|
|
|
|
Sif
|
| |
|
| |
Sif ("In-law-relationship") is a goddess in Norse mythology. Sif only appears in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson. In these two sources, she is known for her golden hair, as the wife of the major god Thor and, in the euhemerized prologue of the Prose Edda, as the most beautiful of women. A number of theories surround the figure.
In surviving tales, Sif is the mother of Ţrúđr, by Thor, and mother of the seemingly once major god Ullr by a father unrecorded in surviving sources. However, the source lists Thor as his stepfather without further explanation. Sif Mons, a mons of the planet Venus, is named after Sif.
Poetic EddaIn the Poetic Edda, Sif appears in or is mentioned in the poems Hárbarđsljóđ, Hymiskviđa (where Thor is referred to three times as the "Husband of Sif"), Lokasenna, and Ţrymskviđa (where the "Husband of Sif" kenning appears once more).
HárbarđsljóđIn stanza 48 of the Poetic Edda poem Hárbarđsljóđ, Odin (in the disguise of Hárbarđr) meets his son Thor at an inlet of a gulf. The two engage in flyting and Hárbarđr refuses to ferry Thor across the bay. Amongst numerous other insults, Hárbarđr claims that Sif has a lover at home. However, Thor responds that Hárbarđr is speaking carelessly and lying.
Prose EddaIn the Prose Edda, Sif is mentioned once in the prologue, in chapter 31 of Gylfaginning, and in Skáldskaparmál as a guest at Ćgir's feast (a reference to Lokasenna), the subject of a jötunn's desire, as having her hair shorn by Loki, and in various kennings.
PrologueSif is introduced in chapter three of Snorri's euhemerized account of the origins of Norse mythology serving as a Prologue for the Prose Edda. Snorri states that Thor married her and that she is known as "a prophetess called Sibyl, though we know her as Sif" though to the extent of this implication some debate has existed. Sif is further described as "the most loveliest of women" and with hair of gold. Although he lists her own ancestors as unknown, Snorri writes that Thor and Sif produced a son by the name of Lóriđi, who "took after his father". Lóriđi is attributed an extended genealogical list of descendants, including figures such as Godwulf and Odin, though outside of this continuity Odin is described as the father of Thor.
GylfaginningIn chapter 31 of Gylfaginning, Ullr is referred to as a son of Sif and a stepson of Thor though his father is not mentioned:
Ull is the name of one. The son of Sif, he is the stepson of Thor. He is so skillful a bowman and skier that no one can compete with him. He is beautiful to look at, and is an accomplished warrior. He is also a good person to pray to when in single combat.
SkáldskaparmálAs described in Skáldskaparmál, Thor engages in a duel with Hrungnir, there described as the strongest of the jötunn. Prior to this, Hrungnir had been boasting of his desire to, amongst other things, kill all of the gods except Freyja and Sif, whom he wanted to take home with him. However, at the duel, Hrungnir is quickly killed by the enraged Thor.
Further in Skáldskaparmál, Snorri relates a story where Loki cuts off Sif's hair as a prank. When Thor discovers this, he grabs hold of Loki, resulting in Loki swearing to have a headpiece made of gold to replace Sif's locks. Loki fulfills this promise by having a headpiece made by dwarves referred to as the "sons of Ivaldi". Along with the headpiece, the dwarves produced Odin's spear, Gungnir. Further, as the story progresses, this event leads to the creation of the ship Skíđblađnir and the boar Gullinbursti for Freyr, the multiplying ring Draupnir for Odin, and the mighty hammer Mjolnir for Thor. Sif also appears in Skáldskaparmál listed as a kenning for "earth", appears as a kenning for a gold-keeping woman, and once for Hildr.
TheoriesFields of wheatSif was so associated with her hair that in the Prose Edda book Skáldskaparmál, the "hair of Sif" is listed as a kenning for gold. English scholar H. R. Ellis Davidson states that Sif may have been an ancient fertility goddess, proposing the link between her lustrous hair and fields of golden wheat.
Understated importanceJohn Lindow proposes that a potentially understated mythological importance of Sif's role in the story of her sheered hair exists; her headpiece is created along with the most important and powerful items in Norse mythology. Lindow further states that it may be easy to lose sight of the central role Sif plays in the creation of these objects.
|
| |
|
|