in progress
A description of the origins of the worlds found in Gylfaginning.
text
Gylf ch. 4b
4b.
Gangleri mælti: "Hvað var upp... | Gangleri spoke: 'What was the... |
[status: unverified copy]
Gylf ch. 8b
8b. Creation from the flesh of Ýmir
Þá segir Gangleri: "Hvað höfð... | Then Gangleri replied: 'What ... |
[status: unverified copy]
commentary
context
Gylfaginning, which is part of Snorra Edda, was composed in Iceland in the 13th century, and holds the stories of many of the Pre-Christian myths of northern Europe. It is believe to have been composed by the Icelander Snorri Sturlusson. Snorra Edda consists of three separate parts, Gylfaginning, Skaldskápamáland Háttatal, all functioning together as a greater work and guide for the aspiring medieval poet and storyteller.
commentary
The Norse myths of cosmology, cosmogony and destruction is found in Snorri's Gylfaginning as well as in Völuspá, Grímnismál and Vafþrúðnismál. Parallels to details found in the Norse creation myths can be found in several Indo-European mythologies, such as the connection between the ON Ymir to the Indian Yima and the Iranian Yama. Etymologically, the names indicate the ideas of twins which may the androgynous ancient creature with abilities of creation. Amonst the surviving Germanic mythologies, the preserved Norse mythology is preservded in strong detail.
For more, see for example:
Andrén, A. (2014). Tracing Old Norse cosmology. The world tree, middle earth, and the sun from archaeological perspectives. Lund: Nordic Academic Press.
Andrén, A (ed.) (2004), Ordning mot kaos. Studier av nordisk förkristen kosmologi. Lund: Vägar til Midgård 4. pp. 145-179.
Ellis Davidson, H. R, (1990), Gods and Myths of Northern Europe. London: Penguin Books. pp. 190-210.
Hultgård, A. (2003), Old Scandinavian and Christian Eschatology, Old Norse and Finnish religions and cultic place-names, Tore Ahlbäck (ed.), Åbo. pp. 344-357
Simek, Rudolf (2007), Transl: Angela Hall. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Cambridge: D.S. Brewer. pp. 52-
Steinsland, Gro (2005), Norrøn Religion. Myter, Riter, Samfunn. Oslo: Pax Forlag. pp. 110-132.
Mundal, E. (1992), 'Snorri og Völuspá', Snorrastefna, Úlfar Bragasson (ed.), Rít Stofnun Sigurðar Nordals 1, Reykjavík. pp. 180-192.
(Contributed by Liv Marit Aurdal.)
tags
Main text: Gylfaginning
Attributes: Landscape Giants Death Fire Sword River Water Creation
Named things:
Text sections: SnSt, Gylf ch. 4b SnSt, Gylf ch. 8b