Binding of Fenrir

Chapters

1. 01

   A Dangerous Kindred Brought Before the Gods

   Loki and Angrboda's children are treated as future dangers, and Odin brings them within divine control.

   LokiAngrbodaFenrirOdinRagnarok
2. 02

   Only Tyr Feeds Him

   Fenrir grows among the gods, who fear him; Tyr alone dares to approach and feed him.

   TyrFenrir
3. 03

   Laedingr Breaks

   The gods frame the first binding as a test with Laedingr, and Fenrir breaks it with force.

   FenrirBinding of Fenrir
4. 04

   Dromi Fails Too

   The stronger Dromi also fails, showing the gods that visible strength is not enough.

   FenrirBinding of Fenrir
5. 05

   Gleipnir Comes from the Black Elves' Region

   Odin sends for a dwarven-made fetter from the Black Elves' region: Gleipnir, soft as silk yet strong enough for Fenrir.

   OdinGleipnirSvartalfheimBinding of Fenrir
6. 06

   The Pledge on Lyngvi

   The gods bring Fenrir to Lyngvi in Lake Amsvartnir; Fenrir asks for a hand in his mouth as pledge, and Tyr agrees.

   FenrirTyrGleipnirAmsvartnir and LyngviBinding of Fenrir
7. 07

   Gleipnir Tightens, Tyr Loses His Hand

   The more Fenrir struggles, the tighter Gleipnir holds; when he realizes he cannot escape, he bites off Tyr's hand.

   FenrirTyrGleipnirBinding of Fenrir
8. 08

   The Binding Is Fastened Deep

   The gods draw Gelgja through the end of Gleipnir, anchor it to the Gjoll stone, and fasten it deeper at Thviti.

   FenrirGleipnirGelgjaGjoll Binding StoneThviti
9. 09

   The Sword and River Van

   The gods prop Fenrir’s mouth open with a sword, and the slaver running from it becomes River Van.

   FenrirSword in Fenrir's MouthRiver Van
10. 10

    He Is Fastened Until Ragnarok

    The binding delays Fenrir, but does not cancel the prophecy that he remains for Ragnarok and Odin.

    FenrirRagnarokOdinBinding of Fenrir

Ancient sources

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

• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 34, Loki, Angrboda and their three children
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 34, the gods taking Loki's children, Fenrir's growth and Tyr feeding him
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 34, Fenrir remaining until Ragnarok and the prophecy that he will be Odin's bane
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 25, Tyr's hand as pledge and Fenrir biting it off
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 34, Fenrir breaking Laedingr and Dromi
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 34, Odin sending for Gleipnir to be made in the Black Elves' region
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 34, Lyngvi in Lake Amsvartnir and Tyr's hand pledge
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 34, Gleipnir tightening, Gelgja, Gjoll, Thviti, the sword and river Van