Járnsaxa
Járnsaxa (/jɑːrnˈsæksə/; Old Norse: [ˈjɑːrnˌsɑksɑ], "iron dagger") is a jötunn in Norse mythology. In Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, she is portrayed as Thor's lover and as the mother of Magni, a three-year-old boy with prodigious force.[1]
| Járnsaxa | |
|---|---|
| Norse mythology character | |
| In-universe information | |
| Species | Jötunn |
| Gender | Female |
| Significant other | Thor |
| Children | Magni |
Name
The Old Norse name Járnsaxa has been translated as 'iron dagger',[2] or 'armed-with-an-iron-sword'.[1]
Attestations
In Hyndluljóð, Járnsaxa is named as one of the Nine Mothers of Heimdallr.[1]
In Skáldskaparmál, Thor's wife the goddess Sif is either herself called "Járnsaxa" or called by a kenning meaning "the rival of Járnsaxa",[3] throwing confusion on whether Sif is or is not distinct from Járnsaxa the mother of Magni.[4] At the end of the story, Odin argues that Thor did wrong to offer the splendid horse Gullfaxi to Magni, the son of a giantess, rather than to himself, the father of Thor.[1]
Notes
- Lindow 2002, p. 204.
- Orchard 1997, p. 97.
- Faulkes 1987, p. 86.
- Simek 1996, p. 178.
References
- Faulkes, Anthony (Trans.) (1987). Edda. Everyman. ISBN 0-460-87616-3.
- Lindow, John (2002). Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-983969-8.
- Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. ISBN 978-0-304-34520-5.
- Simek, Rudolf (1996). Dictionary of Northern Mythology. D.S. Brewer. ISBN 978-0-85991-513-7.