Scandinavian watches: What are the best Scandinavian watch brands? She eats the buds off the tree Lrar, producing so much mead that she fills a huge cauldron every day to provide her magical drink for all the warriors of Valhalla. The most famous elf was Wayland the Smith (Vlund in Old Norse, Wland in Anglo-Saxon, Wieland in German) whose story must have circulated in various versions across the whole Germanic space. Vlund promises to fix it, and then they drink together and she falls asleep in his chair. Depicted as the mother of all wolves. Another fallacy would be to assume that we always know what medieval concepts and terminology signify because we know what the same words were used to indicate during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, without ever examining their actual usage in the medieval sources. DunkerTroll depicted in a folktale from Fosen. TheReginsmlonly mentions his shortness but goes on to say that was fierce, skilled in magic, and wise, so this identification might work. Generally, however, mostdvergarare male. Details on their origin are found in the creation poem Vlusp, the first poem of the Poetic Edda, the 13th-century CE collection of Norse poems. Originally from Bucharest, Romania, now residing in Hesse, Germany. YmerThe oldest creature in the Norse universe. Although Mjllnir's handle was slightly too short is was a marvelous . This could mean elves were just another kind of dwarf, or vice versa. His father Sigmund is slain in a battle with a suitor of his mother Hjordis. Some of the major gods in Norse mythology include: Odin - the one-eyed leader, or head, of all the gods Thor - god of thunder and Odin's son Loki - the trickster god Hel - goddess of the. Furthermore, these details are suggested in scenes on the Franks casket of ivory, an 8th-century CE Anglo-Saxon chest rich in mythical subject matters. Then the dwarves invite a giant named Gilling and his wife. Vlund is a complex character, reuniting aspects of the light and dark elves mentioned by Snorri: at first peaceful and melancholic, then after his imprisonment aggressive and merciless. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. While the Aesir were the great gods and lived in Asgard, the Vanir were minor gods and resided in Vanaheim. A different race of humanoids who are human-sized and occasionally interact with humans. The Valkyries on the Battlefield. The race of dwarves, down to a character named Lofar, leaves the mountains for a new home, but this story is unexplained. After they kill him, they drain his blood, mix it with honey, and thus concoct the mead of poetry, the enchanted liquid that will turn anyone into a talented skald. Today, they are famous mythological beings to depict, usually as a warrior woman. We contribute a share of our revenue to remove carbon from the atmosphere and we offset our team's carbon footprint. Before the adventures of Sigurd, thesagadeals with the power struggles of Sigurds ancestors. Jrmungandr, the Great Beast, World Serpent, or the Midgard Serpent, is the enormous snake that surrounds the world. Manea, Irina-Maria. Egil is also the one compelled by Nithuth to shoot at Vlund, but not before hiding a bladder filled with blood under his arm so that the king believes his enemy is killed. The short narrative calledSrla ttr, where the goddessFreyjasleeps with some dwarves in exchange for a magnificent collar, also states that they live in rocks or likely caves. Related Content Our publication has been reviewed for educational use by Common Sense Education, Internet Scout (University of Wisconsin), Merlot (California State University), OER Commons and the School Library Journal. The story continues after a gap in lines with Bothvild regretting that her ring has broken. As he is doing this, Nithuth hears about his whereabouts and sends his men to Vlunds hall when he is away. In Norse mythology why do the light elves and dark elves hate each other? His appearance in flight with the corpses of men is meant to herald the beginning of Ragnarok. Merovech is one of several barbarian kings that joined forces with the Roman general Aetius against the Huns under Attila at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains in Gaul. The figure is present in Old English as early as the 8th century CE, probably spreading in Scandinavia a century later. The origin of Sleipnirs birth is also interesting, being born when Loki became pregnant from a Jtunns stallion while shapeshifting into a mare. Top section of a runestone found at Sanda, Gotland, Sweden, dating to the Viking Age (793-1066 CE). There is perhaps no Norse god more famous and beloved than Thor, the protector of Asgard (the realm of the gods) and Midgard (the realm of humankind). The story concludes with Bothvild confirming Vlunds sayings and the flight of the elf. Snorri even describes a second realm for the dark elves called Svartlfaheimr. lfsiden is said to mean a nightmare, and lfogoa, hiccoughs. They have fought several times, and when Ragnarok begins, they are fated to kill each other. Not much else is known about their behaviors and world. However, the Norse people viewed elves as creatures with strong connections to the Gods, the evolution of humanity, and the cycle of life and death. Numerous educational institutions recommend us, including Oxford University. Vlund makes the princess her lover, who then weeps for her partner who manages to escape the island. (232). They have survived in modern folklore as part of the hluduflk, the hidden peoples. Dwarves appear in several important stories, such as the one about the forging ofThors hammer, or dragon Fafnirs treasure. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike. Before confessing, the elf makes him swear no harm will come to his bride, Bothvild that is, and the child she is carrying. After falling asleep, he is captured by Nithuth and charged with having stolen his treasure, but the elf says the gold was not in the hills of the Rhine. These creatures flesh out changing destiny, gods, and exciting stories. The Volsunga saga was written in the 13th century CE, and it makes use of plenty of supernatural motifs. ai thinker esp32 cam datasheet Elves and dwarves represent minor divine figures in Norse mythology. Elves commonly cause human illnesses,[6] but they also have the power to heal them, and seem especially willing to do so if sacrifices are offered to them. As remarked by Turville-Petre. Associated with Canis Major. [7] Humans and elves can interbreed and produce half-human, half-elfin children, who often have the appearance of humans but possess extraordinary intuitive and magical powers. Alfhild comes from the Norse terms for elf (alfr) and battle (hildr). An elf (Old Norse lfr, Old English lf, Old High German alb, Proto-Germanic *albaz) is a certain kind of demigod-like being in the pre-Christian mythology and religion of the Norse and other Germanic peoples. As an experienced author, reviewer and travel writer, Rebekah brings much needed Nordic chic to Scandification. The Anglo-Saxon poemAgainst a Dwarfis a charm supposed to cure an illness of some kind of trouble sleeping, a nightmare, elf-dream (Alptraumin German). "Elves & Dwarves in Norse Mythology." Ultimately, then, their veneration lasted longer than even that of the gods. In fact, it was said that they used terrible magic to ensure this from time to time during major conflicts. Trolls . Heim is the Old Norse word for "home.". 10 Most famous Norwegians throughout history. The biggest influence on way elves are shown in . Another noteworthy dwarven character is Alviss, literally "all-knowing", found in the poem Alvssml of the Poetic Edda. She is most famous for licking the salt stone that revealed Bri, grandfather of the gods. Born in Trondheim and currently living in Oslo, Erik knows the ins and outs of Norwegian History, society, and culture. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'planetnorway_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_19',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-planetnorway_com-narrow-sky-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'planetnorway_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_20',165,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-planetnorway_com-narrow-sky-2-0_1');.narrow-sky-2-multi-165{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. As one day they go out at sea, the boat capsizes and Gilling drowns. Snorri Sturluson, the writer and Icelandic historian responsible for much of what we know about Nordic lore, divided elves into two segments. The most common theory is that he spreads gossip, and slander, and attempts to get the two to start fighting, which in turn is meant to continue the cycle of decay and rebirth of the tree. Jotunheim - Realm of the Frost Giants Given their ability to produce exquisite objects and their knowledgeable, somewhat enchanted nature, we could suppose elves and dwarves occupied an intermediary place between gods and men. Born of Loki and the Jtunn Angrboa, he is the brother of the great serpent, Jrmungandr, and queen of the underworld, Hel. 15 of the very best Danish TV shows on Netflix, A Guide to the Best Hotels in Copenhagen, Denmark. If we go right back to the beginning, and somewhere beyond Earthor Midgard, rather, in this instancewe'll happen across not one, but two races: the Ljslfar (Light elves) and the Dkklfar (Dark elves). They bring it to the gods, together with the ring Draupnir, which drips nine other rings every ninth night, and Gullinborsti, a magic boar faster than any horse. HrungnirThe stongest giant in Norse mythology. However, they were also willing to cure illnesses and protect humans if sacrifices were offered to them. The Valkyries appeared at the scene of battle. p. 232. Another name in the list, Dvalin, is credited in another poem of thePoetic Edda, theHvaml, with having given some magicrunesto his kin, which perhaps explains their skills (stanza 144). Snorri even describes a second realm for the dark elves called Svartlfaheimr. Similar to the ravens Hugin and Munin, theyre parts of Odin, forming part of him even as they remain distinct. Disturbingly, Thor cooks the goats and eats their flesh before resurrecting them again with his hammer. The Reginsml only mentions his shortness but goes on to say that was fierce, skilled in magic, and wise, so this identification might work. Ylfagescot(elf-shot) is applied to certain diseases of men and beasts. The dwarves lived in their own part of Midgard, a place no human could find. Alfhild. 6. He is also thought to play a significant role in Ragnarok, where he will fly to help the Jtunn. The World History Encyclopedia logo is a registered trademark. They designed three gifts for Aesir, the gods of the principal pantheon in the Norse religion. There are a number of dogs in Hindu mythology. After it is decided that this is indeed the greatest gift, Brokk has Thor catch Loki for him, but the deceitful Loki says he wagered his head, not his neck, and the dwarfs brother Alr seals Lokis lips. A curious and open mind, fascinated by the past. Thirdly, we have those characters from the story of Sigurd. Some scholars believe the Dkklfar may simply be another name for dwarves. Scandinavian folklore told of beautiful elven women who had a youthful appearance but would be hollow when seen from the back. Their name comes from two Old Norse words, valr referring to those who died in battle and kjosa meaning "to choose.". Loki goes to the sons of Ivaldi, who also create Gungnir, Odins spear, and Skidbladnir, Freyrs ship. She is taken in by Alf, prince of Denmark, and her son Sigurd turns out to be of extraordinary might and character. The lines between elves and other spiritual beings, including dwarves, gods, giants, and even land spirits are notoriously blurry. Norse mythology accompanied those first intrepid Vikings more than 1,000 years ago, and plenty of stories have joined the Icelandic Eddas and Sagas since that time to fill the time during cold. Perhaps the god Freyr, connected to prosperity and good harvest, had something in common with them, as the poem Grmnisml suggests that the realm of the light-elves, Alfheim, has been given to him. The king takes Vlunds sword, his daughter receives the gold ring meant for Vlunds wife, and the queen speaks of his bad appearance and upcoming unhappiness of this creature or Myrkwood (a magical place also used by Tolkien). Regin is also listed among thedvergarof theVlusp. Role: Principal clan of Norse gods. In stanza 10, we have the names of two apparently powerful dwarves, Motsognir and Durin, but little is known of them, as with the other dwarves listed in the following catalogue up to stanza 16, theDvergatalin Old Norse. Technically, although the word Aesir refers only to multiple male gods, we use it today to refer to the entire pantheon of . 17.07.2022. There are many other gods, monster and creatures that inhabit the 9 worlds. For example, they forged Mjollnir, Thors hammer, and the chains that bind Fenrir, who broke free of all others. Beyond the powerful yet fickle gods of Norse mythology, the nose sagas provide us with countless tales of legendary creatures and beings that have captured the modern imagination. It could be an interesting change of perspective now for those of your who rewatch Lord of the Rings, to imagine what Legolas would look like if he were more similar to Gimli. Even though arguments can be made for such a continuity in certain cases, it may be jeopardous to make general assumptions from only limited or specific instances. The Dokkalfar elves lived under the earth and were said to be similar to dwarves but were completely black in color. Odin - was probably one of the most famous Norse mythology names, and it still is today. Then the dwarves invite a giant named Gilling and his wife. Among the many names, we also find Norri, Suri, Austri, and Vestri north, south, east, and west, the ones holding the sky up. Influenced by later folklore and popular culture, we tend to think about elves, dwarves, and many other supernatural beings as having certain characteristics which makes them very easily identifiable. The tale of the making of Mjlnir, Thors hammer, and of other essential items has only been transmitted by SnorrisEdda, the secondary source, but because they are sometimes used in metaphors in poetry, they probably come from older sources. He succeeds, and they fight when Jrmungandr surfaces, Thor using his hammer and the beast spewing poison. This has led to some confusion about whether the term elf was simply another term for Vanir, which is the name for the gods in Nordic lore. About the hammer Mjlnir, they say it would not fail in any strike. Many of the supernatural creatures depicted in Norse lore seem to have a lot of overlap, making it difficult to differentiate one from the other. Sarama - The Apsara of Indra, a Vedic god. JWP began by publishing our Viking Language Series, which provides a modern course in Old Norse, with exercises and grammar that anyone can understand. Despite this, its impossible to deny that elf mythology from ancient Nordic times has had a phenomenal impact on the way we view these magical creatures today. Theyre connected to gods, spirits, and even dwarves. The reason ravens might have become such an important symbol was that as carrion birds, they could be considered to be gathering gifts for Odin after a battle. It represents the speed and power of a horse at least twice as great as any other, and in the Poetic Edda is considered the greatest among all horses. Sometimes Ratatoskr sends messages for him up to the eagle in the high branches of the great tree. Fafnir killed their father, turned into a dragon, and hid all the treasure, while Regin became a smith. [5] Hall, Alaric. Elves were very popular in English fiction after the medieval period, where they were often considered to be a type of fairy and often seen as mischievous pranksters. This skillful figure together with his brothers take swan-maidens (valkyries) as wives, but after some years they fly away. They are depicted as hideous to look at and reeking of rot and decay. They can live in soil or in rocks. Regarding the differences between all these supernatural creatures, scholar rmann Jakobsson adds: Notions of a continuity of Northern folk traditions [] are revived in every generation, with subtle changes, without having ever really gone out of fashion. J.R.R. Two wicked dwarves named Fjalar and Galar come up in the story of the mead of poetry. One visitor, King Alf, slayed the creatures and attempted to marry Alfhild. Vlund is a complex character, reuniting aspects of the light and dark elves mentioned by Snorri: at first peaceful and melancholic, then after his imprisonment aggressive and merciless. Gaiman fashions these primeval . (1801-1872), better known as Myllarguten, was a famous fiddle player from Telemark, Norway, who was so good it was rumored he had sold his soul in exchange for Fossegrimmen . They are often at war with the Gods of the sir and Vanir. The elves are luminous beings, more beautiful than the sun,[2] whose exalted status is demonstrated by their constantly being linked with the Aesir and Vanir gods in Old Norse and Old English poetry. In folklore, dwarves are generally associated with craftsmanship, mining, mountains, earth, and their appearance does not seem too enticing. It could be an interesting change of perspective now for those of your who rewatchLord of the Rings, to imagine what Legolas would look like if he were more similar to Gimli. The smith hero Vlundr is identified as 'Ruler of Elves' in the poem Vlundarkvia, who is the son of a king of the 'Finnar'. The Aesir were connected to the celestial plane and were gods of war, courage, and natural elements. For a long time, views about elves in Old Norse mythology were defined by Snorri Sturluson's . Due to Huginn and Munnin, Odin is often associated with ravens. Elves in Anglo-Saxon England. They bring it to the gods, together with the ring Draupnir, which drips nine other rings every ninth night, and Gullinborsti, a magic boar faster than any horse. In Norse mythology, there are two different types of elves, the Dokkalfar (the dark elves) and the Ljosalfar (the light elves). The stories that make up what is known today as Norse mythology Old Norse-Icelandic Literature: A Short Introduction, Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. The dwarves are skilled craftsmen, and they have crafted some of the best objects in the world. Initially, Freya was a member of the Vanir gods. Interestingly, Elves in Norse mythology are often differentiated into various groups. The appearance of ravens after giving an offering to Odin was taken to mean he accepted it. Historian with a keen interest in Norse myth and the Viking Age, as well as history teacher and language instructor. Because Odin oversees Valhalla, the land of those who died in battle, this connection makes sense. He is then later called lord of goats.. Cruelly vengeful, he makes silver cups out of their skulls for the king, gems out of their eyes for their mother, and a brooch out of their teeth for their sister Bothvild. Of course, this varied throughout regions as well: no one was necessarily bound to have a specific god be above the rest. The final group are the inhabitants of Svartalfaheim, called Svartalfar or Black elves, however, the context . Greedy, terrible, and unpopular people were said to become a draugr after their death. Many stories within Norse mythology have Valkyries in love affairs with human men and assisting Odin in taking his favorite warriors to Valhalla, where they will eventually fight for him during Ragnarok. Because depictions of elves in Norse mythology are so complex, its difficult to connect them with a specific symbolism. Midgard means "the middle fortress.". There are hundreds of named dwarves in the Poetic Edda, with some even playing major cosmological roles such as Norri, Suri, Austri, and Vestri (Old Norse for North, South, East, and West), who hold up the sky. Theres more to the story than that, as their name means choosers of the slain, which implies they determine who will die in battle. They sit on his shoulders and speak of all the news they see and hear to Odin into his ears. This hurts the tree deeply, threatening its ability to hold up the nine worlds of the cosmos. She decides a persons luck and happiness. These creatures are also described as being fairer than the sun, which is perhaps what inspired creators like J R.R. It is an old and widespread belief that elves cause illnesses, and Old English terminology is rich in expressions which show this. Ultimately, the Nordic elf has a lot of overlap with countless other spiritual and magical beings from the Nordic world. He tells him the story of his family and his two brothers, Fafnir and Otr, and how one day Odin, Loki, and Hoenir killed Otr in his otter shape. Jrmungandrs most hated enemy is Thor. famous bears in norse mythology famous bears in norse mythology (No Ratings Yet) . The fylgja are spirit animals that would show up after the birth of a child, typically animals that would be the ones to eat the afterbirth. Many specialists believe the Nordic people themselves probably didnt make a lot of specific distinctions between these groups. Some turn into animals, for example, the aforementioned Fafnir from the legend of the clan of the Volsungs (related to the continental cycle of Nibelungs), Andvari who lives like a fish, and Otr, which means quite literally an otter, from the same story. Vanir were a race of gods responsible for wealth, fertility, and commerce. Very little is known of the elves in Norse myth. Codex Regius of the Poetic EddaUnknown (Public Domain). In some poems, elves are depicted as having an ambivalent relationship with humans. We do know the Nordic elf appeared to have some connection to the goddess Freya, and her brother Freyr, who was responsible for ruling over the realm of Alfheim, where the elves lived. Talented smiths as they are, their creative power can turn against them. Tales of their magical powers are also numerous, with some draugr shapeshifting, entering into dreams, and creating darkness in their surroundings. Vlund is celebrated at length in the first heroic poem of the 13th-century CEPoetic Edda, namelyVlundarkvia(Lay of Vlund, Old Norse:Vlundarkvia), which tells of how the famous craftsman was lamed by king Nithuth and then enacted terrible revenge. These 10 most famous of the Norse legends evoke images of mighty battles, forces of nature and wicked beings. . 1964. Before the adventures of Sigurd, the saga deals with the power struggles of Sigurd's ancestors. Perhaps the god Freyr, connected to prosperity and good harvest, had something in common with them, as the poemGrmnismlsuggests that the realm of the light-elves, Alfheim, has been given to him. While there are various descriptions of elves dotted throughout books like the Poetic Edda, our understanding of how Vikings and other Norse people actually viewed elves is somewhat limited. Sign up for our free weekly email newsletter! The Trustees of the British Museum (CC BY-NC-SA), Snorri makes a difference between light-elves who live in a splendid place called Alfheim & dark-elves (. Another name in the list, Dvalin, is credited in another poem of the Poetic Edda, the Hvaml, with having given some magic runes to his kin, which perhaps explains their skills (stanza 144). . Pronunciation: aye-sear. p. 13. Thor asks what the earth is called,the clouds, the wind, the sea, the fire, and so on. One day Nithuths sons come to the island to see the elfs great treasure. She is taken in by Alf, prince of Denmark, and her son Sigurd turns out to be of extraordinary might and character. This suggests if the dwarves and dark elves werent the same people, they may have been closely linked, or lived together in the same realm. In legendary sagas, kings of elven blood seem to be of higher importance. Some of the gods are described as being Jtunn, such as Skai, and others are descended from Jtunn, such as Odin and Thor. Also, it is said that If a dwarf stays above ground after daybreak, they turn to stone. The medieval Icelandic author Snorri Sturluson, who wroteThe Prose Edda,states that they came out of the primordial giant Ymirs flesh like maggots, and then the gods endowed them with reason. From Odin's mighty horse to a world-circling serpent, Norse Mythology has a cacophony of crazy creatures! She was the twin sister to Freyr and the daughter to Njord. They would rarely interact with humans except to cure or cause sicknesses for unknown reasons. As one day they go out at sea, the boat capsizes and Gilling drowns. Given their ability to produce exquisite objects and their knowledgeable, somewhat enchanted nature, we could suppose elves and dwarves occupied an intermediary place between gods and men. Two wicked dwarves named Fjalar and Galar come up in the story of the mead of poetry. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/article/1695/elves--dwarves-in-norse-mythology/. The second time they visit Vlund kills them and hides their bodies under his bellows. Another noteworthy dwarven character is Alviss, literally all-knowing, found in the poemAlvssmlof thePoetic Edda. In one story, the dwarf Andvari is described as being from Svartlfar, a realm for the elves. The Ljosalfar, on the other hand, were radiantly beautiful and were considered the same as the gods. Other references to him come up in the poems Beowulf and Waldere, on a Swedish runestone in Ardre, and various traditions of medieval folklore. Though these ethereal beings helped to inspire a huge number of characters in popular culture, their original depictions are somewhat vague. They are commonly depicted in one of two different forms: Small nature spirits affiliated with the fairies. Ratatoskr drill-tooth, is the squirrel who ferries messages up and down Yggdrasil, the world tree. The word "sharvara" means variegated or spotted. The Norse Gods. He, therefore, decides to kill his foster-father, eat some of the heart, and take much of the treasure. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'planetnorway_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_12',163,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-planetnorway_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'planetnorway_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_13',163,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-planetnorway_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0_1');.mobile-leaderboard-1-multi-163{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. As such, its difficult to fully understand what the Nordic people were referring to when they spoke of elves. Our latest articles delivered to your inbox, once a week: Our mission is to engage people with cultural heritage and to improve history education worldwide. They are the ones who kill Kvasir, the extraordinary knowledgeable creature born out of the mixed spit of the two families of gods, the sir and the Vanir, when they end their war at the beginning of the world. When they get to the task in their workshop, Loki in the form of a fly starts troubling Brokk, but he keeps blowing in the forge. At some point, he stops to sweep the fly away as it has been nibbling his eyelid, which is why the hammer they make for Thor comes with a defect, that it is rather short. Famous depictions of him have him biting his own tail as he holds up all of Midgard or earth. Throughout the Nordic sagas and Eddic poetry, elves are mentioned somewhat frequently, but they remain some of the most mysterious creatures in Norse lore. p. 36. Another fallacy would be to assume that we always know what medieval concepts and terminology signify because we know what the same words were used to indicate during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, without ever examining their actual usage in the medieval sources. Creation Of The Cosmos. However, he is also called ajotunn,a giant, at some point. TheVolsungasagawas written in the 13th century CE, and it makes use of plenty of supernatural motifs. Elves and dwarves were probably seen as interchangeable, belonging to the large family of spirits populating a world seen as much richer than what the naked eye could grasp, as Northmen did not share our passion for clear categories. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin's son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Lokison of a giantblood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. They can live in soil or in rocks. In the Skldskaparml ("Language of poetry"), Snorri tells us this tale as an answer to the question of why Sifs hair is called gold. As mentioned above, the Vanir god Freyr, the brother of Freya was the lord of the elves homeland, Alfheim. Another one of Odins helper spirits, Odin rides Sleipnir on his journeys through Yggdrasils roots and branches, leading him through the nine worlds.