"Fimbulwinter" redirects here. For the Norwegian black metal band, see Fimbulwinter (band).
In Norse mythology, Fimbulvetr (commonly rendered in English as Fimbulwinter), is the immediate prelude to the events of Ragnarök. It means 'great winter'.
Fimbulvetr is the harsh winter that precedes the end of the world and puts an end to all life on Earth. Fimbulvetr is three successive winters, when snow comes in from all directions, without any intervening summer. Innumerable wars follow.
The event is described primarily in the Poetic Edda. In the poem Vafþrúðnismál, Odin poses the question to Vafþrúðnir as to who of mankind will survive the Fimbulvetr. Vafþrúðnir responds that Líf and Lífþrasir will survive and that they will live in the forest of Hoddmímis holt.
The mythology might be related to the volcanic winter of 536, which resulted in a notable drop in temperature across northern Europe. There have also been several popular ideas about whether the particular piece of mythology has a connection to the climate change that occurred in the Nordic countries at the end of the Nordic Bronze Age from about 650 BC.[1]
In Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and other Nordic countries, the term Fimbulvetr has been borrowed from Old Norse to refer to an unusually cold and harsh winter.[2] However in Sweden, another common word is 'Vargavinter', which means 'wolf winter'.[3]
Etymology
Fimbulvetr comes from Old Norse, meaning 'awful, great winter'. The prefix fimbul means 'great/big' so the literal interpretation is 'great winter'.[2]
^Ström, Folke: Nordisk Hedendom, Studentlitteratur, Lund 2005, ISBN91-44-00551-2 (first published 1961) among others, refer to the climate change theory.
^Siv Strömquist (21 February 2011). "Gråbenstankar i vargavintern" (in Swedish). Svenska Dagbladet. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
Bibliography
Gunn, Joel (2000). The Years Without Summer: Tracing A.D. 536 and its Aftermath (British Archaeological Reports International. Oxford, England: Archaeopress) ISBN1-84171-074-1
Keys, David Patrick (2000). Catastrophe: An Investigation into the Origins of the Modern World. (New York: Ballantine Pub) ISBN0-345-40876-4.
Lindow, John (2001). Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs (Oxford University Press) ISBN0-19-515382-0
Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend (Cassell) ISBN0-304-34520-2
January 10, 2023
fimbulvetr, fimbulwinter, redirects, here, norwegian, black, metal, band, fimbulwinter, band, norse, mythology, commonly, rendered, english, fimbulwinter, immediate, prelude, events, ragnarök, means, great, winter, contents, summary, etymology, also, reference. Fimbulwinter redirects here For the Norwegian black metal band see Fimbulwinter band In Norse mythology Fimbulvetr commonly rendered in English as Fimbulwinter is the immediate prelude to the events of Ragnarok It means great winter Contents 1 Summary 2 Etymology 3 See also 4 References 4 1 BibliographySummary EditFimbulvetr is the harsh winter that precedes the end of the world and puts an end to all life on Earth Fimbulvetr is three successive winters when snow comes in from all directions without any intervening summer Innumerable wars follow The event is described primarily in the Poetic Edda In the poem Vafthrudnismal Odin poses the question to Vafthrudnir as to who of mankind will survive the Fimbulvetr Vafthrudnir responds that Lif and Lifthrasir will survive and that they will live in the forest of Hoddmimis holt The mythology might be related to the volcanic winter of 536 which resulted in a notable drop in temperature across northern Europe There have also been several popular ideas about whether the particular piece of mythology has a connection to the climate change that occurred in the Nordic countries at the end of the Nordic Bronze Age from about 650 BC 1 In Denmark Norway Sweden and other Nordic countries the term Fimbulvetr has been borrowed from Old Norse to refer to an unusually cold and harsh winter 2 However in Sweden another common word is Vargavinter which means wolf winter 3 Etymology EditFimbulvetr comes from Old Norse meaning awful great winter The prefix fimbul means great big so the literal interpretation is great winter 2 See also EditEschatology Laki 1783 eruption Nuclear winter Ragnarok Volcanic winterReferences Edit Strom Folke Nordisk Hedendom Studentlitteratur Lund 2005 ISBN 91 44 00551 2 first published 1961 among others refer to the climate change theory a b Svenska Akademiens Ordbok entry for Fimbulvetr 1 Siv Stromquist 21 February 2011 Grabenstankar i vargavintern in Swedish Svenska Dagbladet Retrieved 6 October 2020 Bibliography Edit Gunn Joel 2000 The Years Without Summer Tracing A D 536 and its Aftermath British Archaeological Reports International Oxford England Archaeopress ISBN 1 84171 074 1 Keys David Patrick 2000 Catastrophe An Investigation into the Origins of the Modern World New York Ballantine Pub ISBN 0 345 40876 4 Larrington Carolyne Trans 1999 The Poetic Edda Oxford World s Classics ISBN 0 19 283946 2 Lindow John 2001 Norse Mythology A Guide to the Gods Heroes Rituals and Beliefs Oxford University Press ISBN 0 19 515382 0 Orchard Andy 1997 Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend Cassell ISBN 0 304 34520 2 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Fimbulvetr amp oldid 1130141927, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
