Ægir

For the of the same Saturn satellite name, to see Ægir (the moon)

---- Ægir

Ægir (“sea” in Old norrois) is a giant of the Scandinavian Mythologie, personification of the sea.

It also bears the names of Hler ( Skáldskaparmál , 1,25) and of Gymir ( Lokasenna , introduction; Skáldskaparmál , 25).

Genealogy

He is the husband of Rán, and father of nine girls who personify the waves ( Skáldskaparmál , 25,33,61).

According to the Saga of Orcadiens (introductory chapter), Hler/Ægir is the son of Forniot and the brother of Loki (fire) and of Kari (wind).

The god of the sea?

Æegir is mentioned in the Þulur (lists of synonyms and names) among the giant (thus, in the Skáldskaparmál , 75), and it does not appear in the lists of the Ases. However, its friendly relations with the Adzes (whereas the giants are traditionally the enemies of the gods), and the fact that his wife, Rán, figure in the enumeration of the goddesses Ases ( Skáldskaparmál , 75) make that it is sometimes compared to a god by the modern authors.

At all events, its bond with the sea is attested. Its name even means “sea” and is used to form kenningar indicating the sea: to faðir Ægisdætra “father of the girls of Ægir”, í Ægis kjafta “in the jaws of Ægir” (i.e. under the sea), etc ( Skáldskaparmál , 25).

The host of the gods

Ægir is also presented on several occasions like the host of the gods, with the two directions of the term.

In the Skáldskaparmál , Snorri Sturluson describes it like a man, large magician, living the island of Hlésey. Invited with a banquet with Ásgard, it discusses with its neighbor at table Bragi, which tells him many myths, in particular those in the beginning kenningar .

Three months later, it is him which receives all the gods and goddesses (except for Thor) as well as Alfes ( Lokasenna ; Skáldskaparmál , 33). Ægir brewed beer in the cauldron that Thor and Tyr went to seek at Hymir ( Hymiskvida ). At the time of this feast, brilliant gold lights the market like fire, food and the beer are useful all alone, and the servants of Ægir, Fimafeng and Eldir, are worthy of praises.

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