Gleipnir facts for kids
In Norse mythology, Gleipnir was a special chain. It was used to tie up a powerful wolf named Fenrir. Fenrir was the son of the trickster god Loki and a giantess named Angrboða.
The gods had tried to bind Fenrir before. They used two strong chains made by Thor. These chains were called Lædingr and Dromi. But Fenrir was incredibly strong. He broke both of them easily. The gods knew they needed something much stronger.
What is Gleipnir?
Gleipnir was the third chain made to hold Fenrir. It was created by magical beings called the sons of Ivaldi. These skilled craftspeople made Gleipnir look very thin and delicate. It was as thin as a spider's silk. But despite its look, Gleipnir was unbreakable.
How Gleipnir Was Made
Gleipnir was not made from metal. It was made from six very unusual and impossible things. These ingredients were:
- The sound of a cat's footsteps
- The beards of women
- The roots of mountains
- The spit of birds
- The breath of fishes
- The sinew (like tough body tissue) of a bear
The story of Gleipnir's creation might explain why we don't see these things in the world. For example, cats walk silently, women don't have beards, and fish can't breathe air.
The Binding of Fenrir
The gods knew Fenrir would be suspicious of such a thin chain. So, they tricked him. They invited Fenrir to an island called Lyngvi. They challenged him to let them bind him with Gleipnir. They said it was just a game to test his strength.
Fenrir suspected a trick. He agreed to be bound only if one of the gods put their hand in his mouth. This would show that they meant no harm. The brave god Týr stepped forward. He placed his hand into Fenrir's mouth.
When the gods tightened Gleipnir, Fenrir tried to break free. But he could not. The magical chain held him tight. Fenrir realized he had been tricked. In anger, he bit off Týr's hand.
Fenrir was bound by Gleipnir. He is meant to stay tied up until Ragnarök. Ragnarök is a future event in Norse mythology. It is described as the final great battle that will end the world.
