Gleipnir
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gleipnir is the binding that holds the mighty wolf Fenrisulfr in Norse Mythology. Even though it is as thin as a silken ribbon, it is stronger than any iron chain. It was forged by the dwarves in their underground realm of Svartálfaheim, and made of six wondrous ingredients:
- The sound of a cat's footfall
- The beard of a woman
- The roots of a mountain
- The sinews of a bear, generally thought to mean nerves or sensibilities
- The breath of a fish
- The spittle of a bird
Thus we no longer hear a cat's footfall, women have no beards, mountains have no roots, bears no sinews, fish no breath, and birds no spittle.
Gleipnir, having bound the Fenrisúlfur securely, was the cause of Týr's lost arm, for the Fenrisulfr bit it off when he was not freed.
Gleipnir will hold until Ragnarök, when it (and its binding force) will break and Fenrir will devour Odin.
[edit] Trivia
- In the popular Microsoft game: "Age of Mythology", one of the many relics players can encounter includes an item known as "The fetters of Fenrir". The relic (when garrisoned at a temple) adds 250 to hunting attack.
- In Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones, Gleipnir is a dark tome, passed down in the Grado Empire. You receive it in Ephraim's Quest after seizing the throne in chapter 14, and in Eirika's quest after defeating all enemies in chapter 15.
- In Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception, Gleipnir is a flying fortress with optical stealth capabilitities and two fictional weapons that the player must destroy. The Gleipnir is destroyed before the player destroys the Fenrir stealth fighters at the end of the game.
- In the MMORPG Ragnarok Online, Gleipnir is an item required to make the belt, Mejingard. The ingredients needed for Gleipnir are item versions of the components of the Norse Gleipnir: Cat Tread, Woman's Moustache, Root of Stone, Sputum of Bird and Sinew of Bear.
[edit] References
- Wikisource:Prose Edda/Gylfaginning (The Fooling Of Gylfe) by Sturluson, Snorri, 13th century Edda, in English. Accessed Apr. 16, 2007
- Gylfaginning in Old Norse[1] Accessed Apr. 16, 2007.
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