Vidofnir

English

Etymology

Borrowed from Old Norse Víðópnir or Víðófnir.

Proper noun

Vidofnir

1. (Norse mythology) A mythological bird (variously, a falcon or a rooster) that inhabits the top of Mímameiðr, a tree identified with Yggdrasil; sometimes positioned on the brow of another cosmic bird.
   • 1989, William O. Cord, The Teutonic Mythology of Richard Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung, E. Mellen Press, page 175:

     The special magic that lay within Laevatein's powers was such that it was the only weapon that could kill the cock Vidofnir ("Tree Snake").

   • 2003, William P. Reaves (translator), Viktor Rydberg, Our Fathers' Godsaga: Retold for the Young, [1887, Viktor Rydberg, Fädernas Gudasaga berättad för Ungdomen], iUniverse, page 203,

     In the poem Fjölsvinnsmál, which portrays Svipdag's arrival in Asgard, Svipdag asks the guardian by the gate under what condition it would be possible to persuade the subterranean dis Sinmara (the "sinew maimer" Mimir-Nidhad's queen) to surrender the sword she keeps. The guardian replies that Sinmara is gripped by a severe sorrow for which Vidofnir has compassion; she will only be happy again, if a luminous sickle, lying among Vidolfnir′s völnur, is given to her.

   • 2014, Carolyne Larrington, editor, The Poetic Edda, Revised edition, Oxford University Press, page 318:

     18 Vidofnir: in v. 24 it is revealed that Vidofnir is a cockerel roosting in the tree of Mimi.
     […]
     24 Sinmara: probably a giantess, cf. 'pale giantess' in v. 29. How Vidofnir oppresses her is not clear.

   • 2019, Glenn Searfoss, Cycles of Norse Mythology, Andrews UK (Acorn Books), unnumbered page,

     "The unbidden visitor can pass their^{[the wolves Geri and Freki]} sleepless watch by offering up two morsels stripped from beneath the wings of the gay cock, Vidofnir. It is a treat they cannot resist; when tossed at their feet it will allow a man to slip by while they eat."

Usage notes

• In medieval Norse sources, the bird is named in only two stories:
  • The Eddic poem Fjölsvinnsmál, where it is named as a bird at the top of Mímameiðr (“Mimi's Tree”), a vast tree usually identified with Yggdrasil, the Norse world tree.
  • Snorri Sturluson's Eddu-brot, where it is mentioned in passing as a guardian of the gate to Hel.
• Often identified with Vedrfolnir (Old Norse: Veðrfölnir), a hawk that sits between the eyes of an eagle perched on top of the world tree, Yggdrasil.

Translations

mythological bird

• French: Vidofnir
• German: Widofnir, Vidofnir
• Italian: please add this translation if you can
• Japanese: ヴィゾフニル (Vizofuniru), ヴィゾーヴニル (Vizōvuniru), ヴィドフニル (Vidofuniru), ヴィゾープニル (Vizōpuniru)

Further reading

• Veðrfölnir and eagle on Wikipedia.Wikipedia