[Mythology]Etunar - The Giants of Old

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Tarjei Einhornsson
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Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:13 am

[Mythology]Etunar - The Giants of Old

Post by Tarjei Einhornsson »

Etunar
-
The Giants of Old


Etunar - The term derives from the proto-language word *etunaz. Simply put, it means 'giant'. Giants and their interactions with men and the gods are elaborated throughout the old tales. The most common legend is of Þórr who wields his hammer in battles with giants. The old legends say that he would smite them with his hammer in far away mountainous lands so that they do not come to our own lands and slaughter us. However, there are the legends of the Etunar who range from those who are evil through and through to those who are simply better left alone, for they keep to their own business.

Manúetunar

Meaning 'Man-Giant', this is what is typically meant when someone refers to etunar in the legends. They were similar in appearance to men, but were obviously taller and stronger and said to have hoarse, thunderous voices. Many are attested to by name throughout the legends, including the notorious Fáfnir and Fasolt who kidnapped the goddess Freyja. There are many myths regarding their origins, including that they were actually the ogres left over from the war in Kynsmal who found hiding in the mountains and caves. Which, by technicality, makes the pantheon of Norse gods a manner of divine Manúetunar which chose to benefit man instead of slay them. This has lead to a rather ambiguous status for the Man-Giants where their overall role in the legends do not have a specific role - they seem merely to be exceptionally tall predecessors of men in the mythical times. This is in contrast to the other kinds of giants mentioned in the legends, who tend to take on elemental manifestations. In later writings they were given the name Bergrisar, meaning Mountain Giants or simply risa - giant.


Þórr battles with Manúetunar - man-like giants of whom have caused normal men much grief in legends.


Hrímþursar

Meaning 'Frost Giant' in the Old Norse tongue (as compared to 'Manúetunar' being of a more ancient tongue), are the giants composed of ice. Their differing name comes from the fact that the concept of frost giants came relatively later in Norse history, when the pantheon began to expand and change as time went on. Few are ever mentioned with the most prominent mentioning being in Sigardsmál. They are supposedly the makings of Sutír, a malignant winter-god and, as such, inherit his menace to mankind. King Sigard I was said to have slain one, which is the primary focus of Sigardsmál. Beyond this, they are not as prominent in the old legends as the Manúetunar. They have a humanoid appearance, but are said to have a more wretched and menacing look to them with eyes which glow or hands like ice-swords. The descriptions, from what few they are, seem to play an almost cautionary role in the legends, specifically meant to instill fear and dread as if to warn people against the dangers of winter-travel or the traversal of the infamous mountain ranges of the realm - where they are said to dwell.


Rendition of such a creature.


Eldjötunar

Meaning 'Fire Giant', the Eldjötunar do not dwell in our world according to the legends - they are Króm's children. Though Króm is a friend of man, he has bore his own to help him with his eternal task - tending the great forges. Said to have hair and beards of fire with skin of smoldering ash, they were born of the burning coal's of his forge. They are said to help him keep the fires going, swinging additional hammers when needed and will be his warriors when Ragnarök occurs. Norsefolk have often taken a fascination with the Eldjötunar for the simple fact that they are associated with Króm, a god long held to be the Norse people's greatest beneficiary throughout the legends. It was Króm who has forged many of the legendary items which are spoken of in tales such as Einhornsmál and Sigardsmál. His purpose, time and time again, was to ensure victory for the Norse. Though Norsefolk understand that the legends are mere legends - embellishments of historical events or altogether mystical happenings - there is a long standing sentiment that The Norse are Króm's beloved inhabitants of the earthly realm, even if he does not stand at the top of the pantheon. For more information in regards to the association between Króm and the Norse people, read the archive article The God Króm, Smithies and Their Cultural Impact On Normark



Widiwiz


A word roughly meaning 'Wood' from the proto-language, they are supposedly immeasurably ancient beings which dwell among the forests of the realm. Their appearance in legends are more so limited than even the frost giants, mentioning only that they are the work of an obscure Giantess by the name of Jarð and her sisters who have played the role of nature guardians. They are said to have found that the vastness of the Northern forests too much and as such crafted, out of trees, forest guardians. Slow of speech and movement, they dwell in the deepness of the forests where they take care of the forests, help them grow and spread and keep groves in honor of their mothers. Said to be neutral to man, their concern is for the forest and the forest alone and that only those who would bring harm to nature should fear their wrath. This, again, seems to have a cautionary role rather than anything else. Playing as a sort of warning to those who might venture too deep into a forest, lest they meet strange tree-creatures.


Rendition of a Widuz

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