Fenrir facts for kids
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Fenrir is a giant and powerful wolf from Norse mythology. His name means 'fen-dweller' or 'Fenrir's wolf'. He is also sometimes called 'fame-wolf' or 'monster of the River Ván'. Fenrir is a very important figure in the stories of the Norse gods.
He is known for his role in Ragnarök, which is a big event in Norse myths. During Ragnarök, Fenrir is fated to help set the world on fire. He is also destined to defeat the mighty god Odin.
Fenrir is one of three special children of the trickster god Loki. His mother is a giantess named Angrboða. His siblings are Hel, who rules the underworld, and Jörmungandr, the giant sea serpent.
Stories about Fenrir come from old texts like the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda. These books were written down in the 1200s. They tell us that Fenrir is the father of two other wolves, Sköll and Hati Hróðvitnisson. These wolves chase the sun and moon.
The myths explain that the gods knew Fenrir would cause great trouble. Because he grew so fast, they tried to bind him. During this event, the brave god Týr lost his hand to Fenrir. Fenrir's story is shown in ancient art and carvings. He also appears in many modern books and artworks.
Fenrir's Story in Ancient Texts
The Poetic Edda
The Poetic Edda is a collection of old Norse poems. It tells us about Fenrir in a few places.
Prophecies in Völuspá
In the poem Völuspá, a wise woman called a völva shares prophecies with Odin. She speaks of a forest where an old woman raised many wolf-children, including Fenrir's offspring. One of these wolves is fated to chase and swallow the moon.
The völva also predicts a sad event for Odin. She says that Odin will fight Fenrir during Ragnarök. In this great battle, Fenrir will defeat Odin. But Odin's son, Víðarr, will then step forward. Víðarr will avenge his father by defeating Fenrir with a sword.
The Sun's Daughter in Vafþrúðnismál
Another poem, Vafþrúðnismál, features a conversation between Odin and a wise giant. Odin asks what will happen to the sun after Fenrir attacks it. The giant replies that the sun goddess, Sól, will have a daughter. This daughter will take her mother's place in the sky, even after Fenrir's attack.
Loki's Insult to Týr in Lokasenna
In the poem Lokasenna, the god Loki argues with other gods. He insults Týr by reminding him that Fenrir bit off Týr's hand. Týr replies by saying he lost his hand, but Loki lost the famous wolf, Fenrir.
The Prose Edda
The Prose Edda is another important book of Norse myths. It gives us more details about Fenrir.
Týr's Bravery and Fenrir's Binding
In the Prose Edda, we learn about the god Týr's great bravery. The gods wanted to bind Fenrir because he was growing too fast and prophecies said he would cause them harm. Fenrir didn't trust the gods. He asked one of them to place a hand in his mouth as a promise of good faith. Only Týr was brave enough to do this. When the gods refused to let Fenrir go, he bit off Týr's hand. This is why Týr is often shown with only one hand.
Loki's Children and Fenrir's Growth
The Prose Edda explains that Fenrir is one of three children Loki had with the giantess Angrboða. His siblings are the serpent Jörmungandr and Hel, who rules the dead. The gods knew these children would bring great trouble.
Odin sent for the children. He threw Jörmungandr into the ocean and Hel into the underworld. But the gods decided to raise Fenrir themselves. Only Týr dared to feed him. Fenrir grew incredibly fast, becoming bigger and stronger every day.
The Gods Try to Bind Fenrir
The gods became worried about Fenrir's size and strength. They tried to bind him with strong chains.
- First, they made a chain called Leyding. Fenrir easily broke it with one kick.
- Next, they made an even stronger chain called Dromi. Fenrir struggled, but he broke this one too.
The gods grew very scared. They realized normal chains wouldn't work. Odin then sent a messenger to the land of the dwarfs. He asked them to create a special fetter (a type of binding).
Gleipnir, the Magical Fetter
The dwarfs created Gleipnir. It looked like a smooth, soft silk ribbon. But it was made from six magical ingredients: the sound of a cat's footfall, the beard of a woman, the roots of a mountain, the sinews of a bear, the breath of a fish, and the spittle of a bird. These are all things that don't exist, making Gleipnir incredibly strong.
The gods took Fenrir to an island. They showed him the thin ribbon, saying it was stronger than it looked. Fenrir was suspicious. He said he wouldn't gain fame from breaking such a thin band. He suspected trickery.
Fenrir agreed to be bound only if one of the gods placed a hand in his mouth as a pledge. All the gods hesitated, but Týr bravely stepped forward and put his right hand into Fenrir's jaws.
When the gods tightened Gleipnir, Fenrir struggled. The more he fought, the stronger the ribbon became. Fenrir was trapped! Everyone laughed, except Týr, who lost his hand.
The gods then tied Gleipnir to a huge stone slab called Gjöll. They anchored Gjöll deep into the ground with an even bigger rock called Thviti. Fenrir roared and tried to bite them. The gods then forced a sword into his mouth, holding his jaws open. Fenrir howled terribly, and saliva flowed from his mouth, forming a river called Ván. Fenrir will stay bound there until Ragnarök.
The gods didn't kill Fenrir because they respected their holy places. They didn't want to stain these sacred spots with the wolf's blood.
Fenrir's Role in Ragnarök
In the Prose Edda, it is foretold that during Ragnarök, Fenrir will break free. His son Sköll will swallow the sun, and his other son Hati Hróðvitnisson will swallow the moon. The stars will vanish, and the earth will shake.
Fenrir will run free with his mouth wide open, his upper jaw touching the sky and his lower jaw the earth. Flames will burn from his eyes and nose. He will join the great battle at the field Vígríðr.
During this battle, Fenrir will swallow Odin, ending the life of the chief god. But Odin's son, Víðarr, will avenge his father. Víðarr will step forward, wearing a special shoe made from scraps of leather collected over time. He will place his foot on Fenrir's lower jaw, grab his upper jaw, and tear the wolf's mouth apart, finally defeating Fenrir.
The Heimskringla
The Heimskringla is a collection of sagas about Norwegian kings. In the saga of King Haakon I of Norway, there is a poem called Hákonarmál. This poem says that the bonds of Fenrir will snap before a king as good as Haakon comes again. This shows how strong Fenrir's bonds were thought to be.
Ancient Art and Carvings
Many ancient carvings and objects show scenes that might be Fenrir's story.
Thorwald's Cross
On the Isle of Man, there is a stone cross called Thorwald's Cross. It shows a bearded man holding a spear, with his foot in a wolf's mouth. A large bird sits on his shoulder. Many believe this carving shows Odin being swallowed by Fenrir during Ragnarök.
Gosforth Cross
The Gosforth Cross in England, from the 11th century, also shows a man fighting a monstrous beast. The man has his foot in the beast's mouth and a hand on its upper jaw. This scene is often seen as Víðarr fighting Fenrir. Some think it also mixes Christian ideas with Norse myths.
Ledberg Stone
In Sweden, the 11th-century Ledberg stone features a figure with his foot in the mouth of a four-legged beast. This could also be a depiction of Odin being devoured by Fenrir.
Other Discoveries
The Tullstorp Runestone might show Fenrir above the ship Naglfar, if the images are correctly identified as scenes from Ragnarök.
Some scholars also think that the "Hell Mouth" seen in medieval Christian art might have been influenced by the Norse myth of Fenrir.
Old gold metal discs called bracteates, like one found in Sweden, show a person getting bitten on the hand by a beast. This could be an image of Týr and Fenrir.
Modern Influence
Fenrir continues to inspire artists and writers today.
- He appears in poems like "Om Fenrisulven og Tyr" (1819) by Adam Gottlob Oehlenschläger.
- He is featured in novels such as Der Fenriswolf by K. H. Strobl.
- Artists like Dorothy Hardy and Emil Doepler have created famous artworks of Fenrir.
- A metal sculpture of Fenrir by Arne Vinje Gunnerud stands on the island of Askøy, Norway.
- Fenrir is also a character in the 2022 video game God of War Ragnarök.
See also
In Spanish: Fenrir para niños
- List of wolves
 | Claudette Colvin |
 | Myrlie Evers-Williams |
 | Alberta Odell Jones |
