized in anglicized form, followed by the Old Icelandic within parentheses. Where meanings of names are given, they reflect the understanding of the thirteenth century. The citation numbers for The Deluding of Gylfi (Gylfaginning) refer to chapters. Items from Skaldskaparmal are preceded by the letter ‘S’, followed by the number of the story, hence ‘SI’ cites Skaldskaparmal, the first story. References to the Prologue are marked by the letter ‘P’, followed by the number of the section within the Prologue.
Adam (Adam): PI, is created by God
Adils (Aðils), legendary king of Sweden: S9
Ægir or Hler (Ægir or Hlér): S1, visits the Æsir in Asgard; S2; S3; S4; S6, Gold called fire of Ægir, the gods visit him, wife Ran, nine daughters
Ægis-Helm (Œgishjaálmr; Helm of Dread): S7
Æsir (Æsir; the gods, sing. áss): I, Gefjun is from the family of Æsir; 2, Gylfi encounters three of their chieftains; 9, live in Old Asgard; 15, one of Yggdrasil’s roots is among them, a list of their horses; 20, twelve are of divine nature; 21; 22; 23; 25; 27; 28; 33; 34, bind Fenrir; 41; 42, make a deal with the master builder; 43; 45, meet Skrymir; 46, put to tests by Utgarda-Loki; 49, the killing of Baldr; 50, the chaining of Loki; 51, fight the monsters at Ragnarok; 53; 55, give themselves names after hearing Gylfi’s tale; S1, entertain Ægir, the killing of Thjazi; S2, make Kvasir, acquire the mead of poetry; S3; S5, judge the treasures brought by Loki; S7, pay the Otter’s ransom; P5, Gylfi goes to meet them
Africa (Affrica): P2
Ai (á i), dwarf: 14
Alf (álfr), dwarf: 14
Alfheim (álfheimr; Elf World, World of the Elves), World of the Light Elves: 17
Alfrodul (álfröðul; Elf Beam), a name for the sun: 53, in a verse
Ali (áli), legendary king of Norway: S9
Ali (áli). See Vali
All-Father (Alföðr): 3, one of the twelve names of Odin, description of; 9, sees everything; 10; 14; 15, pledges his eye to Mimir; 17; 20; 34, deals with Loki’s children; 35; 39. See Odin
Alsvinn (Alsviðr; All Swift), one of Sun’s horses: 11
Althjolf (Alpjólfr, Alpjófr), dwarf: 14
Amsvartnir (ámsvartnir; Pitch Black), lake to which Fenrir is taken: 34
Andhrimnir (Andhrímnir), cook in Valhalla: 38
Andlang (Andlangr; Long and Wide), one of three heavens: 17
Andvaranaut (Andvaranautr). See Andvari’s Gift
Andvari (Andvari; Careful One), dwarf: 14; S7, Odin sends Loki to the dwarf Andvari
Andvari’s Gift (Andvaranautr), magical gold ring which Loki took from Andvari: S7
Angrboda (Angrboða; Sorrow Bringer), ogress/giantess: 34, her children by Loki. See Old One
Annar (Annarr; Second, Other), Night’s second husband, Earth’s father: 10; P3
Arvak (árvakr; Early Riser), one of Sun’s horses: 11
Asa-Thor (ásapórr; Thor of the Æsir). See Thor
Asbru (ásbrú; Bridge of the Æsir): 15. See Bifrost
Asgard (ásgardr; Realm of the Æsir): 2, Gylfi, king of Sweden, journeys there; 9, is built by the sons of Bor; 14, description of the twelve seats; 49; 53, with reference to the place where Asgard was earlier; S1, is visited by Ægir; S2; S3; S5; S6. See Asgard, the Old
Asgard, the Old (ásgarðr inn forni): 3, in Asgard the Old, Odin has twelve names; 9, stronghold in the middle of the world built by the sons of Bor, called a name for Troy. See Asgard
Ash, the or the Ash Tree (Askrinn). See Yggdrasil
Asia (Asia), one of t
he three parts of the world, Æsir were called men of Asia (Asiamenn): P2; P5
Ask (Askr; Ash Tree), first man: 9, formed out of a log by the sons of Bor
Aslaug (áslaug), Sigurd’s daughter: S7
Athra (Athra), a name for Annar, son of Bedvig: P3
Atli Buðlason (Atli Budlason), Attila the Hun, Brynhild’s brother, Gudrun’s second husband: S7
Atrid (Atríðr), name of Odin: 20
Aud (Auðr; Wealth, Rich One), one of Night’s sons: 10, son of Naglfari
Audhumla (Auðhumla), primeval cow: 6, licks Buri out of a block of ice
Augustus, Emperor (Augustus keisari): S8
Aurboda (Aurboða), giantess, Gymir’s wife, Gerd’s mother: 37
Aurgelmir (Aurgelmir; Mud Bellower), the name given to Ymir by the frost giants: 5
Aurvandil the Bold (Aurvandill inn frækni), the husband of the Sibyl Groa, his toe becomes a star: S3
Aurvandil’s Toe (Aurvandilstá), star or planet: S3
Aurvangar (Aurvangar; Mudfields): 14
Austri (Austri). See East
Awl (Alr; Awl), brother of the dwarf Brokk, S5
Bafur (Báfurr), dwarf: 14
Baldr (Baldr; see note 1, chapter 22), Odin’s son: 15, his horse is burned with him; 22, a description of; 32; 49, his death; 50; 53, will come from Hel after Ragnarok; S1;P4
Baleyg (Báleygr; Flame Eyed), name of Odin: 20
Barey (Barey or Barrey), place where Frey marries Gerd: 37, note 1
Battle Boar (Hildigöltr), helmet: S9
Battle Pig (Hildisvín), helmet: S9
Baugi (Baugi), brother of Suttung: S2
Bedvig (Beðvig), son of Seskef: P3
Beigud (Beiguðr), one of Hrolf Kraki’s berserkers: S9
Beldegg (Beldegg), name for Baldr, Odin’s son that ruled over Westphalia: P4
Beli (Beli; Bellower), giant: 37, killed by Frey; 51, in a verse
Belt of Strength (Megingjörð or Megingjarðar), belts in the possession of Thor and Grid: 21; 45;S4
Bergelmir (Bergelmir), a frost giant: 7, survives the flood after Ymir is slain by the sons of Bor, the tribe of frost giants is formed from him
Bestla (Bestla), Odin’s mother, giantess: 6
Biaf (Biaf), a name for Bjar, son of Skjaldun: P3
Bifliði or Biflindi (Bifliði or Biflindi; Spear Shaker, or Shield Shaker, or One with a Painted Shield/Spear?): 3, one of the twelve names of Odin
Bifrost (Bifröst; Trembling or Quivering Way, Multicoloured Way), bridge to Asgard: 13, is built by the gods, will break; 15, the gods ride over it daily on their way to their court of justice; 27, Heimdall lives beside it; 41, in a verse; 51, will break at Ragnarok
Bifur (Bifurr), dwarf: 14
Bikki (Bikki), Jormunrek’s adviser: S7
Bil (Bil), Moon’s follower: 11, taken along with Hjuki by Mani; 35, counted among the goddesses
Bileyg (Bileygr; One Whose Eye Fails, One Eyed?), name of Odin: 20
Bilskirnir (Bilskirnir), Thor’s hall: 21
Blain (Bláinn; Dark One), possibly a name for Ymir: 14, in a verse
Blikjandabol (Blíkjandaböl; Gleaming Disaster), Hel’s bed curtains: 34
Blindi (Blindi; Blind One), name of Odin: 20
Bodn (Boðn), one of the vats holding the mead of poetry: S2
Bodvar Bjarki (Böðvarr Bjarki), bjarki means Little Bear, Hrolf Kraki’s warrior: S9
Boll (Böll or Höll), a river: 39
Bolthorn (Bölporn; Thorn of Bad Luck), father of Bestla, giant: 6
Bolverk (Bölverkr): 20, name of Odin; S2, offers to work for Baugi for a drink of Suttung’s mead
Bombor (Bömbörr), dwarf: 14
Bor (Borr), Buri’s son, Odin’s father: 6; 7, Bor’s sons kill Ymir, drowning the frost giants; 8, his sons create the world out of Ymir’s body; 9, his sons create man
Bragi (Bragi), god of poetry: 26, a description of; 41, in a verse; S1; S2;S3;S4;S6, visits Ægir
Bragi the Old (Bragi inn gamli), poet: 1, a verse from him; S0, composed a poem on Ragnar Lodbrok
Brand (Brandr), son of Beldegg: P4
Breidablik (Breiðablik; Gleaming Far and Wide), Baldr’s home: 17; 22
Brimir (Brimir), a hall in heaven: 52, after Ragnarok, a hall with plenty of good drink
Brisingamen (Brísingamen; Necklace of the Brisings): 35, owned by Freyja
Brokk (Brokkr), dwarf, brother of the smith Eitri: S5
Brynhild (Brynhildr): S7, called Hild and is a valkyrie, marries Gunnar, has Sigurd killed and commits suicide
Budli (Buðli), father of Atli and Brynhild: S7
Buri (Búri), Odin’s grandfather, primogenitor: 6, licked out of ice by Audhumla
Byleist (Býleistr), Loki’s brother: 33; 51, in a verse
Byrgir (Byrgir; Hider of Something), well: 11
Christ (Kristr): S8
Dain (Dáinn), dwarf: 14
Dain (Dáinn), stag feeding in the branches of Yggdrasil: 16
Dain’s Legacy (Dáinsleif), sword made by the dwarves: S10
Dark Elves (Dökkálfar and Svartálfar): 17, description of; 34, Skirnir goes to the World of the Dark Elves; S5, Loki promises to get the dark elves to make gold hair for Sif; S7, Loki travels to the World of the Dark Elves. See Elves
Day (Dagr), son of Night and Delling: 10, rides the sky in a chariot drawn by the horse Skinfaxi
Delling (Dellingr; Shining One), Day’s father: 10, Night’s third husband
Denmark (Danmörk): 1, in a verse; S8;S9;P5, is ruled by the Skjoldungs, the language of the men of Asia is brought to Denmark
Dolgthvari (Dólgpvari), dwarf: 14
Dori (Dóri), dwarf: 14
Drapa of Ragnar Lodbrok (Ragnars drápa lodbrókar): S10
Draupnir (Draupnir), dwarf: 14
Draupnir (Draupnir; Dripper), a magical ring: 49, is laid by Odin on Baldr’s funeral pyre and brought back from Hel by Hermod; S5, forged
Dromi (Drómi), fetter: 34
Duf (Dúfr), dwarf: 14
Duneyr (Duneyrr), stag feeding in the branches of Yggdrasil: 16
Durathror (Duraprór), stag feeding in the branches of Yggdrasil: 16
Durin (Durinn; Doorkeeper? Drowsy?), dwarf: 14
Dvalin (Dvalinn), dwarf: 14; 15, daughters of
Dvalin (Dvalinn), stag feeding in the branches of Yggdrasil: 16
Dwarves (Dvergar, plural, Dvergr, sing.): 14, their origins and names; 15, some norns descended from them; 34, make Gleipnir; 35, said to have made the necklace of the Brisings; 43, makers of Skidbladnir; 51, in a verse concerning Ragnarok; S2, make the mead of poetry; S5, make treasures for the gods; S7, Loki takes a ring from the dwarf Andvari; S0, dwarves said to have made Dain’s Legacy. See Dark Elves
Earth (Jörð), mother of Thor: 9, daughter and wife of Odin; 10, daughter of Night and Annar; 36; 51, in a verse
East (Austri), dwarf: 8, holding up a corner of the sky formed out of Ymir’s skull; 14
Ector (Ector), Hector or Thor at Troy: 55
Eikinskjaldi (Eikinskjaldi; Oaken Shield), dwarf: 14
Eikthyrnir (Eikpyrnir; Oak Antlers), stag from whose horns moisture drips down to Hvergelmir: 39
Einherjar (Einherjar; Those Who Fight Alone, Good Warrior?), Odin’s warriors in Valhalla: 20; 36, in a verse; 38, with reference to their feeding in Valhalla; 39, on their drinking in Valhalla; 40, number that can pass through the doors of Valhalla; 41, with reference to their amusements in Valhalla; 51, at Ragnarok will fight on the side of the Æsir; 52
Einriði (Einridi), son of Loridi: P3
Eir (Eir; Merciful?), goddess: 35
Eitri (Eitri; Venomous), smith among the dwarves: S5
Ekin (Ekin or Eikin; Raging), river flowing from Hvergelmir: 39
Eldhrimnir (Eldhrímnir), kettle used to feed Odin’s champions in Valhalla: 38
Eldir (Eldir), slave of Ægir: S6.
Elivagar (Élivágar; Storm Waves), the rivers flowing from Hvergelmir: 5, in a verse; S3
Eljudnir (Eljúðnir or É
ljúðnir; Sprayed with Snowstorms, Damp with Sleet or Rain), Hel’s hall: 34
Elli (Elli; Old Age), Utgarda-Loki’s foster mother: 46, her wrestling contest with Thor; 47, her identity is revealed to Thor
Elves (álfar, plural, álfr, sing.; Light Elves [Ljósálfar], Dark Elves [Dökkálfar and Svartálfar]): 15, some norns descended from them; 17, difference between dark and light elves; 34, Skirnir goes to the World of the Dark Elves; 51, in a verse concerning Ragnarok; S5, Loki promises to get the dark elves to make gold hair for Sif and the dwarves make treasures for the gods; S7, Loki travels to the World of the Dark Elves
Embla (Embla; Vine or some kind of tree), first woman: 9, is formed out of a log by the sons of Bor
England (England): P5, its ancient place names are derived from a different language
Ermanaric or Ermenrichus. See Jormunrek
Erp (Erpr), son of Gudrun and Jonak, brother of Hamdir and Sorli: S7
Europe or Enea (Evropa or Enea), one of the three parts of the world: P2
Eve (Eva): P1
Eylimi (Eylimi), father of Hjordis, Sigurd Fafnisbani’s grandfather: S7
Fafnir (Fáfnir), shape-shifter, dragon who sits on the treasure: S7, is killed by Sigurd
Fal (Falr), dwarf: 14
Falhofnir (Falhófnir; Yellow Hoofed or Hairy Hoofed), horse: 15
Falling to Peril (Fallandaforað; Falling to Peril, Pitfall), Hel’s threshold or doorstep: 34
Famine (Sultr; Famine, Hunger), Hel’s knife: 34
Farbauti (Fárbauti; Peril Striker), Loki’s father, a giant: 33
Farma-God (Farmaguð; God of Cargoes), name of Odin: 20
Farmatyr (Farmatýr; God of Cargoes), name of Odin: 20
Father of Armies (Herjaföðr; also Father of Men), name of Odin: 38, in a verse
Father of the Slain (Valföðr), name of Odin: 15, in a verse; 20
Fenja (Fenja), slave woman, probably a giantess: S8
Fenrir or Fenriswolf (Fenrir [Bog Dweller] or Fenrisúlfr), wolf, fathered by Loki: 12, in a verse; 25; 34, his binding by the gods; 38; 51, his getting loose at Ragnarok, called Freki, Hvedrung’s son; 53
The Prose Edda Page 16
