Mjo:lnir (Thor’s hammer) was Loki’s gift, not Thor’s right. THE Face of Loki Thor Odin NORSE VIKING CELTIC God Silver Pewter pendant Amulet. 1964. With his wife Sigyn fathered Narfi and / or Nari. Loki alternately helps both the gods and the giants, depending on which course of action is most pleasurable and advantageous to him at the time. He’s by turns playful, malicious, and helpful, but he’s always irreverent and nihilistic. In the tales, Loki is portrayed as a scheming coward who cares only for shallow pleasures and self-preservation. Loki also reproduced with his mistress, Angrboda, a jötunn (possibly a troll) who gave birth to three children: Hel, who ruled the eponymous underworld called Hel, Jörmungandr, the sea … In winter she becomes Loki’s lover and her golden generosity fades and dies as dead is the earth that is frozen and cannot produce food). He is the son of Fárbauti and Pene, and the brother of Helblindi and Býleistr. Odin, one of the principal gods in Norse mythology. Who Were the Indo-Europeans and Why Do They Matter. Interesting that so much is pulled from the comics in this thread. Not by blood. 2012. p. 90-91. 2009. From all of this, the most straightforward meaning of Loki’s name would seem to be “Knot” or “Tangle.”[8][9]. He was taken as an infant by Odin and was raised with Thor, Little more to it than a mere poisoning – The Binding of Loki, Yup. But as I said Im not sure about this. You need to stick to the actual Edda the real books, not the comics… and not the internet, people make things up on the internet all the time stick to the elder books, look in the library, or go to northern Europe and see if you can find actual books on these topics, Loki was definitely not adopted though, Odin and he formed a brotherhood, the giants and the gods have had multiple affairs and the realm of the giants is called Jotunheim pronounced yo tun hame, and it’s only one of the nine worlds in this ancient belief. He was the son of jötunn Fárbauti and Laufey; and sworn brother of Asgardian lord god Odin, despite being much younger than him. LOKI NORSE GOD of Fire Conjure Oil for Magical Spellwork, Rootwork, Hoodoo, Wicca, Voodoo, Vodun ShopStephenMichaels. As the myths play out, the playful Loki gives way to a cruel predator, hostile to the gods. ODIN. Book VIII. Odhinn and Loki and ? Translated by Angela Hall. For the centuries that Norse mythology has been a subject of scholarly study, scholars have been unable to explain the meaning of Loki’s name in any convincing way. That was never an aspect of the older myths before Christianity got a hold od him. Myth and Religion of the North: The Religion of Ancient Scandinavia. Although his father was the giant Fárbauti, he was included among the Aesir (a tribe of gods). Very little was retained, and most of that oral, until the Eddas were written down. Vali and Narvi with Sygin and Einmyria and Eisa with Glut. [6][7] It seems that even the pagan Scandinavians themselves held conflicting views on whether Loki was a god, a giant, or something else entirely. While treated as a nominal member of the gods, Loki occupies a highly ambivalent and ultimately unique position among the gods, giants, and the other kinds of spiritual beings that populate the pre-Christian Norse religion. Loki did not appear just out of nowhere. As those are based on what little survived the Christian destruction of the original religion, we cannot even say what was fully believed about any of the Norse gods, giants, etc. His father is the giant Farbauti (Old Norse Fárbauti, “Cruel Striker”[1]). In Norse mythology, he is depicted as the representation of trickery, deceit, intrigue and lies, so the question of who is Loki entails a true mystery. Neither an Aesir or a Vanir, he is the son of two giants and yet the foster-brother of Odin. 1905. Loki and Logi actually met at one point and had an eating contest, it was weird. I still totally hate that the Aesir ended up being dick-heads/a holes to Loki after all he did for them. The origins of Norse mythology are scanty at best, as the Norse embraced Christianity and did away with their original beliefs, for the most part. Obviously you have not read the myths. Nowhere in the Edda is said he was a frost giant, just a Giant, Like Skadi or Jerd. Odhinn usually gets a Yahweh-like attention as psychopomp, yet He is like Zeus, like the wind, He brings the “weather” of man’s fates, the factors of a person’s journey. He is also father of Fenrir, the wolf demon that bites off Tyr’s hand and will eat Odin during Ragnarok. -Lokasenna, Poetic Edda, XVI. Just my thoughts on it. Personally I believe they were both Jotun and Odin was the start of the Aesir’s line, but there’s also a myth that Vili/Hoenir and Ve/Loki were ancestors of the Vanir but I won’t touch that as there is not enough evidence to such a claim. Eddic and skaldic poetry are peppered with passing references to this role of hers, attesting to her existence in the Germanic pantheon from early times. So I guess he is kinda both, I know that I’ve read a few stories about Loki’s marriage to Glut and about his daughters Eisa and Einmyria which came from said marriage from whan he was still know as Hearth God, and I’ve read many many stories about how he’s the trickster too…. Laufey or Nál is a figure in Norse mythology and the mother of Loki.The latter is frequently mentioned by the matronymic Loki Laufeyjarson (Old Norse 'Loki Laufey's son') in Eddic poetry, rather than the expected traditional patronymic Loki Fárbautason ('son of Fárbauti'), in a mythology where kinship is ideally reckoned through male ancestry.. Name. The movie continued this, though accepted his Jotun parentage, as Odin found him as a baby and adopted him into Asgard’s society as an Aesir prince. I think one of the reasons people seem to like the idea of him being Odin’s son (other than the Marvel Comics) is because the descriptions of Loki don’t match what is said about the giants. Slanderer and Cheat of the Gods, Contriver of Baldr’s Death, the Bound God, Wrangling Foe of Heimdallr and of Skadi.” He was Odin’s BLOOD-BROTHER (a brother by a ritual of mixing blood, it’s actually an ancient tradition people who passed through a lot together or owe their life to the other did often) And no, he definitely was not his son not foster not in any way, nor had he any type or silbing relationship with Thor. In his History of the Danes, Thor, on one of his many journeys to Jotunheim, the homeland of the giants, finds a giant named Útgarðaloki (“Loki of the Utgard“). Loki’s apparently very faithful and loving wife, Sigyn, sits at his side with a bowl to catch the venom. [7] Turville-Petre, E.O.G. And in this state he lies until breaking free at Ragnarok. Being the son of one of the Gods would account for both his size and appearance – otherwise he’s just got a really lucky birth defect. He lives inside the dark of everyone of us. Second, it could indicate his being the “knot” in the otherwise straight thread of the gods and their world, the fatal flaw that ultimately brings about their demise. Loki spake: The trickster god Loki is undoubtedly the most debated figure from Norse mythology to this day. Loki, from a modern pagan or Asatru’, is a trickster and could be an underworld deity. p. 195. It’s entertainment, not history or religious studies. He was a incredibly mighty and sly. When this happens, the drops of venom that fall onto him cause him to writhe in agony, and these convulsions create earthquakes. In the Prose Edda Snorri Sturluson writes that Loki: is handsome and fair of face, but has an evil disposition and is very changeable of mood. In Norse mythology, Loki is the god associated with trick, lie and fire. Loki is demonized after Snorri added his “artistic flare” to it, and then the Asatru community a handful degrade anyone who works with the Jotun or Loki when the Aesir themselves are mixed with Jotun. He was married to Sigyn, but he had many affairs, including one with a giantess named Angrböda which produced three horrific offspring: Hel, the goddess of the underworld; Jörmungand, the … Loki’s brothers were Helblindi and Býleistr, also jötnar. Loki (pronounced “LOAK-ee;” Old Norse Loki, the meaning of which will be discussed below) is the wily trickster god of Norse mythology. [5] When the battle for the world is fought, he and the god Heimdall mortally wound each other. He was, indeed, the GOD OF FIRE. Hodr was honorably executed but Loki wasn’t. 100% accurate. His mother is Laufey (the meaning of which is unknown) or Nal (Nál, “Needle”[2]). Thiazi pursues him desperately in the form of an eagle, but, having almost caught up with Loki as he nears his destination, the gods light a fire around the perimeter of their fortress. After Thiazi’s death, the giant’s daughter, Skadi, arrives in Asgard demanding restitution for the slaying of her father. In Myth 10 he shears Sif’s hair which is more mischievous than evil, but he makes amends in the end. Edited by Agneta Ney et al. He not only guides the mistletoe dart that kills Balder but stands in his way on his return from Hel (the citadel of Niflheim). Since both Loki and Old Coyote are cunning and mysterious to a point where they cause trouble, and even sometimes helps others out of trouble, if it benefits them. If believed that Loge and Lodur are both Loki then we can see how we gradually go away from the “Old Gods”. 1993. Again, Loki as an ACTUAL Aesir, not as a tolerated or an adopted Jotun. No, don’t look at me as if I were mad. Ring of the Nibelung. Loki (Loptr, or Hvedrungr) is the Trickster god of the Norse, concerned with thievery, magic and fire. Although I don’t agree very much with the “evil in our hearts”. He wasn’t the God of fire, it’s a common misconception with Logi a fire giant and personification of fire. All of this are characteristics of Loki. After they get what they wanted the Aesir keep treating Loki like shit because they do not need him. The medieval Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson listed her among the Aesir gods and goddesses. And that makes Him the God of Fire. Lokasenna ...", "Well, you see, Skadi was in love with Baldur, and never forgave Loki ...", "if magni is son of thor, then who is magni's son or children? A venomous serpent sits above him, dripping poison onto him. Check out our loki norse god selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our figurines shops. [10] Is this any wonder, given that his character is virtually the antithesis of traditional Norse values of honor, loyalty, and the like – and that he is ultimately a traitor to the divinities the Norse held in such reverence? Jotunn fathers birth their children so he came out of farbauti his father. So Baldur must remain with Hel. (and later he devorced her because she’s an evil witch…more or less). In the Prose Edda Snorri Sturluson writes that Loki: is handsome and fair of face, but has an evil disposition and is very changeable of mood. Or almost that. A great story teller has to elaborate and improvise sometimes. p. 363. [6] Saxo Grammaticus. The tales of the gods, even to the northmen were NOT modes of teaching ethics and morality. Loki is the father, by the giantess Angrboda (Angrboða, “Anguish-Boding”), of Hel, the goddess of the underworld; Jormungand, the great serpent who slays Thor during Ragnarok; and Fenrir, the wolf who bites off one of the hands of Tyr and who kills Odin during Ragnarok – hardly a reputable brood, to say the least. It has caught my attention though that Loki does seem similar to Old Coyote within some, and many, Native American legends. Loki isn't a very picky God, so any offering made with a clean heart and sincere devotion is never rejected. He is son of laufey (thin needle) and farbauti (cruel striker). Tricksters are bringers of Change and Transformation, not harbingers of Evil. His other children include the goddess Hel (Hella, Holle), and Sleipnir, Odin’s 8-legged horse. That’s why His birth is described in that way. Insted of trying to prove who or what is right, why not simply re-read this site’s list of Norse myths? From shop ShopStephenMichaels. (Id totally fight on Loki’s side if Ragnarok came right now). This proposed meaning of Loki’s name powerfully resonates with his role in Norse mythology in two ways. As all of the gods are drinking in the hall of Ægir the giant, Loki, after killing a servant but being allowed back into the hall because he is Odin’s blood brother, goes on an insult-spree in which he slanders and accuses many of those present. Learn how your comment data is processed. But when new religion started to take over, some of Gods were “taken” from the old religion and given new roles. In contrast with popular movies, Loki is actually Thor's step-uncle, not his brother. Obviously, Loki was not anti-Aesir. In Á austrvega: Saga and East Scandinavia: Preprint Papers of the 14th International Saga Conference. Loki is the father of Hel, the goddess of the land of the dead. p. 138. The most likely scenario is that he is the child of the giants Laufey and Farbauti and then was taken in by Odin (whether he became Odin’s brother or Thor’s brother depends on what you read). That Loki in the end turns on the gods and starts Ragnarok also is an embodiment of chaos and renewal. In Norse mythology, Sigyn is an ásynja goddess, her parents are unknown, but it is generally believed that her ancestry is the Aesir. For example, I don’t know about Loki and Odin but from what I’ve read Loki was born of two giants, Thor’s mother is a giantess and Frigg’s main rival, One of Odin’s parents is also jötunn and Balder, the god who Loki killed, is one of the sons of Odin and Frigg. Recently, however, the philologist Eldar Heide may have solved this puzzle. In the Marvel … He was as much of a warrior as any, cunning, sly, powerful and had an ability to change his shape freely. He kills out of anger or other emotions. Hel retorts that if this is so, then it shouldn’t be difficult to compel every being in the world to weep for Baldur, and, should this happen, the dead god would be released from the grave. Unless it were brought for us both.” "Tyr was the only one kind to Fenrir, even playing with him as ...", "I would like to add that there is a theory that associating the ...", "Loki admitted to being there and helping the gods kill Thjassi her father. [3] Simek, Rudolf. Without the exciting, unstable, flawed figure Loki, there would be no change in the fixed order of things, no quickening pulse, and no Ragnarok. His familial relations attest to this. He has been compared to a number of European and other mythological figures, most notably the Trickster of Native American mythology. 2009. A human-sized female probably wouldn’t survive getting with a giant, but a giantess would have no trouble with a human-sized male) – Loki is apparantly quite a good-looking dude, and occasionally a good-looking woman. Sleipnir with Svadilfari, Hel, fenrir (or fenris) and Jormungander with Angraboda. [1] I find Loki interesting, but the lack of factual info on him in the web today is stunning. A fascinating variant of the tale of Loki’s being bound comes to us from the medieval Danish historian Saxo Grammaticus. The Potential of Late Evidence. Loki is a trickster god and one of the most important adversaries of the Norse gods. Loki, in Norse mythology, a cunning trickster who had the ability to change his shape and sex. No he is NOT Thors brother but Odins brother. At least that is how I see it. According to one Old Norse poem, he even captains the ship Naglfar, Nail Ship, which brings many of the giants to their battle with the gods. In actual myth, Loki and Odin were adopted brothers, rather than Loki and Thor, though this brotherhood was not of blood and only served as a political stance, as Odin could thus keep an eye on Loki and influence him, as he held line to Jotunheim’s throne. even yhe pre Christian myths didn’t paint him as a petty cruel figure. More Inroads to Pre-Christian Notions, After All? p. 284. According to one Old Norse poem, he even captains the ship Naglfar, “Nail Ship,” which brings many of the giants to their battle with the gods. People forget that these ancient tails were an oral tradition which slowly made its way around the world. Often without thought of the consequenses. His accusations against the gods at Aegir’s feast (Myth 30) are vicious. That’s the way religions work. (a very choppy version, but actual mythos nonetheless). It's important to remember that "trickster" does not mean someone who plays fun jokes and pranks–Loki's trickery is all about mischief and mayhem. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. However, He does have favorite things, as I … Odin And Loki are actually blood brothers. Loki was the son of Farbauti and Laufey. Could it be that, like the Olympians and in what is hinted in Slavic evidence, that there were three brother gods? Loki was Odin’s adopted son. Loki embodies the ambiguous and darkening relationship between the gods and the giants. First there was Loge God of Fire and everything that goes with it, then there was Loki, God of Mischief, then Christianity came and Loki became more and more evil, even though there should be no such thing as evil or good in Norse religion. One thing is for certain, according to the sagas, Loki is a half jötunn, half Aesir, and could possibly be an ancient “god”, I put this in quotation marks. And its the world of the giants just giants generic…. 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