Sköll
The Old Norse name Sköll carries the weight of treachery or mockery. Andy Orchard notes this translation in his 1997 Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Rudolf Simek confirms the same meaning in his 2007 work on Northern mythology. These definitions frame the creature not just as a beast but as an embodiment of betrayal. The word itself suggests a deep cultural fear of deception within the sky. Ancient speakers likely used this term to describe something that could not be trusted. The sound of the name echoes through centuries of oral tradition before reaching written records.
Snorri Sturluson recorded the story of Sol driving her chariot across the heavens. He described how the sun moves at a great pace while a pursuer follows close behind. The text states there is nothing she can do but flee from the wolf. This specific account appears in Snorri's Prose Edda during the description of the Sun. The narrative identifies the chasing wolf by the name Skoll. It also mentions that the one pursuing her is called Skoll, which means Treachery. The text further claims he will catch her at the end of the world. This passage establishes the chase as a central element of the mythological framework.
The prophecy foretells that the wolves will chase the Sun and Moon until Ragnarök arrives. At that final moment, the wolves catch up to their celestial targets. They then devour the beings who represent the light sources for the earth. Sköll specifically devours the Sun goddess Sól when the time comes. Hati Hróðvitnisson performs the same act against Máni, the personified Moon. These events mark the destruction phase of the Norse cosmic cycle. The swallowing of the stars signals the beginning of the end times. No escape remains once the chase concludes its long duration.
Rudolf Simek proposed that Sköll might be another name for Fenrir himself. He suggests these three figures could be one and the same entity in different contexts. The theory posits that Sköll and Hati are sons of the wolf Fenrir and an unnamed giantess. If they share an identity with Fenrir, the nature-mythological interpretation gains new weight. Simek argues this connection helps explain why the wolves pursue the sun and moon. The hypothesis links the father figure directly to the offspring's actions in the sky. This view challenges the idea that they are distinct individuals with separate roles.
Nature-mythological theories link the wolves to parhelia and paraselenae phenomena. These optical effects appear as Sun dogs or Moon dogs in Scandinavian languages. Rudolf Simek theorizes the wolves derive from the Hyades star cluster within Taurus. The stars form a V shape that resembles the open mouth of a wolf. This visual pattern likely inspired the ancient naming of the celestial pursuers. Such interpretations suggest the myths describe actual atmospheric events observed by early Scandinavians. The movement of light across the sky mirrors the chase described in the Prose Edda.
Common questions
What does the name Sköll mean in Norse mythology?
The Old Norse name Sköll carries the weight of treachery or mockery. Rudolf Simek confirms this meaning in his 2007 work on Northern mythology while Andy Orchard notes it in his 1997 Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend.
Who recorded the story of Sköll chasing the Sun goddess Sól?
Snorri Sturluson recorded the story of Sol driving her chariot across the heavens in his Prose Edda during the description of the Sun. The text states there is nothing she can do but flee from the wolf named Skoll who pursues her at a great pace.
When will Sköll catch and devour the Sun according to prophecy?
The prophecy foretells that the wolves will chase the Sun and Moon until Ragnarök arrives at the end of the world. At that final moment, Sköll specifically devours the Sun goddess Sól when no escape remains once the chase concludes its long duration.
Is Sköll considered another name for Fenrir by scholars?
Rudolf Simek proposed that Sköll might be another name for Fenrir himself suggesting these three figures could be one and the same entity in different contexts. He suggests these three figures could be one and the same entity in different contexts where Sköll and Hati are sons of the wolf Fenrir and an unnamed giantess.
What natural phenomena link to nature-mythological theories about Sköll?
Nature-mythological theories link the wolves to parhelia and paraselenae phenomena which appear as Sun dogs or Moon dogs in Scandinavian languages. Rudolf Simek theorizes the wolves derive from the Hyades star cluster within Taurus forming a V shape that resembles the open mouth of a wolf.
All sources
2 references cited across the entry
- 1bookMyths of the NorsemenPatricia A. Dawson — Cavendish Square Publishing — 2015
- 2bookMITO NÓRDICO E A CONSTITUIÇÃO DO REAL SEGUNDO ERNST CASSIRERGabriela Ribeiro Da Silva Silva — Universidade Federal da Paraíba — 2020