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Álfröðull (Old Norse "elf-beam"[1] or "elf-disc"[2]) is a term and common kenning in Norse mythology. It is ambiguous, referring both to the rider (the sun herself) and to the sun-chariot of the sun goddess Sól. Álfröðull is pulled by two horses, Árvakr and Alsviðr. The chariot is pursued by the wolf Sköll. According to Norse mythology, prior to Ragnarök, Álfröðull will give birth to a daughter and then be eaten by the wolf, but the daughter will take her place.
Vafþrúðnismál
According to the poem Vafþrúðnismál:
Óðinn kvað:
- "Hvaðan kemur sól
- á hinn slétta himin,
- þá er þessa hefur Fenrir farið?"
Vafþrúðnir kvað:
- "Eina dóttur
- ber Álfröðull,
- áður hana Fenrir fari.
- Sú skal ríða,
- þá er regin deyja,
- móður brautir mær."
Modern poetic English translation:
Odin spoke:
- "From whence will come the sun
- To span the skies,
- When Fenrir has destroyed the girl?"
Vafþrúðnir spoke:
- "A daughter born to Alfrodull,
- Before the Fenris wolf destroys her.
- The girl will ride her mother's paths
- When the gods are slain."
Notes
References
- Faulkes, Anthony (Trans.) (1995). Edda. Everyman. ISBN 0-4608-7616-3
- Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. ISBN 0 304 34520 2
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