Hymir
Hymir(Old Norse:[ˈhymez̠]) is ajötunninNorse mythology,and the owner of a brewing-cauldronfetched by thethunder godThorforÆgir,who wants to hold a feast for theÆsir(gods). InHymiskviða,Hymir is portrayed as the father ofTýr,but inSkáldskaparmál,Odinis Týr's father.
Name[edit]
Theetymologyof theOld NorsenameHymirremains unclear.[1]It is perhaps related to theNorwegianhumen('limp, weary') orhumre('whinny'; compare withMHGhummen'hum').[2]Andy Orchardhas proposed the translation 'creeper'.[3]
Hymiris often used inkenningsas a modifier forjötnarr.[1]
Attestations[edit]
HymiskviðaandGylfaginning[edit]
Hymiskviðarecounts how Thor and Týr obtain the cauldron from Hymir. His skull is unusually hard, and Thor breaks a cup by throwing it at Hymir's head.
Hymiskviðaalso recounts Thor's fishing forJörmungandr,the Midgard serpent.[4]Thor goes fishing with Hymir, using the head of Hymir's best ox for bait, and catches Jörmungandr, who then either breaks loose[5]or, as told in theGylfaginningof theProse Edda,is cut loose by Hymir.[6]TheProse Eddaprovides the additional detail that while Thor was attempting to pull Jörmungandr in, his feet went through the bottom of the boat.[6]
Hymir is also portrayed inHymiskviðaas ajötunnand the father of the godTýr.ScholarJohn Lindownotes that this may be a unique situation inNorse mythology,for ifLokialso has a jötunn father,Fárbauti,he is only "enumerated among theÆsir"asSnorri Sturlusonputs it inGylfaginning,and thus not really part of their group.[7]
Picture stones[edit]
This encounter between Thor and Jörmungandr seems to have been one of the most popular motifs in Norse art. Threepicture stoneshave been linked with the story and show Hymir: theArdre VIII image stone,theHørdum stone,and theGosforth Cross.[8]A stone slab that may be a portion of a second cross at Gosforth also shows a fishing scene using an ox head for bait.[9]The legend is also depicted on theAltuna Runestone,but its image does not show Hymir, possibly due to the narrow shape of that stone.
References[edit]
- ^abLindow 2001,p. 190.
- ^de Vries 1962,p. 275.
- ^Orchard 1997,p. 192.
- ^Davidson, Hilda Ellis(1993).The Lost Beliefs of Northern Europe.Routledge. pp. 50–53.ISBN0-203-40850-0.
- ^Bellows, Henry Adams (transl.)(1936). "Hymiskviða".The Poetic Edda.pp. 144–147.
- ^abSnorri Sturluson;Brodeur, Arthur Gilchrist (transl.)(1916). "Gylfaginning".The Prose Edda.The American-Scandinavian Foundation.pp. 69–70.
- ^Lindow 2001,pp. 190, 208.
- ^Sørensen, Preben M. (2002). "Þorr's Fishing Expedition (Hymiskviða)". In Acker, Paul; Larrington, Carolyne (eds.).The Poetic Edda: Essays on Old Norse Mythology.Williams, Kirsten (trans.). Routledge. pp. 119–138.ISBN0-8153-1660-7.p. 122-123, 127-128.
- ^Fee, Christopher R.; Leeming, David A. (2001).Gods, Heroes, & Kings: The Battle for Mythic Britain.Oxford University Press. p. 36.ISBN0-19-513479-6.
Bibliography[edit]
- de Vries, Jan(1962).Altnordisches Etymologisches Worterbuch(1977 ed.). Brill.ISBN978-90-04-05436-3.
- Lindow, John(2001).Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs.Oxford University Press.ISBN978-0-19-983969-8.
- Orchard, Andy(1997).Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend.Cassell.ISBN978-0-304-34520-5.
