Sleipnir
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
In Norse mythology, Sleipnir is Odin's magical eight-legged steed, and the greatest of all horses. His name means smooth or gliding, and is related to the English word, "slippery".
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The Eddas
According to the Prose Edda, Loki, in the guise of a mare, gave birth to Sleipnir by Svaðilfari. Loki returned to Asgard and gave the eight-legged gray colt to Odin, telling him that the horse was the swiftest on earth, and could bear Odin over sea, through the air, and to and from the land of the dead. According to Sigrdrífumál in the Poetic Edda Sleipnir had runes carved on his teeth.
Origin and interpretation
It has been suggested that Sleipnir having eight legs is symbolic of the four men who carry a coffin, i.e. a steed to carry the rider into the underworld. It might also be a reference to a real horse with three toes, a genetic manifestation that occasionally happens on the front or rear legs of a horse, usually without harm to the animal. Though rare, it has been seen, (Julius Caesar rode just such a horse in a number of battles) and this might have worked its way into the myth.
Later ideas
Ásbyrgi, literally "Fort of the Æsir", in the northeast of Iceland, is said to have been created when Sleipnir's hoof touched down.
A stainless steel statue of Sleipnir is a prominent feature in the United Kingdom Midlands town of Wednesbury (which means Odin's fort).
Familiar forms
The name of Sleipnir is sometimes anglicized as "Sleipner", especially in old popular works.
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ca:Sleipnir da:Sleipneres:Sleipnir fr:Sleipnir nl:Sleipnir ja:スレイプニル nb:Sleipner nn:Sleipner pl:Sleipnir sv:Sleipner
