Fárbauti (Old Norse) is ajötunn inNorse mythology. In all sources, he is portrayed as the father ofLoki. Fárbauti is attested in theProse Edda and inkennings ofViking Ageskalds.
TheOld Norse nameFárbauti has been translated as 'dangerous striker',[1] 'anger striker',[2] or 'sudden-striker'.[3] It is acompound formed with the nounfár ('hostility, danger, unfortunateness, falseness') attached to the verbbauta ('to strike').[4]
Two 10th-centuryskalds call Loki "son of Fárbauti", using, however, the poetic wordmögr for 'son' rather than the usualsonr.[2]
TheskaldÚlfr Uggason is quoted referring to Loki as "Fárbauti's terribly sly son",[5] and the skaldÞjóðólfr of Hvinir mentions Loki as "Fárbauti's son".[6]
Renowned defender [Heimdall] of the powers’ way [Bifröst], kind of counsel, competes with Farbauti’s terribly sly son [Loki] at Singastein
— Úlfr Uggason, Skáld. 16–17, trans. A. Faulkes, 1987.
The gracious lord of earth [Odin] bade Farbauti’s son [Loki] quickly share the bow-string-Var’s [Skadi’s] whale [ox] among the fellows.
— Þjóðólfr of Hvinir, Skáld. 22, trans. A. Faulkes, 1987.
InGylfaginning ('The Beguiling ofGylfi'), the enthroned figure ofHigh states that Loki is the son of thejötunn Fárbauti,[2] and that "Laufey or Nál is his mother".[7]
His name is Loki or Lopt, son of the giant Farbauti. Laufey or Nal is his mother. Byleist and Helblindi are his brothers.
— Gylfaginning, 27–34, trans. A. Faulkes, 1987.
InSkáldskaparmál ('The Language of Poetry'), Fárbauti is mentioned amongkennings referring to his son Loki.[8]
How shall Loki be referred to? By calling him son of Farbauti and Laufey, of Nal, brother of Byleist and Helblindi...
— Skáldskaparmál, 8–16, trans. A. Faulkes, 1987.
Axel Kock has proposed Fárbauti's name and character may have been inspired by the observation of the natural phenomena surrounding the appearance ofwildfire. IfFárbauti as "dangerous striker" refers to "lightning", the figure would appear to be part of an early nature myth alluding to wildfire (Loki) being produced by lightning (Fárbauti) striking dry tinder such as leaves (Laufey) or pine needles (Nál).[9]
Although only indirectly attested in a kenning ofVöluspá ('Prophecy of theVölva') mentioning Loki as "Byleist’s brother",[3] some scholars have considered Loki's brothersHelblindi andBýleistr to also be sons of Fárbauti.[10] However, their exact role in the presumably ancient mythic complex surrounding Loki's family remains largely unclear.[11]
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