Sleipnir: the story on HearLore

Sleipnir

In the 13th century, a collection of poems known as the Poetic Edda preserved the story of Sleipnir. This eight-legged horse appears in four specific poems within that compilation. The poem Grímnismál contains a verse where Odin, disguised as Grimnir, tells a boy named Agnar that Sleipnir is the best of all horses. Another poem called Sigrdrífumál instructs a hero named Sigurðr to cut runes on the teeth of this steed and on the strap-bands of his sledge. In Baldrs draumar, Odin saddles Sleipnir to travel to the location of Hel after receiving bad dreams about his son Baldr. The final mention occurs in Hyndluljóð, which states that Loki produced Sleipnir with the stallion Svaðilfari.

Origins And Birth Narrative

Snorri Sturluson wrote the Prose Edda in the 13th century to preserve these older stories. Chapter 42 of Gylfaginning details how Sleipnir came into existence during the early days of the gods' settlement. An unnamed builder offered to construct a fortification for the gods in three seasons if they gave him Freyja, the sun, and the moon. The gods agreed but required the work be finished without human help. The builder used a powerful stallion named Svaðilfari who performed twice the strength of any other horse. When the deadline approached, Loki transformed himself into a mare to distract Svaðilfari. The two horses ran off into the woods all night while the builder chased them. Loki later gave birth to a grey foal with eight legs from this union. This offspring became known as Sleipnir, described as the best horse among gods and men.

Archaeological Depictions

Two image stones from the island of Gotland dating to the 8th century depict an eight-legged horse. The Tjängvide image stone shows a rider sitting atop such a creature with a horizontal figure holding a spear above them. A female figure greets the rider with a cup on this same stone. Scholars interpret this scene as a rider arriving at the world of the dead. The Ardre VIII image stone also features a similar depiction of an eight-legged steed. Some researchers believe the mid-7th century Eggja stone may show Sleipnir under the Odinic name haras meaning army god. An English Runic Inscription from the 11th century is another artifact that some scholars think depicts this mythical animal.

What is the origin of Sleipnir according to Snorri Sturluson?

Snorri Sturluson wrote that Loki transformed into a mare to distract the stallion Svaðilfari, and their union produced a grey foal with eight legs known as Sleipnir. This event occurred during the early days of the gods' settlement when an unnamed builder was constructing a fortification for the gods.

Which poems in the Poetic Edda mention Sleipnir?

Sleipnir appears in four specific poems within the 13th century collection known as the Poetic Edda. These texts include Grímnismál where Odin calls him the best horse, Sigrdrífumál instructing Sigurðr to cut runes on his teeth, Baldrs draumar showing Odin traveling to Hel, and Hyndluljóð stating Loki produced him with Svaðilfari.

When were the image stones from Gotland created?

Two image stones from the island of Gotland dating to the 8th century depict an eight-legged horse. The Tjängvide image stone shows a rider arriving at the world of the dead while the Ardre VIII image stone features a similar depiction of this steed.

How do scholars interpret the eight legs of Sleipnir?

Hilda Ellis Davidson argued that the eight legs represent a funeral bier carried by four bearers which could be described as riding on a steed with eight legs. The Encyclopedia of Indo-European Culture suggests the extra legs are remnants of divine twins found in Proto-Indo-European religion.

What is the connection between Ásbyrgi canyon and Sleipnir?

Icelandic folklore claims the horseshoe-shaped canyon Ásbyrgi was formed by Sleipnir's hoof during a ride. This legend connects the physical landscape directly to the mythological actions of Odin's eight-legged horse.

Sleipnir

Origins And Birth Narrative

Archaeological Depictions

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Common questions

What is the origin of Sleipnir according to Snorri Sturluson?

Which poems in the Poetic Edda mention Sleipnir?

When were the image stones from Gotland created?

How do scholars interpret the eight legs of Sleipnir?

What is the connection between Ásbyrgi canyon and Sleipnir?

Scholarly Interpretations

Medieval Literary Appearances

Modern Cultural Legacy