“The Decline of the Völva” ( dr. Scand. Völuspá ) is one of the most famous epic songs of the Elder Edda . In the song, on behalf of the Velva (witch), a picture is drawn from the creation of the world to its death, and then subsequent rebirth. “Divination” contains rich material on Scandinavian mythology. In the classic edition, the song consists of 66 eight- verses written in the size of fornurdislag .
| Prophecy of the volva | |
|---|---|
| Völuspá | |
| Prophecy of the volva | |
| Date of writing | probably the 12th century |
| Original language | Old Icelandic |
| Collection | Elder and Younger Edda |
| Topic | velva |
| Genre | poem |
| Style | fornurdislag |
| Volume | 66 eight |
| Closely related | Divination of the Volva in a nutshell |
Most researchers believe that the song arose in Iceland at the turn of two eras - the pagan and Christian, that is, in the second half or at the end of the X century.
The Prophecy of the Velva was translated into Russian four times - by S. Sviridenko, A. I. Korsun, E. M. Meletinsky and V. G. Tikhomirov.
Contents
The song describes the beginning of a time when there was nothing and only the "abyss gaped." Then the gods (sons of Bohr ), being in the Idawell field, began to build Midgard . Then they met three giant Yotuns . From the blood of Etun Brimir, the gods created dwarfs. Then the three aces-gods ( Odin , Hoenir , Lodur ) on the seashore saw a pair of Asuka and Embleu fashioned from clay dwarfs and revived them. And the three goddesses (Urd, Verdandi, Skuld) cut runes on the mystical ash tree Yggdrasil , determining the fate of people.
Then follows the first war between the Ases and the Vanes , in which Baldr , the son of Odin, died.
Then the magical lands are described: Hveralundr, where Shigun is ; northern dwarf cloister Nidavellir ( Nivelavellir ); further - the afterlife of the dead ( Náströnd ), where the dwelling of snakes, including Nidhogga , which devours the souls of sinners, is located. Fenrir is born in the Iron Forest , who will play an important role in the end of the world, when the dwelling of the gods will be covered in blood and the sun will darken. In Gnipahellir ( Gnipahellir ) Garm breaks from the chain. Dark forces ( Jotuns , fire giants ) gather from the southeast and sail on the ship Naglfar . They are led by Moody, Loki and Surt .
The song ends with a renewal of the world. Earth rises from the sea, aces return to the Idawell field, Balder resurrects.
Links
See also
- Divination of the Volva in a nutshell
- Völva