Sigrdrífumál

The Lay of Sigrdrífa

Sigrdrífas kväde

37 stanzas

Summary

A

Sigrdrífumál depicts Sigurðr's encounter with the sleeping valkyrie on Hindarfjall. Sigurðr rides through the flame-wall, cuts open the byrnie's rings, and wakes Sigrdrífa (often identified with Brynhildr). She greets the day, the gods, and the earth in one of the most celebrated stanzas in Eddic poetry.

Sigrdrífa tells how Odin put her to sleep with a sleep-thorn after she gave victory to the wrong warrior. She then teaches Sigurðr rune-wisdom: victory-runes, ale-runes, wave-runes, branch-runes, speech-runes, and thought-runes. Each rune type is linked to practical application and cosmological grounding.

The teachings transition to general life-counsel in gnomic style reminiscent of Hávamál: on conduct at assemblies, on oath-breaking, on the dead, on trust and treachery.

The poem ends with an exchange between Sigrdrífa and Sigurðr before the great lacuna in Codex Regius. Several leaves are missing after this point, and what stood on the lost pages is one of the most discussed questions in Old Norse philology.

The story

Hví bitu mik brynjur?Hvat vakði mik?Hví er af fótum mérfǫlr leggr numinn?Sigurðr þar þeggjaþorir hann eigi,er í brynju búinnbíðr hann á fjalli.
Why did the mail bite me?What woke me?Why has the paleleg-iron been lifted from my feet?Sigurðr stands silent there,he does not dare,clad in byrniehe waits upon the mountain.

English translation: own translation.

Heill dagr!Heilir dags synir!Heil nótt ok nipt!Óreiðum augumlítið okkr þinigok gefið sitjöndum sigr!Heilir æsir!Heilar ásynjur!Heil sjá in fjölnýta fold!Mál ok mannvitgefið okkr mærum tveimok læknis hendur, meðan lifum!
Hail, day!Hail, sons of day!Hail, night and night's daughter!With gentle eyeslook upon us from thereand grant victory to us who sit here!Hail, Æsir!Hail, Ásynjur!Hail, this all-useful earth!Speech and wisdomgive us both, renowned ones,and healing hands, while we live!

English translation: own translation.

Sigrdrífumál kveðasegja Sigurðifyr alla hluti,hvat hon kunniok hvat hon vildi,at hann skyldi þat vita.
Sigrdrífumál is the name givento what Sigrdrífa tellsSigurðr above all things,what she knewand what she wishedfor him to understand.

English translation: own translation.

Bjór færi ek þér,brynþings apaldr,magni blandinnok megintíri;fullr er hann ljóðumok líknstöfum,góðum galdrumok gamanrúnum.
Beer I bring you,tree of the byrnie-assembly,blended with strengthand great glory;it is full of songsand healing staves,good galdr-spellsand joy-runes.

English translation: own translation.

Sigrunnar skalt kunna,ef þú vilt sigr hafa,ok rísta á hjalti hjörs,sumar á véttrimum,sumar á valbǫstum,ok nefna tysvar Tý.
Victory-runes you must know,if you wish to hold victory,and carve them on the sword's hilt,some on the guard-strips,some on the blade-ridge,and name Tý twice.

English translation: own translation.

Ölrúnar skalt kunna,ef þú vilt annars kvánvélit þik í tryggð, ef þú trúir;á horni skalt rístaok á handarbakiok merkja á nagli Nauð.
Ale-runes you must know,if you wish that another man's wifeshould not betray you in trust, if you trust her;on the horn you shall carveand on the back of the handand mark Nauð on the nail.

English translation: own translation.

Full skal signaok við fári sjáok verpa lauki í lǫg;þá ek þat veitat þér verðr aldrimeinblandinn mjǫðr.
The full cup you shall blessand watch for dangerand throw a leek into the liquid;then I knowthat for you nevershall mead mixed with harm do injury.

English translation: own translation.

Brimrúnar skalt rístaef þú vilt borgit hafaá sævi siglandi skip;á stafni skalt rístaok á stjórnarblaðiok leggia eld í ár;era svá brattr brekinnné svá blár unninn,þó komtu heill af hafi.
Wave-runes you shall carveif you wish to keep safea ship sailing on the sea;on the prow you shall carveand on the steering-boardand set fire into the oar;no breaker is so steepno wave so darkthat you will not come whole from the sea.

English translation: own translation.

Limrúnar skalt kunna,ef þú vilt lækni veraok kunna sár at sjá;á berki skalt rístaok á baðmi viðarþeim er lúta austr limar.
Branch-runes you must know,if you wish to be a healerand understand how to examine wounds;on bark you shall carveand on the trunk of a treethose whose branches lean toward the east.

English translation: own translation.

Málrúnar skalt kunna,ef þú vilt at manngi þérheiptum gjaldi harm;þær of vindr,þær of vefr,þær of setr allar samaná þingi þarsem þjóðir skuluá dóma daga fara.
Speech-runes you must know,if you wish that no onerepays you with hostile harm;these are wound about,these are woven together,these are all set togetherat the assembly wherethe peoples shallgo on the days of judgment.

English translation: own translation.

Hugrúnar skalt kunna,ef þú vilt hverjum verageðsvinnari guma;þær of réð, þær of reist,þær of hugði Hroptraf þeim legier lekið hafðiór hausi Heiðdraupnisok ór horni Hoddrofnis.
Thought-runes you must know,if you wish to bewiser in mind than every man;these Hroptr pondered, carved,and devisedfrom the fluidthat had drippedfrom Heiðdraupnir's skulland from Hoddrofnir's horn.

English translation: own translation.

Á bjarg stóðmeð Braga rúnum,á arnar nefok á né nipt;á ulfs klómok á arnar nefok á blóðgum vængjum,á brúar sporðiok á botni skóar,á gleri ok á gulliok á góðu silfri.
On the rock they stoodwith Bragi's runes,on the eagle's beakand on the nail of the corpse;on the wolf's clawsand on the eagle's beakand on blood-stained wings,on the bridge's endand on the sole of the shoe,on glass and on goldand on good silver.

English translation: own translation.

Á víni ok á virtri,á vel sorinni seiðbrautu,á Gungnir ok á Granaok á norna stóliok á nýbjargri nasar.Á handa hverjumok á heljar fjǫtriok á Baldrs böðvarþingum,á óski ok á óðniok á þóri ok á þjalfi,á líni ok á leyfi,á lausnar leyfi löndum.
On wine and on ale,on a well-cooked seiðr-road,on Gungnir and on Graniand on the norns' seatand on the newly born nose of the bear.On every handand on Hel's fetterand on Baldr's battle-assemblies,on wish and on wisdomand on Þórr and on Þjálfi,on linen and on leaf,on the release-permission of the lands.

English translation: own translation.

Á Rindar rifjuok á ráðs gǫtu,á Árar þverriok á Ármáli,á völva vendiok á vígspjótiok á brúðar bringu,á bernar bringu.
On Rindr's ribsand on the path of counsel,on the river's cross-pieceand on the year's mark,on the völva's wandand on the battle-spearand on the bride's breast,on the bear's breast.

English translation: own translation.

Á glas ok á glímuok á blóðgum vængjum,á hregg ok á hrafniok á hauk ok á vindi,á ísur ok á eldok á efjufrost;Síðan skalt scrífaok þat mega munaok fara þær rúnar,þær er gera meguallt þat er þú vilt.
On glass and on wrestlingand on blood-stained wings,on storm and on ravenand on hawk and on wind,on ice and on fireand on covering hoarfrost;then you shall carveand be able to rememberand carry those runesthat can bring aboutall that you desire.

English translation: own translation.

Nú skaltu kjósa,er þér kosta er gefinn,hvat þú þér velja vill,öll eru mál áí þínum megin,maðr ins mæra tré.
Now you shall choose,since choice is given to you,what you wish to select for yourself,all words are withinyour power,man of the renowned tree.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðumk þér, Sigurðr,ok rǫð þú náir,at þú ráð nemir,þat mun þér gott ef þú getr,ilt verðr þér ef þú tekr þvegit.
I counsel you, Sigurðr,and you shall reach the counsels,that you take the counsels to heart,it will be good for you if you can do so,it will go ill for you if you do not take them.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðumk þér, Sigurðr,ok rǫð þú náir,at þú rógseims varisk;betr er þér þaten þú blauðr séir,hitt er gott ef þú getr.
I counsel you, Sigurðr,and you shall reach the counsels,that you beware of the thread of slander;it is better for youthan to be a coward,it is good if you can manage it.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðumk þér, Sigurðr,ok rǫð þú náir,at þú aldri arganat þingi þegir,þvíat sárt er þat,er þú svart tekrvanga varðr at verða.
I counsel you, Sigurðr,and you shall reach the counsels,that you never keep cowardly silenceat the assembly,for it is painfulif you receive a black markand must become the guardian of your cheeks.

English translation: own translation.

Líknar rúnar skaltu kunna,ef þú lækna vilt;ok rísta á berkiok á baðmi viðar,þeim er lúta austr limar.
Healing-runes you shall know,if you wish to cure;carve them on barkand on the wood of branches,on those trees whose boughs lean eastward.

English translation: own translation.

Bjargrúnar skaltu kunna,ef þú bjarga viltok leysa kind frá konum;á lófa þær skal rístaok of liðu spennaok biðja þá dísir duga.
Birth-runes you shall know,if you wish to saveand free the child from the womb;in the palms they must be carvedand clasped about the joints,and then the dísir must be asked for aid.

English translation: own translation.

Brimrúnar skaltu rísta,ef þú vilt á brim verjaseglmara sonum þínum;á stafni skaltu rístaok á stjórnarblaðiok brenna eld á ár.
Surf-runes you shall carve,if you wish to guard your sons' sail-steedsupon the sea;on the prow you shall carve themand on the rudder-blade,and burn fire on the oar.

English translation: own translation.

Málrúnar skaltu kunna,ef þú vilt at mangi þérheiptum gjaldi harm;þær um vindr,þær um vefrok um saman setja,á þingi þar sem þjóðan skulufulla dóma fara.
Speech-runes you shall know,if you wish that nonerepay you with enmity and harm;they must be wound,they must be wovenand set together,at the assembly where the people shallpronounce their full verdicts.

English translation: own translation.

Hugrúnar skaltu kunna,ef þú vilt hverjum verageðsvinnari guma;þær of réð,þær of reist,þær of hugði Hroptr,af þeim legier lekið hafðiór hausi Heiðdraupnisok ór horni Hoddrofnis.
Mind-runes you shall know,if you wish to be wiser in thoughtthan any man;Hroptr devised them,Hroptr carved them,Hroptr pondered them,from the liquidthat had drippedfrom the skull of Heiðdraupnirand from the horn of Hoddrofnir.

English translation: own translation.

Á bjarge stóðmeð Brímlaukar,hafði sér á höfði hjálm;þá mælti Míms höfuðfróðlegt it fyrsta sinn,ok sagði sannlegar stafi.
He stood on the rockwith the Brímlaukar,wearing a helmet on his head;then Mimir's head spokefor the first time with wisdomand uttered true words.

English translation: own translation.

Á skildi kvað ristnarfyr skínanda goði,á eyra Árvakrsok á Alsviðs hófi,á því hvéli er snýstundir reið Hrungnis,á Sléipnis tönnumok á sleða fjötrum,á bjarna klómok á Brásvelli,á úlfs klómok á arnar nefja,á blóðugum vængjumok á brúar sporði,á lausnar lófaok á líknar stigi,á gleri ok á gulliok á gǫlkni manna,í víni ok í veltiok á Gungnir oddi,á Grana brjóstiok á nornanna nögliok á nefja uglu.
Carved, he said, they wereon the shield before the shining god,on Árvakr's earand on Alsviðr's hoof,on the wheel that turnsbeneath Hrungnir's chariot,on Sleipnir's teethand on the sleigh's traces,on the bear's clawand on Brávellir,on the wolf's pawand on the eagle's beak,on bloodied wingsand on the bridge's end,on the palm of releaseand on the healing-step,on glass and on goldand on men's life-gifts,in wine and in aleand on Gungnir's point,on Grani's breastand on the nail of the nornsand on the owl's beak.

English translation: own translation.

Nú eru Hávamálkveðin Háva hǫllu í,allþǫrf ýta sonum,óþǫrf jǫtna sonum;heill sá er kvað,heill sá er kann,njóti sá er nam,heilir þeirs hlýddu.
Now the Hávamálhave been spoken in the hall of the High One,of great need for the sons of men,of no use to the sons of giants;hail to the one who spoke them,hail to the one who knows them,may the one who learned them benefit,hail to those who listened.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðumk þér, Gunnarr,ok þú ráð nemir,mun þér at gǫðu ganga:at goðum skaltueigi níðask nemaþú í nauð þik séir.
I counsel you, Gunnarr,and you shall take the counsel,it will go well for you:toward the gods you shalloffer no insultunless you see yourself in dire need.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðumk þér, Gunnarr,ok þú ráð nemir,mun þér at gǫðu ganga:konu þá er fjölkunnig erskaltu eigi í rekkju hafa,þótt þú hana lífs lystir.
I counsel you, Gunnarr,and you shall take the counsel,it will go well for you:a woman skilled in magicyou shall not take to your bed,though you desire to share her life.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðumk þér, Gunnarr,ok þú ráð nemir,mun þér at gǫðu ganga:þá er þú at þingi þitt færhitt þú at hvárígi,hvárr þín vinr er meirr.
I counsel you, Gunnarr,and you shall take the counsel,it will go well for you:when you come to the assemblyseek not to test which of two menis the greater friend to you.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðumk þér, Gunnarr,ok þú ráð nemir,mun þér at gǫðu ganna:at illum manniskaltu eigi orð þitt selja,þótt hann þér gótt bjóðisk.
I counsel you, Gunnarr,and you shall take the counsel,it will go well for you:to a wicked manyou shall not give your word,though he offer you fair things.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðumk þér, Gunnarr,ok þú ráð nemir,mun þér at gǫðu ganga:at dausðum manniskaltu eigi orð þitt selja,þótt hann þér gótt bjóðisk.
I counsel you, Gunnarr,and you shall take the counsel,it will go well for you:to a dead manyou shall not give your word,though he offer you fair things.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðumk þér, Gunnarr,ok þú ráð nemir,mun þér at gǫðu ganga:við systr þínarskaltu þínar hvárgar geyma,gǫfugr maðr es sá er segir.
I counsel you, Gunnarr,and you shall take the counsel,it will go well for you:before your sistersyou shall guard both your secrets,noble is the man who speaks nothing.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðumk þér, Gunnarr,ok þú ráð nemir,mun þér at gǫðu ganga:í orrostu skaltualdri verða sá fyrstier flýr, þótt óttinn ljóti.
I counsel you, Gunnarr,and you shall take the counsel,it will go well for you:in battle you shallnever be the firstto flee, though fear be ugly.

English translation: own translation.

Ráðumk þér, Gunnarr,ok þú ráð nemir,mun þér at gǫðu ganga:at heiptum skaltueigi gjalda gram;þó getr þú þér þar vísa.
I counsel you, Gunnarr,and you shall take the counsel,it will go well for you:with enmity you shallnot repay the prince;yet you may gain yourself a guide there.

English translation: own translation.

Nú skaltú kjósa,sem þér er kostr gefinn,hvárr þú vilt hafa:hlíf þessa lífseða Heljar lífok Niflheims niðr.
Now you shall choose,as the choice is given to you,which you wish to have:the shelter of this lifeor the life of Heland the depths of Niflheim.

English translation: own translation.

Hræðask mun ek eigiþótt mik hræðask sjái,líf mun ek kjósa,meðan ek lifa mæ,ok verðr sér bezt,sá es orðstír of getr.
Fear I will not,though others may see me fear,life I will choose,as long as I am able to live,and best does it go for himwho wins a glorious name.

English translation: own translation.

Key concepts

  • rúnir , the most complete presentation of rune-wisdom in Eddic poetry; each rune type is linked to cosmic order
  • valkyrja , Sigrdrífa as a punished valkyrie reflects Odin's control over the battlefield's outcome
  • Brynhildr , the identification of Sigrdrífa with Brynhildr is textually disputed
  • Sigurðr , the recipient of the rune-wisdom; his choice to accept fate despite the warnings
  • ljóðaháttr , the wisdom-metre connecting the poem to Hávamál and Vafþrúðnismál

Interpretive traditions

A What we know

Sigrdrífumál is preserved in Codex Regius. The poem is the last continuous text before the great lacuna in the manuscript.

The rune-teaching (stanzas 5-19) constitutes the most detailed presentation of practical rune-magic in Eddic poetry. Each rune category is linked to specific objects and situations.

The greeting stanza ('Heill dagr, heilir dags synir') is among the most quoted stanzas in Old Norse literature and has parallels in Vedic morning hymns.

The life-counsel in stanzas 24-35 partially overlaps with the gnomic sections of Hávamál, confirming a shared wisdom tradition.

B What we think we know

Whether Sigrdrífa and Brynhildr are the same figure or originally separate characters merged in the tradition is debated. Völsunga saga treats them as the same person.

The rune section has been regarded by some scholars as an independent rune-wisdom poem inserted into the Sigurðr cycle. Its self-contained character supports this view.

The life-counsel's address to 'Gunnarr' (rather than Sigurðr) in stanzas 28-35 possibly suggests a different original context or a conflation of traditions.

C What we do not know

What the lost leaves of Codex Regius contained cannot be established with certainty. Völsunga saga's prose version offers a possible reconstruction, yet its relation to the lost verse original remains unknown.

Whether the Vedic parallel to the greeting stanza reflects a shared Indo-European heritage or independent development cannot be determined with current evidence.

Sources and further reading

Primary sources

  • Neckel, Gustav, och Hans Kuhn. 1983. Edda: Die Lieder des Codex Regius nebst verwandten Denkmälern. 5. uppl. Heidelberg: Winter.

Translations

  • Bellows, Henry Adams (trans.). 1923. The Poetic Edda. New York: The American-Scandinavian Foundation. (PD)
  • Larrington, Carolyne (trans.). 2014. The Poetic Edda. Rev. ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Scholarly works

  • Lindow, John. 2001. Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Simek, Rudolf. 1993. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. Translated by Angela Hall. Cambridge: D. S. Brewer.
  • de Vries, Jan. 1956–1957. Altgermanische Religionsgeschichte. 2 vols. Berlin: de Gruyter.
  • Turville-Petre, E. O. G. 1964. Myth and Religion of the North: The Religion of Ancient Scandinavia. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson.