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Óðr

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In Norse mythology, Óðr is a figure associated with the major goddess Freyja. Two sources describe him as fathering the beautiful Hnoss and, in another source, also Gersemi, with Freyja. Óðr is often theorized to be a hypostasis of Odin due to their similarities.

Etymology

The Old Norse noun óðr may be the origin of the theonym Óðinn (Anglicized as Odin), and it means "mind"[1], "soul" or "spirit"[2][3][4] (so used in stanza 18.1 of the Poetic Edda poem Völuspá). In addition, óðr can also mean "song"[1], "poetry"[1][2] and "inspiration",[2] and it has connotations of "possession".[5] It is derived from a Proto-Germanic *wōð- or *wōþ- and it is related to Gothic wôds ("raging"[6] "possessed" (δαιμονιζομενον)[7]), Old High German wuot ("fury"[6] "rage, to be insane"[7]) and the Anglo-Saxon words wód ("fury",[6] "rabies"[7]) and wóð ("song",[6] "cry[6] "voice", "song", "poetry", "eloquence"[7]). Old Norse derivations include œði "strong excitation, possession".[7]

Ultimately these Germanic words are derived from the Proto-Indo-European word *wāt-,[6] which meant "to blow (on), to fan (flames)", fig. "to inspire".[7] The same root also appears in Latin vātēs ("seer",[6][7]"singer"[7]), which is considered to be a Celtic loanword, compare to Irish fāith ("poet", but originally "excited", "inspired").[6] The root has also been said to appear in Sanskrit vátati "to inspire",[7] but if so it would be because of Indo-European ablaut.[1]

Attestation

Poetic Edda

Óðr is mentioned in stanza 25 of the Poetic Edda poem Völuspá. The name appears in a kenning for the major goddess Freyja; "Óð's girl", pointing to a relation with the goddess.

Stanza 47 of the poem Hyndluljóð contains mention of a figure by the name of Óði. There, Hyndla taunts Freyja, stating that Freyja had ran to Óði, "always full of desire". The identification with Óð is uncertain; it has been theorized that this may simply be Oðr, or that the figure may be another lover of Freyja's.[8] Further, the reference has been described as "puzzling" as no other information is provided regarding the situation referred to by Hyndla.[9]

Prose Edda

In section 35 of the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning, Óðr is introduced. There, he is described as the husband of Freyja, and the two are described as having produced a daughter, Hnoss, so beautiful that her name is used as a word for an extremely valuable and beautiful treasure. Óðr is described in this section as traveling far away, while Freyja stays behind. In his absence, she cries tears of red gold and that while searching for him in distant lands, she goes by many different names.

Heimskringla

In chapter 1 of the 13th century kings' saga Heimskringla, Snorri Sturluson refers to the two in an euhemerized account:

"Njord's daughter Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices... Her husband was called Óðr, and her daughters Hnoss and Gersemi. They were so very beautiful, that afterwards the most precious jewels were called by their names."[10]

Connections with Odin

Óðr is often connected to Odin (Old Norse: Óðinn), the head of the Æsir in Norse mythology, by way of etymological similarities between the two,[9] the fact that both are described as going on long journeys and through the connections between Freyja, the wife of Óðr, and Frigg, the wife of Odin.

Theories have been proposed that Freyja, wife of Óðr, and Frigg, wife of Odin, were likely originally two versions of the same goddess (see Connections between Frigg and Freyja), therefore Óðr has been theorized as a doublet or another name of Odin.

H.R. Ellis Davidson proposes that the cult of the Vanir may have influenced the cult of the Æsir in the waning days of Norse paganism during the Christianization of Scandinavia, potentially resulting in the figure of Óðr in Norse mythology, which she refers to as a "strange double of Odin".[11]

The lexeme is also part of the name of Hermóðr, a son of Odin.

Viktor Rydberg further associated Óðr with Óttar and with Svipdag.[citation needed] According to Rydberg,[citation needed] Óðr is maybe the same as Óttar ("otter"), Freyja's protégé in Hyndlulíoð, whom Hyndla referred to as "Freyja's man". Freyja, on the other hand, is sometimes referred to as "Óðr's bride".

References

  1. ^ a b c d Hellquist, Elof. (1922) Svensk Etymologisk Ordbok, page 451. Available online: [1]
  2. ^ a b c Sigurd Nordal (1980), Völuspá, Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, pg. 48.
  3. ^ Sigurd Nordal (1980), Völuspá, Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, pg. 48.
  4. ^ Jacob Grimm und Wilhelm Grimm (1854-1960), Deutsches Wörterbuch, Leipzig: S. Hirzel; Volume 30, Collumn 2474.
  5. ^ Rudolph Simek (1995), Lexikon der germanischen Mythology, Stuttgart:Kröner; pg. 308.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Hellquist, Elof. (1922) Svensk Etymologisk Ordbok, page 542. Available online:[2]
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Jacob Grimm und Wilhelm Grimm (1854-1960), Deutsches Wörterbuch, Leipzig: S. Hirzel; Volume 30, Collumn 2475.
  8. ^ Larrington, Carolyne. (Trans.) (1999) The Poetic Edda, page 296. Oxford World's Classics ISBN 0192839462
  9. ^ a b Lindow, John. (2001) Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs, page 246. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-515382-0. Cite error: The named reference "LINDOW" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  10. ^ Hollander, Lee M. (Trans.) (1991) Heimskringla: History of the Kings of Norway University of Texas Press ISBN 0292730616
  11. ^ Ellis Davidson, H. R. (1965) Gods And Myths Of Northern Europe, page 154. ISBN 0140136274
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