Sól - Goddess of Norse Mythology
Sól (pronounced: "soul") also known as Sunna, is a goddess in Norse mythology who is associated with the Sun. According to legend, she is the daughter of Mundilfari and Glaur, and the wife of Glenr. Sól is known for driving her chariot, pulled by the horses Arvak and Alsvid, across the sky every day. She is also pursued by a wolf named Sköll or Fenrir, who seeks to devour her.
The name "Sól" in Old Norse runes is written as:
ᛋᚢᛚ
In Norse mythology, the Sun did not provide light; it emanated from the manes of Alsvid and Arvak. The Earth was protected from the excess heat of the Sun by Svalin, a shield located between the Earth and the Sun.
Sól is mentioned several times in the Poetic Edda, a collection of Old Norse poems. In Vafþrúðnismál, Odin asks the giant Vafþrúðnir about the origin of the Sun and the Moon. Vafþrúðnir replies that Mundilfari is the father of both Sól and Máni, and that they must roam the heavens every day to count the years for men. In another stanza, Odin asks Vafþrúðnir where another Sun will come from when Fenrir reaches the current Sun. Vafþrúðnir replies that before Álfröðull (Sól) is reached by Fenrir, she will have a daughter who will replace her in her task after the events predicted for Ragnarök.
In the poem Grímnismál, Odin says that facing the Sun is a shield called Svalin, and that if it fell polished side down, the mountains would burn. In stanza 39, Odin (named Grimnir) says that the Sun and the Moon are chased through the skies by wolves. The Sun, mentioned as the shining bride of the heavens, is chased by the wolf Sköll, while the Moon is chased by Hati Hróðvitnisson.
In the poem Alvíssmál, the god Thor questions the dwarf Alvíss about the Sun, asking him what the Sun is called in each of the worlds. Alvíss replies that she is called Sun by mankind, light by the gods, the "trickster of Dvalin" by the dwarves, "ever-bright" by the giant jötnar, "the precious wheel" by the Elves, and "all-bright" by the sons of the Æsir.
Sól is an important figure in Norse mythology, representing the power and beauty of the Sun. She is revered for her ability to bring light and warmth to the world, and for her bravery in the face of danger. Despite her eventual fate of being devoured by Fenrir, Sól remains a symbol of hope and renewal, as her daughter will take her place and continue her important task.
Please note that the information provided about Sól and Norse mythology is complex and may be subject to interpretation and debate. The myths and stories of Norse mythology have evolved and been passed down through oral tradition and written accounts, and there may be variations in the way they are told and understood. This information should be used as a general reference and not as a definitive source on the subject.
If you notice an error on this web page, please email us at contact@historylists.org and let us know about it. Please be sure to include a brief description of the mistake you have noticed, along with the location of the mistake on the web page (e.g., the specific section or paragraph where it appears). We appreciate your help in keeping our website accurate and will use the information you provide to make necessary updates as soon as possible. Thank you for your assistance!
Other Norse Gods and Goddesses
- Baldur (Æsir) - God of Light, Beauty, and Goodness
- Bragi (Æsir) - God of Poetry and Song
- Beyla (Æsir) - Goddess of Fertility and Prosperity
- Borr (Æsir) - Father of the Norse Gods
- Byggvir (Vanir) - God of Prosperity and Peace
- Dellingr (Æsir) - God of the Dawn and Justice
- Eir (Ásynjur) - Goddess of Healing and Compassion
- Forseti (Æsir) - God of Justice and Reconciliation
- Freyr (Vanir) - God of fertility, prosperity, and peace.
- Frigg (Ásynjur) - Goddess of marriage and fertility, also known as the queen of the gods.
- Fulla (Ásynjur) - Goddess of Fertility and Abundance
- Gefjon (Ásynjur) - Goddess of fertility and plowing.
- Gilling (Æsir) - A man who was drowned by the god Loki.
- Gjöll (Æsir) - A river that separates the land of the living from the land of the dead.
- Glaumvor (Æsir) - A giantess who was the mother of the god Heimdall.
- Gná (Ásynjur) - Goddess of the messenger of the gods.
- Gullinbursti (Æsir) - A magical boar that was a gift to the god Freyr from the dwarves.
- Gullveig (Vanir) - A goddess who was burned to death by the Æsir, but was reborn as the goddess Hecate.
- Heimdall (Æsir) - God of vigilance and guardian of the Bifröst.
- Hel (Æsir) - Goddess of death and ruler of the realm of the dead.
- Hermod (Æsir) - God of speed and messenger of the gods.
- Hildisvini (Æsir) - A magical boar that was a gift to the goddess Freyja from the dwarves.
- Hlin (Ásynjur) - Goddess of consolation and protection.
- Höðr (Æsir) - God of winter and darkness
- Hönir (Æsir) - One of the three creators of the world, along with Odin and Loki.
- Honir (Æsir) - God of communication and diplomacy.
- Idun (Ásynjur) - Goddess of youth and keeper of the golden apples of immortality.
- Jörd (Ásynjur) - Goddess of earth and fertility.
- Kvasir (Vanir) - God of wisdom and knowledge, who was created from the spit of the Æsir and the Vanir.
- Lóðurr (Æsir) - Described as being involved in the creation of the first humans.
- Lofn (Ásynjur) - Goddess of forbidden love and marriage.
- Loki (Æsir) - God of mischief, deception, and fire.
- Magni (Æsir) - God of strength, who will survive Ragnarök and rule the new world.
- Modi (Æsir) - God of anger, who will survive Ragnarök and rule the new world.
- Mimir (Æsir) - God of wisdom and knowledge, who guarded the well of wisdom.
- Nanna (Ásynjur) - Goddess of love and fertility, who was the wife of Balder.
- Njörd (Vanir) - God of the sea, wind, and fertility.
- Odin (Æsir) - Chief god and ruler of the gods, who was associated with war, wisdom, poetry, and magic.
- Rán (-) - Goddess of the sea and death by drowning.
- Saga (-) - Goddess of history, poetry, and wisdom.
- Sif (Ásynjur) - Goddess of fertility and abundance, who was the wife of Thor.
- Sigyn (Ásynjur) - Goddess of fidelity and loyalty, who was the wife of Loki.
- Sjöfn (Ásynjur) - Goddess associated with love.
- Skaði (Ásynjur) - Goddess of hunting, skiing, and winter.
- Snotra (Ásynjur) - Goddess associated with wisdom.
- Sól (Ásynjur) - Goddess of the sun.
- Thor (Æsir) - God of thunder, lightning, and protection, who was associated with strength and fertility.
- Týr (Æsir) - God of war and justice.
- Ullr (Æsir) - God of skiing, archery, and the hunt.
- Váli (Æsir) - God of revenge and justice, who was born to avenge the death of his brother Balder.
- Vár (Ásynjur) - Goddess of vows and agreements.
- Vé (Æsir) - One of the three creators of the world, along with Odin and Vili.
- Vili (Æsir) - One of the three creators of the world, along with Odin and Vé.