What does the name Fárbauti mean in Old Norse?
The Old Norse name Fárbauti translates to dangerous striker, anger striker, or sudden-striker. This compound word combines the noun for hostility with the verb meaning to strike.
Questions about Fárbauti
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who are the parents of Loki according to Gylfaginning and Skáldskaparmál?
Gylfaginning states that Loki is the son of the jötunn named Fárbauti. High identifies Laufey or Näl as Loki's mother while Skáldskaparmál lists Fárbauti among kennings referring to his son Loki.
When did Axel Kock publish his theory about Fárbauti representing wildfire phenomena?
Kock published these ideas in 1899 within Indogermanische Forschungen. He suggested lightning acts as the dangerous striker producing fire from dry tinder.
Which 10th-century skalds refer to Loki as the son of Fárbauti?
Ulfr Uggason describes Loki as Fárbauti's terribly sly son in one of his verses. Thjodolf of Hvinir also mentions Loki simply as Fárbauti's son in another poem.
Are Helblindi and Byleistr sons of Fárbauti based on Völuspá kennings?
Scholars discuss whether Helblindi and Byleistr are also sons of Fárbauti based on Völuspá kennings. A kenning in Völuspá mentions Loki as Byleist's brother without naming their father explicitly.