Vidar

Overview

Vidar appears in Ragnarok as Odin’s avenger. Chapter 51 says that after Fenrir swallows Odin, Vidar steps forward, sets his foot on the wolf’s lower jaw and tears its mouth apart. Vafthruthnismol also preserves the poetic claim that he avenges his father.

Relationships

• Fenrirslays in vengeance

  Vidar sets his foot on Fenrir’s lower jaw and tears the wolf’s mouth apart, avenging Odin.

• Renewal after Ragnarokremains after the fire

  Vidar survives sea and Surtr’s fire, dwelling on Ida-Plain where Asgard once stood.

• Gridrmother of

  Skaldskaparmal chapter 18 calls Gridr the mother of Vidar the Silent.

• Lokigives a drink to

  Vidar gives Loki a drink at Odin’s word.

Story appearances

• RagnarokOdin’s avenger

  Vidar kills Fenrir after Odin is swallowed.

• Thor at Geirrod's HallGridr's son

  Vidar is named in this chapter as Gridr's son.

• Lokasenna: Ægir’s FeastFeast figure in Lokasenna

  Odin’s son, who kills the wolf after Fenrir swallows Odin.

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 51, Odin and Fenrir, Vidar’s vengeance, Thor and Jormungandr, Freyr and Surtr, Tyr and Garm, Loki and Heimdall
• Anonymous, Poetic Edda, Voluspo, Bellows stanzas 40-58, wolves, Garm, Gjallarhorn, Yggdrasil, Hrym, Naglfar, Loki, Surtr, Odin and Fenrir, Vidar, Thor and Jormungandr
• Anonymous, Poetic Edda, Vafthruthnismol, Bellows stanzas 44-53, Lif and Lifthrasir, the sun’s daughter, Vidar and Vali, Modi and Magni, Odin’s doom and Vidar’s vengeance