Fárbauti

For the moon of Saturn named after Fárbauti, see Farbauti (moon).

In Norse mythology, Fárbauti (Old Norse: "cruel striker") is the jötunn husband of Laufey or Nál and the father of Loki, and possibly also of Helblindi and Byleistr. He is attested in the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson, and in the poetry of Viking Age skalds. Fárbauti's name and character are thought to have been inspired by the observation of the natural phenomena surrounding the appearance of wildfire.

Punishment of Loki, who is depicted with his wife Sigyn

In the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning, the enthroned figure of High says Loki is the son of the jötunn Fárbauti and that "Laufey or Nál is his mother".^[1] In Skáldskaparmál, Fárbauti receives another three mentions. In chapter 16, Lokakenningar or "ways of referring to Loki" are provided, one of which reads "son of Fárbauti and Laufey, or Nál".^[2] In chapter 17, a work by the 10th century skald Úlfr Uggason is quoted referring to Loki as "Fárbauti's terribly sly son".^[3] In chapter 22, Fárbauti is referenced in the Haustlöng of 10th century skald Þjóðólfr of Hvinir, where Loki is referred to as "Fárbauti's son".^[4]

Interpretation

If, as according to Axel Kock, Fárbauti 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).^[5] Though not directly attested in any original source, scholars have considered Loki's brothers Helblindi and Býleistr to also be sons of Fárbauti.^[6] However, their exact role in the presumably ancient mythic complex surrounding Loki's family remains largely unclear.^[7]

Notes

1. Faulkes (1995:26).
2. Faulkes (1995:76).
3. Faulkes (1995:77).
4. Faulkes (1995:87).
5. Simek (1995:93); Kock (1899:101-102).
6. Rydberg (2003:24); Sykes (2002:85); Guelpa (2009:123-124).
7. Simek (1995:174); Kock (1899:100-102).

References

• Faulkes, Anthony (Trans.) (1995). Edda. Everyman. ISBN 0-460-87616-3.
• Guelpa, Patrick (2009). Dieux & Mythes Nordique. Presses Universitaires du Septentrion. ISBN 978-2-7574-0120-0.
• Kock, Axel (1899). "Etymologisch-mythologische Untersuchungen" in: Brugmann, K. & Streitberg, W. (Eds.) Indogermanische Forschungen: Zeitschrift für indogermanische Sprach- und Altertumskunde, Vol. 10, pp. 90–111. Strassburg: Karl J. Trübner.
• Rydberg, Viktor (2003). Our Father's Godsaga: Retold for the Young. Lincoln: iUniverse. ISBN 0-595-29978-4.
• Simek, Rudolf (1995). Lexikon der germanischen Mythologie. Stuttgart: Alfred Kröner Verlag. ISBN 3-520-36802-1.
• Sykes, Egerton (2002). Who's Who in Non-Classical Mythology. New York: Routledge. ISBN 0-203-43691-1.