Gullveig (Old Norse:[ˈɡulːˌwɛiɣ]) is a female figure inNorse mythology associated with thelegendary conflict between theÆsir andVanir. In the poemVöluspá, she came to the hall ofOdin (Hár) where she is speared by theÆsir, burnt three times, and yet thrice reborn. Upon her third rebirth, she began practicingseiðr and took the nameHeiðr.[1]
Gullveig/Heiðr is solely attested in thePoetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional material. Scholars have variously proposed that Gullveig/Heiðr is the same figure as the goddessFreyja, that Gullveig's death may have been connected to corruption by way of gold among the Æsir, and/or that Gullveig's treatment by the Æsir may have led to theÆsir–Vanir War.
Theetymology of theOld Norse nameGullveig remains uncertain. It is acompound formed with the Old Norse word for 'gold' (gull), yet the second element–found in other personal names likeRannveig,Sölveig, orThórveig–remains obscure. It could have meant 'power, strength' (cf.Icelandicveig,Faroeseveiggj), 'intoxicating drink' (cf.Norwegianveigja), possibly 'lady' (cf. Norw.veiga) or even 'gold, gold thread' (cf.Old Englishwāg,Old Saxonwēg).[2] The name has been variously translated as 'Gold-drink', 'Gold-drunk',[3] or as 'Gold-draught'.[4]Gullveig is sometimes held to be a personification of gold itself, purified through repeated smelting.[4]
The nameHeiðr, which in adjectival form means 'bright, clear',[5] issemantically related. ScholarRudolf Simek comments that although Gullveig's name changes toHeiðr, the meaning still remains basically the same.[6]
Gullveig is solely attested in astanza ofVöluspá (Prophecy of theVölva) immediately preceding the story of theÆsir–Vanir War.[4] A völva (seeress) recalls that Gullveig was pierced by spears before being burnt three times in the hall ofHárr (one ofOdin's names), and yet was three times reborn. Presumably after her burning, Gullveig became known asHeiðr, a knowledgeable völva who could perform great feats:
H. A. Bellows translation (1923):
- The war I remember, the first in the world,
- When the gods with spears had smitten Gollveig,
- And in the hall of Hor had burned her,
- Three times burned, and three times born,
- Oft and again, yet ever she lives.
- Heith they named her who sought their home
- The wide-seeing witch, in magic wise;
- Minds she bewitched that were moved by her magic,
- To evil women a joy she was.[7]
A. Orchard translation (1997): Then [the sibyl] remembered the first great war in the world,
when they stabbed at Gullveig with spears,
and they burned her in Odin ’s hall;
thrice they burned the thrice-bom girl,
often, not once, but still she lived.
They called her heid, when she came to the house,
a sibylline witch, who knew the skill of wands,
she practisedseid where she could, practisedseid in a trance;
she was always a delight to wicked women.[4]
J. Lindow translation (2001): She remembers the war of peoples first in the world,
When Gullveig with spears they studded
And in Hár’s hall burned her;
Thrice burned, thrice born,
Often, unseldom, though she yet lives.
Heid they called her, wherever she came to houses,
A seeress skilled in prophecy, she observed magic staffs;
She performedseid, wherever she could, she performedseid in a trance,
She was ever the joy of an evil woman.[8]
Starting with scholarGabriel Turville-Petre, many scholars such asRudolf Simek andJohn Lindow have theorized that Gullveig/Heiðr is the same figure as Freyja.[6][3] Lindow notes that "sinceYnglinga saga says that Freyja first broughtseid to theæsir, it is not impossible that Gullveig is Freyja, and that she broughtseid to the æsir in the first instance either as a strategy in the war, or that her bringing of seid started the war."[1] Orchard further mentions that Freyja, like Gullveig, is associated with gold and with the form of magic known asseid.[4]
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