Heimdallr

Heimdall ( Old Norse Heimdallr, Heimdalr or Heimdali ) is a god in Norse mythology from the race of gods, the Aesir, which is represented as guardian of the gods.

Etymology

The etymology of the binomial name is disputed. Bernhard Maier points out that etymological interpretations of Heimdall in the past were often justified by preconceived opinions about its function and therefore are not very convincing. The first name is derived from Old Norse element heimr, World, home ', but the origin of the second member can not be accurately determined. It could with dalr, Valley, bow, bend ' or dala, quite perfect, ' related. From comparisons with Wortgut from other Germanic idioms, such as Old English deal, radiant ' and gothic dulþs, hard ' includes Rudolf Simek that an approximate meaning of the name as, which is the world illuminated to suspect '.

Myth

Origin

Heimdall was " born on the edge of the earth", of nine mothers who are nine sisters.

" Heimdall is the seventh, called the white Ase. He knows a great and holy; of it is known, As he was born in wonderful time already: Nine mothers he was Mage, nine sisters, he was the son. Him contributed nine of the sisters, comes from vast country, the friede famous Asen, there at the edge of the earth: Gelf, Griffin, Eistla, Urgeba, wolfrun, Angeia, Are, Atla and Eisensaxa gave birth to the child. "

A direct, mythological equivalent to mothers can be found in the attested nine daughters of the sea giant Aegir: Angeyja that Bedrängerin ', Atla, the Terrible ', Eistla that quickly Thither Storming ', Eyrgjafa, the sand donor ', Gjalp, the brewing end ', Greip that Umkrallende ', Jarnsaxa, the biting cold ', Imd, the Hazy ' and Ulfrun that wolfishness '. The Nine number of mothers is often described as the various waves interpreted.

So Heimdall dates at least from the mother of the Giants and was probably reared by them. The Hyndlalied continues:

" This was strongly influenced by the power of the earth, the cool lake and pig's blood. "

Heimdall was therefore a strength potion mixed from earth, sea water and porcine blood.

Position in the world of the gods

Snorri Sturluson Heimdall mentioned in the Gylfaginning. Then Heimdall is the guardian of the gods and guarded in particular the bridge Bifrost ( the rainbow ), leading from Midgard to Asgard. Due to its guards duties, he comes with little sleep out, has excellent hearing and sharp eyes. Also a golden teeth he is said. In various theses on the saying " The early bird gold has in his mouth " whose origin is attributed to the god Heimdall. In addition, he will be wise " as only the Vanir " called. Holy rams him are ( Old Norse heimdali ). Heimdall lives in Himinbjörg and riding on his horse Gulltopp. The Gjallarhorn, which, resounding horn ', is in his possession. The sound of the horn warns at the beginning of Ragnarök before the time that the downfall of the gods result.

Loki mocks in the Lokasenna about Heimdall and displays it as a miserable guardian of Asgard

"Silence Heimdall! You was in Urtagen given a bad life; with dirty back you'll always be and watch as the guardian of the gods. "

In the decisive battle of Ragnarok Heimdall fight against Loki, they kill each other.

Origin myths

In the Völuspá Heimdall is called the Father of all men. In the short marriage gutter speech Völuspá in Skamma it is also said that he was " clan- related sämtlichem people." This evidence suggests that Ethnogonie, but are too dark to prove that Heimdall is to be regarded as the progenitor of the people.

In poetry Rigsthula he is considered the founder of the stands. Together with MODIV he witnesses the sons of Jarl, Prince ', Karl Bauer ' and Thrall, servant '. The Rigsthula is probably a didactic poem of the late Middle Ages and therefore no longer pagan. The Soziogonie described in it probably should facilitate the introduction of a monarchical class society within the meaning of that prince, but could connect to the above descent myth.

Reception

Many German and Scandinavian music groups, especially in the genres of Viking Metal, Folk Metal and Pagan Metal, use the form Heimdall, the Gjallarhorn and other remuneration to Heimdall in their texts.