InNorse mythology,Lofn (Old Norse:[ˈlovn], possibly "comforter,"[1] "the comforter, the mild,"[2] or "loving"[3]) is agoddess. Lofn is attested in theProse Edda, written in the 13th century bySnorri Sturluson and inkennings found inskaldic poetry. In theProse Edda, Lofn is described as gentle in manner and as an arranger of marriages, even when they have been forbidden. Scholars have proposed theories about the implications of the goddess.
In chapter 35 of theProse Edda bookGylfaginning,High provides brief descriptions of 16ásynjur. High lists Lofn eighth and about her says that:
- 'She is so gentle and so good to invoke that she has permission fromAll-Father orFrigg to arrange unions between men and women, even if earlier offers have been received and unions have been banned. From her name comes the wordlof, meaning permission as well as high praise.'[4]
In theProse Edda bookSkáldskaparmál, Lofn is included among a list of 27 ásynjur names.[5] Elsewhere inSkáldskaparmál, Lofn appears in akenning for "woman" in a work by the skaldOrmr Steinþórsson.[6] Otherwise Lofn appears frequently as a base word in skaldic kennings for "woman."[7]
John Lindow says that scholars have generally followed Snorri'setymological connection with the rootlof-, meaning "praise." Lindow says that, along with many other goddesses, some scholars theorize that Lofn may simply be another name for the goddess Frigg.[7]Rudolf Simek theorizes that Snorri used skaldic kennings to produce hisGylfaginning commentary about the goddess, while combining several etymologies with the Old Norse personal nameLofn.[8]