Odin and the Poetic Mead

Chapters

1. 01

   Kvasir Is Made from Peace

   At their peace-making, Aesir and Vanir leave spittle in one vat, from which the gods make all-wise Kvasir.

   Aesir-Vanir SettlementKvasirOdin
2. 02

   Dwarves Brew Blood into Mead

   Fjalar and Galar kill Kvasir, collect his blood in three vessels and mix it with honey into the poetic mead.

   KvasirFjalarGalarPoetic Mead
3. 03

   The Mead Becomes a Ransom

   After Fjalar and Galar kill Gillingr and his wife, Suttungr strands them on a reef; they exchange the mead for their lives.

   FjalarGalarSuttungrPoetic Mead
4. 04

   Gunnlod Guards the Mountain

   Suttungr hides the mead at Hnitbjorg and puts his daughter Gunnlod in charge of it.

   SuttungrGunnlodHnitbjorgPoetic Mead
5. 05

   Bolverkr Bargains for a Drink

   Odin, calling himself Bolverkr, causes Baugi's nine workers to kill one another and bargains a summer's labour for a drink of mead.

   OdinBaugiPoetic Mead
6. 06

   Rati Opens the Rock

   Baugi first falsely claims the rock is bored through; Odin detects it, makes him bore again and becomes a serpent to enter the hole.

   OdinBaugiRatiHnitbjorg
7. 07

   Three Draughts Empty Three Vessels

   Odin stays three nights with Gunnlod, who permits three draughts; each draught empties one vessel of mead.

   OdinGunnlodPoetic Mead
8. 08

   An Eagle Returns with the Mead

   Odin flees as an eagle with Suttungr in pursuit; in Asgard he spits the mead into vessels prepared by the gods.

   OdinSuttungrPoetic MeadAsgard

Ancient sources

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

• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Skaldskaparmal, Chapter 1: Kvasir, the dwarves' mead, Suttungr, Gunnlod, Baugi, Rati and Odin's return to Asgard