This eight-legged animal could move over the sea as well as in the air, and was the son of the god Loki and the powerful stallion Svaðilfari. It appears in Grímnismál, Sigrdrífumál, Baldrs draumar, Hyndluljóð and Skáldskaparmál. Sleipnir holds a very special place in mythological texts, being both the best described and most frequently mentioned of the Aesir horses. The Nafnaþulur, a form of mnemonic enumeration in Snorri Sturluson's prose Edda, provide a large number of horse names: Hrafn, Sleipnir, Valr, Lettfeti, Tjaldari, Gulltoppr, Goti, Soti, Mor, Lungr, Marr, Vigg, Stuffr, Skaevadr, Blakkr, Thegn, Silfrtoppr, Fakr, Gullfaxi, Jor, and Blóðughófi. Although they do not always contain many mythological elements, they do provide a precise idea of the cults paid to this animal and its importance for the ancient German-Scandinavians, and hence the reasons for its place in the founding texts. Written sources come mainly from the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, but also from the saga. Secondly, he saw a connection with the Odinic cult of warrior death. The first real study on the subject was Gutorm Gjessing's Hesten i forhistorisk kunst og kultus (1943), in which he develops the idea of the horse as an ancient symbol of fertility in Nordic mythology, in connection with the god Freyr. Steller postulated the existence of an original Germanic horse-god. Horses (like gods, plants and people) embody the forces of the cosmos and nature. This is due to a worldview based on the perception of nature, which is at the origin of the myths. The texts reflect the society and customs of the time, clearly showing, according to Marc-André Wagner, that the horse was considered a " double of man" and a "form of the powers", both in the founding texts, rites and mentality of the Germans. Sacrificial horses associated with deities are among the oldest archaeological finds in these regions. In archaeology, as in Prose Edda, the horse is the most important animal in Nordic mythology. Demonizing and combating equestrian traditions and rituals, such as hippophagy, was a key element in the Christianization of the Nordic regions of Germania, Scandinavia and Iceland. His bones were used as instruments of black magic in the sagas. This importance in the founding texts and sagas reflects the high value of the horse among Nordic peoples, as also attested by the rituals linked to its sacrifice, the consumption of its meat or the use of its body parts, reputed to bring protection and fertility. The male horse is also highly valued in comparison with the mare. It is linked to many vital elements, such as light, air, water and fire. The horse pulls the chariot of the sun and moon and lights up the world with its mane. Closely associated with the cosmogony of the ancient Germanic-Scandinavians and with profound shamanic symbolism, this psychopomp is entrusted with the task of carrying the dead to Valhalla. The horse is more than just a means of transport, as it is at the heart of numerous fertility rituals in connection with the god Freyr. Almost always named, the horse is associated with the gods Æsir and Vanir, with heroes or their enemies in Nordic mythology. The horse in Nordic mythology is the most important animal in terms of its role, both in the texts, Eddas and saga, and in representations and cults. Rider on the Tjängvide Stone, interpreted as Odin on Sleipnir. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols. This article contains special characters.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |