Sól (Germanic mythology)

One of the two Merseburg Incantations, written in Old High German during the 9th or 10th century CE, mentions Sunna as a sister to Sinthgunt. This text describes Phol and Wodan riding to a wood where Balder's foal sprained its foot. Sinthgunt sang charms while her sister Sunna also sang charms alongside Friia and Volla before Wodan healed the bone. The incantation provides rare evidence for a West Germanic sun goddess distinct from Norse sources. Scholars rely on this fragmentary record to understand early solar worship across Germanic tribes. No other surviving texts name Sunna with such clarity outside these specific verses.

Norse Mythological Narratives

In the poem Völuspá, a dead völva recounts how the sun traveled from the south with the moon as her companion. Her right hand cast about heavenly horses yet she knew not where her dwelling lay. The Poetic Edda states that Mundilfari fathered both Sól and Máni to count years for men. Odin disguised as Grimnir described a shield named Svalinn protecting mountains and seas from burning embers. If this shield fell, the world would burn up under the sun's heat. Wolves Sköll and Hati Hróðvitnisson pursued the celestial bodies through the heavens daily. The Prose Edda confirms Sól drove horses named Árvakr and Alsviðr across the sky. Gods placed bellows beneath the horses' shoulders to cool them during their journey. These details establish her role as a divine charioteer in Norse cosmology.

Ragnarök And Cosmic Succession

High explains in chapter 53 of Gylfaginning that Sköll will eventually catch Sól despite her fear. The wolf Fenrir is destined to eat the sun during Ragnarök before the end of the world. Before this final battle occurs, Sól gives birth to a daughter who continues her mother's course. Vafþrúðnismál stanza 47 quotes this prophecy regarding the successor taking over the path. The daughter remains no less beautiful than her mother after the cosmic destruction. This succession ensures light returns to the new world following the apocalypse. The narrative suggests continuity rather than total annihilation of solar power.

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Who is Sunna in the Merseburg Incantations?

Sunna appears as a sister to Sinthgunt and sings charms alongside Friia and Volla. This 9th or 10th century Old High German text describes her role during Wodan's healing of Balder's foal.

What are the names of Sól's horses in Norse mythology?

Sól drives two horses named Árvakr and Alsviðr across the sky according to the Prose Edda. Gods placed bellows beneath their shoulders to cool them during their daily journey.

When will Sköll catch Sól during Ragnarök?

Sköll eventually catches Sól before the end of the world when Fenrir eats the sun. Her daughter then continues her mother's course to ensure light returns after the apocalypse.

How old is the Trundholm sun chariot artifact?

The Trundholm sun chariot from the Nordic Bronze Age predates written mythological records by more than two thousand years. It depicts the Sun being drawn by a horse-drawn wagon.

Which languages share linguistic roots with Norse Sól?

Proto-Indo-European connections link Norse Sól with Sanskrit Surya, Common Brittonic Sulis, Lithuanian Saulé, Latin Sol, and Slavic Tsar Solnitse. J.P. Mallory highlights these linguistic ties between Germanic and other Indo-European languages.

Sól (Germanic mythology)

Norse Mythological Narratives

Ragnarök And Cosmic Succession

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Common questions

Who is Sunna in the Merseburg Incantations?

What are the names of Sól's horses in Norse mythology?

When will Sköll catch Sól during Ragnarök?

How old is the Trundholm sun chariot artifact?

Which languages share linguistic roots with Norse Sól?

Archaeological Evidence And Artifacts

Linguistic Roots And Etymology

Scholarly Interpretations Of Personification