In Norse mythology, Lofn (Old Norse: [ˈlovn], possibly "comforter,"[1] "the comforter, the mild,"[2] or "loving"[3]) is a goddess. Lofn is attested in the Prose Edda, written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson and in kennings found in skaldic poetry. In the Prose Edda, Lofn is described as gentle in manner and as an arranger of marriages, even when they have been forbidden. Scholars have proposed theories about the implications of the goddess.
In chapter 35 of the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning, High provides brief descriptions of 16 ásynjur. High lists Lofn eighth and about her says that:
'She is so gentle and so good to invoke that she has permission from All-Father or Frigg to arrange unions between men and women, even if earlier offers have been received and unions have been banned. From her name comes the word lof, meaning permission as well as high praise.'[4]
In the Prose Edda book Skáldskaparmál, Lofn is included among a list of 27 ásynjur names.[5] Elsewhere in Skáldskaparmál, Lofn appears in a kenning for "woman" in a work by the skald Ormr Steinþórsson.[6] Otherwise Lofn appears frequently as a base word in skaldic kennings for "woman."[7]
Theoriesedit
John Lindow says that scholars have generally followed Snorri's etymological connection with the root lof-, meaning "praise." Lindow says that, along with many other goddesses, some scholars theorize that Lofn may simply be another name for the goddess Frigg.[7]Rudolf Simek theorizes that Snorri used skaldic kennings to produce his Gylfaginning commentary about the goddess, while combining several etymologies with the Old Norse personal name Lofn.[8]
Simek, Rudolf (2007) translated by Angela Hall. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. D.S. Brewer. ISBN0-85991-513-1
May 02, 2024
lofn, norse, mythology, norse, ˈlovn, possibly, comforter, comforter, mild, loving, goddess, attested, prose, edda, written, 13th, century, snorri, sturluson, kennings, found, skaldic, poetry, prose, edda, described, gentle, manner, arranger, marriages, even, . In Norse mythology Lofn Old Norse ˈlovn possibly comforter 1 the comforter the mild 2 or loving 3 is a goddess Lofn is attested in the Prose Edda written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson and in kennings found in skaldic poetry In the Prose Edda Lofn is described as gentle in manner and as an arranger of marriages even when they have been forbidden Scholars have proposed theories about the implications of the goddess Contents 1 Attestations 2 Theories 3 Notes 4 ReferencesAttestations editIn chapter 35 of the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning High provides brief descriptions of 16 asynjur High lists Lofn eighth and about her says that She is so gentle and so good to invoke that she has permission from All Father or Frigg to arrange unions between men and women even if earlier offers have been received and unions have been banned From her name comes the word lof meaning permission as well as high praise 4 In the Prose Edda book Skaldskaparmal Lofn is included among a list of 27 asynjur names 5 Elsewhere in Skaldskaparmal Lofn appears in a kenning for woman in a work by the skald Ormr Steinthorsson 6 Otherwise Lofn appears frequently as a base word in skaldic kennings for woman 7 Theories editJohn Lindow says that scholars have generally followed Snorri s etymological connection with the root lof meaning praise Lindow says that along with many other goddesses some scholars theorize that Lofn may simply be another name for the goddess Frigg 7 Rudolf Simek theorizes that Snorri used skaldic kennings to produce his Gylfaginning commentary about the goddess while combining several etymologies with the Old Norse personal name Lofn 8 Notes edit Orchard 1997 104 Simek 2007 190 Byock 2005 168 Byock 2005 43 Faulkes 1995 157 Faulkes 1995 142 a b Lindow 2001 213 Simek 2007 190 191 References editByock Jesse Trans 2005 The Prose Edda Penguin Classics ISBN 0 14 044755 5 Faulkes Anthony Trans 1995 Edda Everyman ISBN 0 460 87616 3 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 Simek Rudolf 2007 translated by Angela Hall Dictionary of Northern Mythology D S Brewer ISBN 0 85991 513 1 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lofn amp oldid 1144810867, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
