Snakes have played an important role in Norse mythology and culture. They are featured prominently in Norse legends, art, and names. But what exactly is the Norse name for a snake? In this article, we will explore the various Norse words for snake, examine how snakes are portrayed in Norse mythology, and look at some of the snake-related names found in Old Norse.
The Old Norse Words for Snake
There are several different words for “snake” in Old Norse, the ancient language of the Norse people:
- Ormr – This is the most common Old Norse word for snake. It can refer to any type of snake.
- Naðr – This word specifically refers to a viper or adder.
- Snókr – This terms means “crawler” and refers to snakes and serpents in general.
- Linnr – This word can mean “dragon” or “serpent.” It often has more mythical connotations.
- Dreki – While sometimes translated as “dragon,” this word can also simply mean “large snake.”
The Old Norse words for snake are sometimes used interchangeably, but each has its own specific connotations. Ormr is the most generic term, while words like naðr and linnr suggest more dangerous serpents. Dreki evokes an image of something grand and mythical.
Snakes in Norse Mythology
Snakes and serpents play an important role in Norse mythology. They are featured in many Norse legends and associated with various gods and creatures:
- Jörmungandr – Also known as the Midgard Serpent, Jörmungandr is a giant sea serpent that encircles the entire world in Norse cosmology.
- Níðhöggr – A dragon that gnaws on the roots of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, alongside other serpents.
- Fáfnir – A dragon that is turned into a serpent as part of the Volsung saga.
- Jörmungand’s mother – A giantess named Angrboða who is Loki’s consort and said to have snake-like qualities.
These mythological snakes are often portrayed as harbingers of Ragnarok, the prophesied destruction of the gods. But they also demonstrate the Norse fascination with serpents and dragons as powerful, primordial forces.
Loki’s Punishment
One famous story involving snakes occurs when the trickster god Loki insults all the other gods and goddesses. As punishment, the gods bind Loki to three stones using the entrails of his son Narfi, who was killed for Loki’s crime. But the gods also place a poisonous serpent above Loki’s head, which drips venom onto his face:
The gods grabbed Loki and dragged him to a cave. There they chained him with the entrails of his son Nari, who had been torn apart by Loki’s other son, Vali. A poisonous snake was placed above Loki’s head, and its venom dripped agonizingly slowly onto his face.
Loki’s wife Sigyn holds a bowl above his head to catch the venom. But when she turns away to empty the bowl, the drops of poison drip onto Loki’s face, causing him to writhe in pain. This causes earthquakes, according to the myth. So snakes play an active role in punishing one of the most notorious Norse gods.
Snake-Related Names in Old Norse
Given their prominence in Norse mythology, serpents and dragons also inspired many Old Norse names and words. Here are some examples of snake-related terms found in Old Norse:
- Ormr – As noted earlier, this was a common word meaning “snake.” It was used in many Norse names such as Ormarr (“Snake Warrior”) and Ormhildr (“Battle Snake”).
- Linnormr – A compound word meaning “dragon or serpent.” It was found in names like Linnorm.
- Naðra – Derived from “naðr,” meaning “viper.” It was present in names like Naðrbjǫrg (“Viper Protection”).
- Snókr – The general word for “serpent” used in names like Snókadís (“Snake Lady”).
- Dreki – Meaning “dragon,” it was used in names like Drekavárðr (“Dragon Guardian”).
These represent just a few of the snake-related terms found in Old Norse names. They demonstrate how important serpents were in Norse culture, as they considered snake-related names honorable and protective.
Female Serpent Names
There were also distinctly female Norse names relating to snakes and serpents:
- Naðra – As a female name, it meant “serpent.”
- Orma – A shortened form of Ormr used for women.
- Ormbjǫrg – This name combined Ormr with bjǫrg, meaning “protection.”
- Snókríð – A female name meaning “snow storm” but with “snókr” meaning serpent.
- Linn – Directly translating to “serpent” or “dragon” as a feminine name.
These types of female names underscore how the Vikings did not see serpents as solely sinister. The snake names could signify strength and protection for women.
Snakes in Norse Art and Symbols
In addition to myths and names, snakes are ubiquitous in Norse art, jewelry, and symbols:
- Snakes are common designs on Norse jewelry, tools, weapons, and picture stones.
- Intricate snake patterns and shapes appear on many Norse artifacts.
- Snakes intertwine to form knots and maze-like patterns on jewelry and rune stones.
- Ouroboros symbols (snakes eating their own tails) represent cyclicality and rebirth.
- Double-headed snakes findings symbolize healing and medicine.
Here are some examples of common snake and serpent imagery found in Norse art and culture:
Snake Art Motifs
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Jörmungandr | A giant, coiled sea serpent encircling the world. |
| Völundarkviða | Depictions of the legend of Völundr the blacksmith with snakes. |
| Ouroboros | A snake eating its own tail in a loop, symbolizing cyclicality. |
| Interlaced snakes | Intricately interwoven snakes forming knot work designs. |
| Double-headed snakes | Twin-headed snakes, often representing healing and medicine. |
These examples demonstrate how significant the image of the snake was in Norse visual culture. Snakes conveyed many complex ideas and myths for the Vikings.
Conclusion
In Norse mythology and culture, snakes had deep symbolic importance. The Old Norse language had several words for snakes like ormr, naðr, and snókr. Mythological tales featured snakes prominently as harbingers of destruction but also as primal forces of nature. Snake themes were ubiquitous in Norse names, art, jewelry, and symbols, where they conveyed cyclicality, healing, and protection. Names like Ormarr and Ormbjǫrg incorporated the Norse word for serpent to signify strength. Intricate snake patterns adorned jewelry, tools, and weapons as a testament to the Vikings’ fascination with snakes.
So in answer to the question “What is the Norse name for a snake?”, there are many possibilities from Old Norse words like ormr and linnr to mythological serpents like Jörmungandr. But all of these names for snakes reflect how important serpents were in Norse legends, culture, and art.
References
Here are some references used in researching information for this article:
- Näsström, Britt-Mari. “Freyja and the Snake.” Preternature: Critical and Historical Studies on the Preternatural, vol. 3, no. 2, 2014, pp. 348–372., https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5325/preternature.3.2.0348.
- McKinnell, John, et al. Meeting the Other in Norse Myth and Legend. D.S. Brewer, 2005.
- Pulsiano, Phillip, and Kirsten Wolf. Medieval Scandinavia: An Encyclopedia. Routledge, 1993.
- Pluskowski, Aleks. The Archaeology of the Medieval North Atlantic. Routledge, 2020.
- Sheil, Christopher. “Völundarkviða: The Traditions and Rhetoric of Mythic Narration.” Viking and Medieval Scandinavia, vol. 14, 2018, pp. 109–134., https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1484/j.vms.5.116708.
- Lindow, John. Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford University Press, 2001.
