Odin (
pron.: /ˈoʊdɨn/; from Old Norse
Óðinn) is the major god and the ruler of Asgard.
Odin is a son of Bor and Bestla. He is called Alfadir, Allfather, for he is indeed father of the gods. With Frigg he is the father of Balder, Hod, and Hermod. He fathered Thor on the goddess Jord; and the giantess Grid became the mother of Vidar.
He is Homologous with the Old English "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wôdan",
the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "
*Wodanaz" or "
*Wōđanaz".
"Odin" is generally accepted as the modern English form of the name,
although, in some cases, older forms may be used or preferred. His name
is related to
ōðr,
meaning "fury, excitation," besides "mind," or "poetry." His role, like
that of many of the Norse gods, is complex. Odin is a principal member
of the Æsir (the major group of the Norse pantheon) and is associated with war, battle, victory and death, but also wisdom, Shamanism, magic, poetry, prophecy, and the hunt. Odin has many sons, the most famous of whom is Thor.
As Odin is closely connected with a horse called Sleipnir, a spear called Gungnir,
the ring Draupnir, from which every ninth night eight new rings appear, and transformation/shape shifting into animal shapes. He is accompanied by the wolves Freki and Geri, to whom he gives his
food for he himself consumes nothing but wine. Odin has only one eye,
which blazes like the sun. His other eye he traded for a drink from the
Well of Wisdom, and gained immense knowledge. On the day of the final
battle, Odin will be killed by the wolf Fenrir.
Poetic Edda
Völuspá
In the poem
Völuspá, a völva
tells Odin of numerous events reaching far into the past and future,
including his own doom. The Völva describes creation, recounts the birth
of Odin by his father Borr and his mother Bestla and how Odin and his brothers formed Midgard from the sea. She further describes the creation of the first human beings - Ask and Embla - by Hœnir, Lóðurr and Odin.
Amongst various other events, the Völva mentions Odin's involvement in the Æsir-Vanir War, the oedipism of Odin's eye at Mímir's Well, the death of his son Baldr. She describes how Odin is slain by the wolf Fenrir at Ragnarök, the subsequent avenging of Odin and death of Fenrir by his son Víðarr,
how the world disappears into flames and, yet, how the earth again
rises from the sea. She then relates how the surviving Æsir remember the
deeds of Odin.
Lokasenna
In the poem
Lokasenna, the conversation of Odin and Loki started with Odin trying to defend Gefjun and ended with his wife, Frigg, defending him. In
Lokasenna, Loki derides Odin for practicing seid (witchcraft), implying it was women's work. Another example of this may be found in the
Ynglinga saga where Snorri opines that men who used seid were
ergi or
unmanly.
Hávamál
In
Rúnatal, a section of the
Hávamál,
Odin is attributed with discovering the runes. In a sacrifice to
himself, the highest of the gods, he was hanged from the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days and nights,
pierced by his own spear, in order to learn the wisdom that would give
him power in the nine worlds. Nine is a significant number in Norse
magical practice (there were, for example, nine realms of existence), thereby learning nine (later eighteen) magical songs and eighteen magical runes.
One of Odin's names is
Ygg, and the Norse name for the World Ash —Yggdrasil—therefore could mean "Ygg's (Odin's) horse." Another of Odin's names is
Hangatýr, the god of the hanged.
Hárbarðsljóð
In
Hárbarðsljóð, Odin, disguised as the ferryman Hárbarðr,
engages his son Thor, unaware of the disguise, in a long argument. Thor
is attempting to get around a large lake and Hárbarðr refuses to ferry
him.
Prose Edda
Odin had three residences in Asgard. First was Gladsheim,
a vast hall where he presided over the twelve Diar or Judges, whom he
had appointed to regulate the affairs of Asgard. Second, Valaskjálf, built of solid silver, in which there was an elevated place, Hlidskjalf, from his throne on which he could perceive all that passed throughout the whole earth. Third was Valhalla (the hall of the fallen), where Odin received the souls of the warriors killed in battle, called the Einherjar. The souls of women warriors, and those strong and beautiful women whom Odin favored, became Valkyries, who gather the souls of warriors fallen in battle (the Einherjar), as these would be needed to fight for him in the battle of Ragnarök. They took the souls of the warriors to Valhalla. Valhalla has five hundred and forty gates, and a vast hall of gold, hung around with golden shields, and spears and coats of mail.
Odin has a number of magical artifacts associated with him: the spear Gungnir, which never misses its target; a magical gold ring (Draupnir), from which every ninth night eight new rings appear; and two ravens Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory), who fly around Earth daily and report the happenings of the world to Odin in Valhalla at night. He also owned Sleipnir, an octopedal horse, who was given to Odin by Loki, and the severed head of Mímir, which foretold the future. He also commands a pair of wolves named Geri and Freki, to whom he gives his food in Valhalla since he consumes nothing but mead or wine. From his throne, Hlidskjalf (located in Valaskjalf), Odin could see everything that occurred in the universe. The Valknut (slain warrior's knot) is a symbol associated with Odin. It consists of three interlaced triangles.
Odin is an ambivalent deity. Old Norse (Viking Age)
connotations of Odin lie with "poetry, inspiration" as well as with
"fury, madness and the wanderer." Odin sacrificed his eye (which eye he
sacrificed is unclear) at Mímir's spring in order to gain the Wisdom of Ages. Odin gives to worthy poets the mead of inspiration, made by the dwarfs, from the vessel
Óð-rœrir.
Odin is associated with the concept of the Wild Hunt, a noisy, bellowing movement across the sky, leading a host of slain warriors.
Consistent with this, Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda depicts Odin as welcoming the great, dead warriors who have died in battle into his hall, Valhalla, which, when literally interpreted, signifies the hall of the slain. The fallen, the
einherjar,
are assembled and entertained by Odin in order that they in return
might fight for, and support, the gods in the final battle of the end of
Earth, Ragnarök. Snorri also wrote that Freyja receives half of the fallen in her hall Folkvang.
He is also a god of war, appearing throughout Norse myth as the bringer of victory.
In the Norse sagas, Odin sometimes acts as the instigator of wars, and is said to have been able to start wars by simply throwing down his spear Gungnir, and/or sending his valkyries, to influence the battle toward the end that he desires. The Valkyries
are Odin's beautiful battle maidens that went out to the fields of war
to select and collect the worthy men who died in battle to come and sit
at
Odin's table in Valhalla, feasting and battling until they had to fight in the final battle, Ragnarök. Odin would also appear on the battle-field, sitting upon his eight-legged horse Sleipnir, with his two ravens, one on each shoulder, Hugin (Thought) and Munin (Memory), and two wolves (Geri and Freki) on each side of him.
Odin is also associated with trickery, cunning,
and deception. Most sagas have tales of Odin using his cunning to
overcome adversaries and achieve his goals, such as swindling the blood
of Kvasir from the dwarves.
Gylfaginning
According to the Prose Edda, Odin, the first and most powerful of the Æsir, was a son of Bestla and Borr and brother of Vili and Vé. With these brothers, he cast down the frost giant Ymir and made Earth from Ymir's body. The three brothers are often mentioned together. "Vili" is the German word for "will" (English), "Vé" is the German word (Gothic
wai) for woe but is more likely related to the archaic German "Wei" meaning 'sacred.'
Odin has fathered numerous children. With his wife, Frigg, he fathered his doomed son Baldr and the blind god Höðr. By the personification of earth, Fjörgyn or Jörð, Odin was the father of his most famous son, Thor. By the giantess Gríðr, Odin was the father of Vídar, and by Rinda he was father of Váli. Also, many royal families claimed descent from Odin through other sons. For traditions about Odin's offspring, see
Sons of Odin.
Odin and his brothers, Vili and Ve, are attributed with slaying Ymir, the Ancient Giant, to form Midgard. From Ymir's flesh, the brothers made the earth, and from his shattered bones and teeth they made the rocks and stones. From Ymir's blood, they made the rivers and lakes. Ymir's skull was made into the sky, secured at four points by four dwarfs named East, West, North, and South. From Ymir's brains, the three Gods shaped the clouds,
whereas Ymir's eyebrows became a barrier between Jotunheim (giant's
home) and Midgard, the place where men now dwell. Odin and his brothers
are also attributed with making humans.
After having made earth from Ymir's flesh, the three brothers came across two logs (or an ash and an elm tree). Odin gave them breath and life; Vili gave them brains and feelings; and Ve gave them hearing and sight. The first man was Ask and the first woman was Embla.
Odin was said to have learned the mysteries of seid from the Vanic goddess and völva Freyja, despite the unwarriorly connotations of using magic.
Skáldskaparmál
In section 2 of
Skáldskaparmál, Odin's quest for wisdom can also be seen in his work as a farmhand for a summer, for Baugi, and his seduction of Gunnlod in order to obtain the Mead of Poetry.
In section 5 of
Skáldskaparmál, the origins of some of Odin's possessions are described.
Sagas of Icelanders
Ynglinga saga
According to the
Ynglinga saga:
Odin had two brothers, the one called Ve, the other Vili, and they
governed the kingdom when he was absent. It happened once when Odin had
gone to a great distance, and had been so long away that the people of
Asa doubted if he would ever return home, that his two brothers took it
upon themselves to divide his estate; but both of them took his wife
Frigg to themselves. Odin soon after returned home, and took his wife
back.
Further, in
Ynglinga saga, Odin is described as venturing to Mímir's Well, near Jötunheimr,
the land of the giants; not as Odin, but as Vegtam the Wanderer,
clothed in a dark blue cloak and carrying a traveler's staff. To drink
from the Well of Wisdom, Odin had to sacrifice his eye (which eye he
sacrificed is unclear), symbolizing his willingness to gain the
knowledge of the past, present and future. As he drank, he saw all the
sorrows and troubles that would fall upon men and the gods. He also saw
why the sorrow and troubles had to come to men.
Mímir accepted Odin's eye and it sits today at the bottom of the Well
of Wisdom as a sign that the father of the gods had paid the price for
wisdom.
Blót
Main article: Blót
It is attested in primary sources that sacrifices were made to Odin during blóts. Adam of Bremen relates that every ninth year, people assembled from all over Sweden to sacrifice at the Temple at Uppsala. Male slaves and males of each species were sacrificed and hung from the branches of the trees.
As the Swedes had the right not only to elect their king but also to depose him, the sagas relate that both King Domalde and King Olof Trätälja were sacrificed to Odin after years of famine.
It has been argued that the killing of a combatant in battle was to
give a sacrificial offering to Odin. The fickleness of Odin in war was
well documented; in
Lokasenna, Loki taunts Odin for his inconsistency.
Sometimes sacrifices were made to Odin to bring about changes in circumstance. A notable example is the sacrifice of King Víkar that is detailed in Gautrek's Saga and in Saxo Grammaticus'
account of the same event. Sailors in a fleet being blown off course
drew lots to sacrifice to Odin that he might abate the winds. The king
himself drew the lot and was hanged.
Sacrifices were probably also made to Odin at the beginning of summer
(mid April, actually—summer being reckoned essentially the same as did
the Celt, at Beltene, Calan Mai [Welsh], which is Mayday—hence as
summer's "herald"), since Ynglinga saga states one of the great festivals of the calendar is
at sumri, þat var sigrblót
"in summer, for victory;" Odin is consistently referred to throughout
the Norse mythos as the bringer of victory. The Ynglinga saga also
details the sacrifices made by the Swedish king Aun,
to whom it was revealed that he would lengthen his life by sacrificing
one of his sons every ten years; nine of his ten sons died this way.
When he was about to sacrifice his last son Egil, the Swedes stopped him.
Persisting beliefs and folklore
Odin continued to hunt in Swedish folklore.
The Christianization of Scandinavia
was slow, and it worked its way downwards from the nobility. Among
commoners, beliefs in Odin lingered and legends would be told until
modern times.
The last battle where Scandinavians attributed a victory to Odin was the Battle of Lena in 1208.
The former Swedish king Sverker had arrived with a large Danish army, and the Swedes led by their new king Eric
were outnumbered. It is said that Odin then appeared riding on Sleipnir
and he positioned himself in front of the Swedish battle formation. He
led the Swedish charge and gave them victory.
The
Bagler sagas,
written in the 13th century concerning events in the first two decades
of the 13th century, tells a story of a one-eyed rider with a
broad-brimmed hat and a blue coat who asks a smith to shoe his horse.
The suspicious smith asks where the stranger stayed during the previous
night. The stranger mentions places so distant that the smith does not
believe him. The stranger says that he has stayed for a long time in the
north and taken part in many battles, but now he is going to Sweden.
When the horse is shod, the rider mounts his horse and says "I am Odin"
to the stunned smith, and rides away. The next day, the battle of Lena
took place. The context of this tale in the saga is that a peace-treaty
has been signed in Norway, and Odin, a god of war, no longer has a place
there.
Scandinavian folklore also maintained a belief in Odin as the leader of the Wild Hunt. His main objective seems to have been to track down and kill a lady who could be the forest dweller
huldran or
skogsrået. In these accounts, Odin was typically a lone hunter, save for his two dogs.
In late 19th century Danish folklore, an account of Odin as having hid in a cliff of Møen (modern Møn, Denmark) where his residence there is "still pointed out." At this time, he was referred to as the "
Jætte (giant) from Uppsala" but "is now called Jön Upsal" and from this latter name comes the expression "
Men jötten dog!"
as opposed to the expression "Men Jös dog!" ("By Jesus!"). Outside his
doorway a green spot is described on the otherwise white cliff; this is
where he "goes out on behalf of nature". A man who "now lives in
Copenhagen" is described as having once sailed along the cliff, having
seen Jön toss out his "dirt" - a big cloud of dust was to be seen
outside of his door. Several "still living people" have lost their way
in Klinteskoven ("The Cliff Forest") and ended up in Jön Upsal's garden,
that is said to be so big and wonderful that it is beyond any
description. The garden is also in full bloom in midwinter. If one sets
out to find this garden, it is impossible to find
.
Names
Odin was referred to by more than 200 names which hint at his various
roles. Among others, he was known as Yggr (terror), Sigfodr (father of
Victory) and Alfodr (All Father)
in the skaldic and Eddic traditions of heiti and kennings, a poetic method of indirect reference, as in a riddle.
Some epithets establish Odin as a father god:
Alföðr "all-father," "father of all;" Aldaföðr "father of men (or of
the age);" Herjaföðr "father of hosts;" Sigföðr "father of victory;"
Valföðr "father of the slain."
| Aldaföðr |
|
father of men (or of the age/world) |
Óðins nöfn, Vafþrúðnismál
|
| Aldagautr |
|
Gautr of men (or of the age/world) |
Baldrs draumar |
| Alföðr |
Alfodr |
Allfather, Father of All |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (48), Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Algingautr |
|
The aged Gautr |
The Icelandic rune poem (4) |
| Angan Friggjar |
|
Delight of Frigg |
Völuspá (54) |
| Arnhöfði |
|
Eagle Head |
Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Atriðr, Atriði |
|
attacking rider, 'At-Rider' |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (48), Óðins nöfn (1) |
| Asagrim (< *Ásagrimmr) |
|
Lord of the Aesir |
Stolt Herr Alf |
| Auðun |
|
friend of wealth (Edwin, Audoin) |
Óðins nöfn (1) |
| Bági ulfs |
|
Enemy of the Wolf |
Sonatorrek (23) |
| Baldrsfaðr |
|
Balder's Father |
|
| Báleygr |
Baleyg |
Flaming Eye, Shifty Eyed |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (47), Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld's Hákonardrápa (6), Gísl Illugason's Erfikvæði um Magnús berfœtt (1), þulur, Óðins nöfn (6), Grettisrímur V (61) |
| Biflindi |
/ |
Spear Shaker, Shield Shaker |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Bileygr |
Bileyg |
Flashing Eye or Wavering Eye |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), þulur, Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Blindi, Blindr |
/ |
Blind |
Gylfaginning, Helgakviða Hundingsbana II (prose) |
| Brúni, Brúnn |
|
Brown, Bear |
Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Böðgæðir |
|
Battle Enhancer |
|
| Bölverkr |
|
'Bale-Worker' or Evil Worker or Evil Deed |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Hávamál (109), Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Bragi |
|
Chieftain |
|
| Bróðir Vilis, Bróðir Vilja |
|
Vili's Brother |
|
| Burr Bors |
|
Borr's Son |
|
| Byrlindi |
|
Distorted version of Biflindi |
Sturlaugsrímur III (50) |
| Darraðr, Dorruðr |
|
Spearman |
|
| Draugadróttinn |
|
Lord of the undead |
Ynglinga saga |
| Dresvarpr |
|
|
Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Ein sköpuðr galdra |
|
Sole Creator of Magical Songs |
|
| Ennibrattr |
|
High (lit., 'straight') forehead |
Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Eylúðr |
|
The ever booming |
Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Faðmbyggvir Friggjar |
|
Dweller in Frigg's Embrace |
|
| Faðr galdr |
|
Father of Magical Songs |
|
| Farmagnuðr, Farmögnuðr |
|
journey empowerer |
Háleygjatal (2), Skáldskaparmál |
| Farmaguð, Farmatýr |
Farmagud, Farmatyr |
God of Cargoes (or Burdens) |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (48), Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Farmr arma Gunnlaðar |
|
Burden of Gunnlöð's Arms |
|
| Farmr galga |
|
Gallows' Burden |
|
| Fengr |
|
Fetcher or Catcher |
Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Fimbultýr |
Fimbultyr |
Mighty God |
Völuspá (60) |
| Fimbulþulr |
Fimbulthul |
Mighty Thuler |
Hávamál (80, 142) |
| Fjallgeiguðr |
|
Shape god |
Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Fjölnir |
Fjolnir |
Wise One, concealer |
Grímnismál (47), Reginsmál (18), Gylfaginning (3, 20), many skaldic poems, þulur, Óðins nöfn (2), Skíðaríma (91, 174) |
| Fjölsviðr |
Fjolsvid, Fjolsvin |
Very Wise |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Fjörgynn |
Fjorgyn |
Masculine counterpart of feminine Fjörgyn meaning "land/earth" |
Lokasenna (26), Völuspá (56) |
| Foldardróttinn |
|
Lord of the Earth |
|
| Forni |
|
Ancient One |
|
| Fornölvir |
|
Ancient Ölvir |
Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Fráríðr, Fráríði |
|
The one who rides forth |
Óðins nöfn (2), Grettisrímur III (1), Sturlaugsrímur VI (47) |
| Frumverr Friggjar |
|
First husband of Frigg |
|
| Fundinn |
|
The Found |
Óláfsrímur Tryggvasonar A III (1) |
| Gagnráðr |
Gagnrad |
Advantage Counsel |
Vafþrúðnismál (8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17) |
| Galdraföðr |
|
Father of Magical Songs |
|
| Gangari, Ganglari, Gangleri |
/ |
Wanderer or Wayweary |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (3) |
| Gangráðr |
|
'Gain Rede,' Contrary advisor, Journey Advisor |
Óðins nöfn (3) |
| Gapþrosnir |
|
The one in gaping frenzy |
Óðins nöfn (3) |
| Gautatýr |
Gautatyr |
God of the Geats |
Skáldskaparmál, Eyvindr skáldaspillir's Hákonarmál (1) |
| Gautr |
Gaut |
Gautr |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (54), Óðins nöfn (1), Friðþjófsrímur, Skíðaríma, Landrésrímur, Hjálmþérsrímur, Geiplur, Bjarkarímur, Griplur, Þrændlur, Skáldhelgarímur, Blávusrímur, Geirarðsrímur, Völsungsrímur |
| Geiguðr |
|
Dangler |
Óðins nöfn (3) |
| Geirlöðnir |
|
Spear inviter |
Óðins nöfn (3) |
| Geirölnir |
|
Spear charger |
Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Geirtýr |
|
Gore/Spear God |
|
| Geirvaldr |
|
Gore/Spear Master |
|
| Geldnir |
|
|
|
| Ginnarr |
|
Deceiver |
Óðins nöfn (1) |
| Gizurr |
|
Riddler |
Óðins nöfn (1) |
| Gestumblindi |
/ |
Blind Guest |
Hervarar saga (10), þulur, Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Glapsviðr |
Glapsvid, Glapsvin |
Swift in Deceit, Swift Tricker, Maddener, Wise in magical spells |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (3) |
| Goði hrafnblóts |
|
Goði of the Raven-offering |
|
| Goðjaðarr |
|
God Protector |
|
| Göllnir |
|
Yeller |
Óðins nöfn (3) |
| Gollorr |
|
Yeller |
Óðins nöfn (1) |
| Göllungr |
|
Yeller |
Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Göndlir |
Gondlir |
Wand-Bearer, Wand-Wielder |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (3) |
| Gramr Hliðskjálfar |
|
King of Hliðskjalf |
|
| Grímnir |
Grimnir |
Hooded, Masked One |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (introduction, 47, 49), Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld's lausavísur (9), Eilífr Goðrúnarson's Þórsdrápa (3), Húsdrápa (1), Rögnvaldr kali Kolsson's lausavísur (7), þulur, Óðins nöfn (1) |
| Grímr |
Grim |
Mask |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46, 47), þulur, Óðins nöfn (3, 7) |
| Gunnblindi |
|
Battle blinder |
Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Hagvirkr |
|
Skilful worker |
Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Hangadróttinn |
|
Lord of the hanged |
Ynglinga saga |
| Hangaguð, Hangatýr |
Hangagud, Hangatyr |
God of the Hanged |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál |
| Hangi |
|
Hanged One |
|
| Haptabeiðir |
|
Commander of Leaders |
|
| Haptaguð |
Haptagud |
God of Prisoners |
Gylfaginning |
| Haptasnytrir |
|
Teacher of gods |
|
| Haptsönir |
|
Fetter Loosener |
|
| Hárbarðr |
Harbard |
Hoary Beard, Grey Beard |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Hárbardsljód, þulur, Óðins nöfn (3) |
| Hárr |
Har |
High |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Harri Hliðskjálfar |
|
Lord of Hliðskjalf |
|
| Hávi |
Havi |
High One |
Hávamál (109, 111, 164), Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Heimþinguðr hanga |
|
Visitor of the Hanged |
|
| Helblindi |
/ |
Hel Blinder |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46) |
| Hengikeptr, Hengikjopt |
|
Hang jaw |
Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Herblindi |
|
Host blinder |
Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Herföðr, Herjaföðr |
Herfodr, Herjafodr |
Father of Hosts |
Gylfaginning, Völuspá (29, 43), Vafthrúdnismál (2), Grímnismál (19, 25, 26), Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Hergautr |
|
Host Gautr |
|
| Herjan |
/ |
Warrior, Harrier, Lord |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Herteitr |
Herteit |
War-merry |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (3) |
| Hertýr |
Hertyr |
Host-Tyr or God of Hosts |
Skáldskaparmál |
| Hildolfr |
|
Battle Wolf |
|
| Hjaldrgegnir |
|
Engager of Battle |
|
| Hjaldrgoð |
|
God of battle |
|
| Hjálmberi |
Hjalmberi |
Helmet Bearer |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), þulur, Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Hjarrandi |
|
Screamer |
Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Hléfreyr |
|
Famous/barrow lord |
Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Hleifruðr |
|
|
Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Hnikarr |
Hnikar |
Overthrower, Thruster |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Reginsmál (18, 19), Óðins nöfn (2) |
| Hnikuðr |
Hnikud |
Overthrower |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (48), Óðins nöfn (1) |
| Hoárr |
|
One Eyed |
|
| Hötter |
|
Hatter |
|
| Hovi |
|
High One |
|
| Hrafnaguð, Hrafnáss |
Hrafnagud |
Raven God |
Gylfaginning |
| Hrafnfreistuðr |
|
Raven tester |
|
| Hrami |
|
Fetterer, Ripper |
Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Hrani |
|
Blusterer |
|
| Hrjóðr |
|
Roarer |
Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Hroptr, Hroptatýr |
Hropt, Hroptatyr |
Sage |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Hákonarmál (14), Úlfr Uggason's Húsdrápa (8), Hávamál (160), Grímnismál (54), Sigrdrífumál (13), Óðins nöfn (2, 3, 5) |
| Hrosshársgrani |
|
Horse hair moustache |
Gautreks saga, Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Hvatmóðr |
|
Courage of the whet-stone |
Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Hveðrungr |
|
Roarer or Weather-maker |
Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Itreker |
|
Splendid Ruler |
|
| Jafnhárr |
Jafnhar |
'Evenhigh,' Just as High, Equally High |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Jalfaðr |
|
Yellow-brown Back |
|
| Jálg, Jálkr |
Jalk |
Gelding or Gelder |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49, 54), Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Jarngrímr |
|
Iron Mask |
|
| Jólnir, Jölnir |
|
Yule figure |
Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Jolfr |
|
Horse-wolf, bear |
|
| Jölfuðr, Jölföðr |
|
Yule father |
Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Jörmunr |
|
The mighty one, cosmic |
Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Kjalarr |
Kjalar |
Keel, Nourisher |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (1) |
| Langbarðr |
Langbard |
Long Beard |
þulur, Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Löndungr, Loðungr |
|
Shaggy Cloak Wearer |
Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Niðr Bors |
|
Borr's Kin |
|
| Njótr |
|
User, enjoyer or needed one |
Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Ófnir |
|
Inciter |
Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Olgr |
|
Protector, Hawk |
Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Ómi |
Omi |
Resounding one |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Óski |
Oski |
God of Wishes, Wished For |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Rauðgrani |
|
Red Mustache |
Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss 18, O˛rvar-Odds saga 19ff. |
| Reiðartýr |
|
Wagon God or God of riders |
|
| Rögnir |
|
Chief ('He that reigns') |
Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Rúnatýr |
|
God of Runes |
|
| Runni vagna |
|
Mover of Constellations |
|
| Saðr |
Sadr, Sann |
Truthful, Sooth |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Sanngetall |
/ |
Finder of Truth/Sooth |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Síðgrani |
Sidgrani |
Long Beard |
Alvíssmál (6) |
| Síðhöttr |
Sidhott |
Broad Hat |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (48), þulur, Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Síðskeggr |
Sidskegg |
Long Beard |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (48), þulur, Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Sigðir |
|
Victory giver |
Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Sigföðr |
Sigfodr |
Father of Victory, War Father |
Gylfaginning, Völuspá (54), Grímnismál (48), Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Siggautr |
|
Victory Geat |
Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Sigrhofundr |
|
Victory Author |
|
| Sigmundr |
|
Victory protection |
Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Sigrúnnr |
|
Victory Tree |
|
| Sigtryggr |
|
Sure of victory (Victory-true) |
Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Sigtýr |
Sigtyr |
God of Victory, War God |
Skáldskaparmál, Atlakviða (30), Glúmr Geirason's Gráfeldardrápa (12) |
| Sigþrór |
|
Successful in victory, Thriving in victory |
Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Skilfingr |
Skilfing |
Trembler or he of Hlidshilf |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (54), Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Skollvaldr |
|
Ruler of treachery |
Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Sonr Bestlu |
|
Son of Bestla |
|
| Spjalli Gauta |
|
Friend of the Goths |
|
| Sváfnir |
Svafnir |
Sleep bringer, Closer |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (54), Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Sveigðir |
|
Reed Bringer |
|
| Sviðarr |
Svidar |
|
Gylfaginning |
| Sviðrir |
Svidrir |
Calmer |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (50), Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Sviðuðr |
|
|
Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Sviðurr |
Svidur |
Wise One |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (50), Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Svipall |
/ |
Changing, Fleeting (or shape-shifter) |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (3) |
| Svölnir |
Svolnir |
Cooler |
Skáldskaparmál, Óðins nöfn (6) |
| Tveggi |
|
Double |
Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Tvíblindi |
Tviblindi |
Twice Blind |
þulur, Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Þekkr |
Thekk |
Known, Welcome One |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Þrasarr |
|
Quarreler |
Óðins nöfn (4) |
| Þriði |
Thridi |
Third |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Þriggi |
|
Triple |
|
| Þrór |
Thror |
Burgeoning, Thriving |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Þróttr |
Thrott |
Strength |
Glymdrápa (2) |
| Þuðr |
Thud, Thunn |
Lean, Pale |
Gylfaginning, Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Þundr |
Thund |
Thunderer |
Gylfaginning, Hávamál (145), Grímnismál (46, 54), Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Uðr |
Ud, Unn |
Loved, Beloved, Striver |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Váfuðr |
Vafud |
Wanderer |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (54) |
| Váfuðr Gungnis |
|
Swinger of Gungnir |
|
| Váði vitnis |
|
Foe of the Wolf |
|
| Vakr |
Vak |
Wakeful, Awakener |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (54), Óðins nöfn (7) |
| Valdr galga |
|
Ruler of Gallows |
|
| Valdr vagnbrautar |
|
Ruler of Heaven |
|
| Valföðr |
Valfodr |
Father of the Slain |
Gylfaginning, Völuspá (1, 27, 28), Grímnismál (48), þulur, Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Valgautr |
Valgaut |
Slaughter-Geat, Geat of the Slain |
Skáldskaparmál, Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Valkjosandi |
|
Chooser of the Slain |
|
| Valtamr, Valtam |
|
Slain Tame, The Warrior |
|
| Valtýr |
|
Slain God |
|
| Valþognir |
|
Slain Receiver |
|
| Vegtam |
/ |
Wanderer or Way-tame |
Baldrs draumar (6, 13) |
| Veratýr |
Veratyr |
God of men, God of being |
Gylfaginning, Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Viðfräger |
|
Wide Famed |
|
| Viðrir |
Vidrir |
Stormer |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Lokasenna (26) |
| Viðrímnir, Viðhrimnir |
|
Contrary screamer or 'wide hoary-beard' |
Óðins nöfn (1) |
| Viðurr |
Vidur |
Killer |
Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (6), Karlevi Runestone |
| Vingnir |
|
Swinger |
Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Vinr Lopts |
|
Friend of Loptr |
|
| Vinr Lóðurs |
|
Friend of Lóðurr |
|
| Vinr Míms |
|
Friend of Mímir |
|
| Vinr stalla |
|
Friend of Altars |
|
| Vófuðr |
|
Dangler |
Óðins nöfn (5) |
| Völundr rómu |
|
Smith of Battle |
|
| Yggr |
Ygg |
Terrible One |
Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá (28), Grímnismál (53, 54), Óðins nöfn (8) |
| Ýjungr, Ýrungr |
|
Stormy or of the primal streams |
Óðins nöfn (8) |
Eponymy
Many toponyms in Northern Europe where Germanic Tribes existed contain the name of *Wodanaz (Norse Odin, West Germanic Woden).
Wednesday is named after Woden, the English form of Odin (Old English
Wēdnes dæg, "Woden's day"). It is an early Germanic translation of the Latin
dies Mercurii ("Mercury's day") based on the Roman practice of understanding foreign gods by comparing them to Roman deities.
Runes
I know that I hung on Yggdrasil
For nine nights long
Wounded by spear
Consecrated to Odin
Myself a sacrifice to myself
Upon that tree
The wisest know not the roots
of ancient time whence it sprang.
None brought me bread
None gave me mead
Down to the depths I searched
I took up the Runes
Raised them with song
And from that tree I fell.
Runes you shall know, and readable staves,
Very powerful staves, very great staves
Graven by the mighty one who speaks
Carved by the Highest host
Odin among the Aesir
Dvalin among the dwarfs,
Dain among the Alfs
Alvitter among the etins
I myself carved some for mankind.
ODIN put himself through some incredibly rigorous ordeals. The Well of Wisdom lies under the second root of YGGDRASIL, which allows the Dew of Knowledge to seep into it. So ODIN
stabbed himself with his own spear and hung himself on the tree for
nine days and nights. He was then allowed a peep, and saw magic runes
appear on rocks beneath him.
With a superhuman effort he
struggled to lift them, which must have been quite an acrobatic feat.
Running his eye over the mystic symbols, he was instantly freed of all
encumbrances; restored and rejuvenated with everlasting vigor enabling
him to drop lightly to the ground.
His ordeal accomplished, ODIN was at last able to take a well-deserved swig from MIMIR's
well, making him well-wise as well as wise. It was even tastier than
his usual tipple Kvas, the Mead of Inspiration, a special brew made from
the blood of KVASIR.
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And you take only what is needed,
Hunter through the snows of Asgard,