The unknown builder's stallion, father of Sleipnir, renowned for his superhuman strength.
Svaðilfari is the stallion belonging to the mysterious builder who offered to construct Ásgarðr's walls in exchange for the sun, the moon, and Freyja. The horse is crucial to the builder's work; it is Svaðilfari's extraordinary strength that enables the builder to come close to completing the task within the deadline. The account is found in Gylfaginning 42.
The Æsir realise they risk losing and send Loki to sabotage the work. Loki transforms into a mare and lures Svaðilfari away, whereupon the builder loses his most important tool and fails to meet the deadline. From Loki's union with Svaðilfari, Sleipnir is subsequently born. The name Svaðilfari has been interpreted as 'the one who travels under misfortune' or similar.
Sources in the Eddas
- Gylfaginning 42
- The story of Svaðilfari and the builder is recounted in detail. Own translation.
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Svaðilfari is Sleipnir's father and the builder's horse in Gylfaginning 42, well attested.
B What we think we know
The horse's exceptional strength may symbolise insurmountable natural forces that the Æsir must overcome through cunning.