Muspell (apt. Muspell; etymology is unclear) - apparently the name of a mythological creature in German-Scandinavian mythology [1] . Muspellheim is a fiery country that existed even before the beginning of creation. In "The Divination of the Vulva" ( "The Elder Edda" ) mentions about the "people of Muspell", who during the eschatological battle with the gods ( Ragnarok ) will sail on the boat, which will be ruled by the god Loki [2] .
In the “Younger Edda”, the “sons of Muspell” during ( Ragnarok ) jump over the rainbow bridge of Bevrest , and the bridge falls down under them. Their horses will swim the great rivers and rush on. “The good bridge is Bivrest, but nothing will stand in this world when the sons of Muspell go to war.” [3] Snorri Sturluson associates with the fiery giant Surt with Muspell [1] . At the same time, “Divination of the Volva” states that Surt travels from the south, while “Muspell’s children” arrive from the east [2] .
In German early medieval Christian poems ( Muspilli , Heliand), the term Muspell (ancient high muspilli) is used in the sense of the end of the world and the terrible judgment [1] .
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 Myths of the peoples of the world. Encyclopedia: 2 tons. / Ch. ed. S.A. Tokarev. - M.: NI "Great Russian Encyclopedia", 1997. - T. 2. - p. 183.
- ↑ 1 2 Older Edda. Old Norse songs about gods and heroes / Translated by A.I. Korsun. Editing, introductory article and comments of M. I. Steblin-Kamensky. Reprint reproduction of the 1963 edition. - SPb. : Science, 2006. - p. 14.
- ↑ Younger Edda. Ed. ed. MI Steblin-Kamensky. Reprint reproduction of the 1970 edition. - SPb. : Science, 2006. - p. 20.