Bragi
Snorri makes Bragi the god of poetry (Gylfaginning 26): son of Odin, famous for wisdom and eloquence and fair speech, and the husband of Idun. In Skaldskaparmal it is Bragi who tells the myths to Aegir, and in Lokasenna Loki mocks him as brave on the bench and backward in a fight.
Bragi is the god of poetry according to Snorri, and some scholars take the figure to be a deified ninth-century skald (Bragi Boddason) or a poetic title rather than a cult god; the question is contested and this entry records Snorri's god without settling it. No native Norse planetary rulership exists: the planetary correspondence is a modern / Hermetic overlay (Mercury for eloquence), not an ancient Norse attribution.
Correspondences
- Planetary Correspondence
- Mercury
- Zodiac Affinity
- GeminiLibraSagittarius
Offerings
- Offerings
- MeadAlePoetryHoney
Sacred timing
- Sacred Timing
Symbols and forms
- Alternate Names
- Bragi the OldBragi inn gamli
- Gender Expression
- Masculine
- Titles
- God of PoetryThe Skald of AsgardGold-TonguedBearer of the Mead
- Symbols
- HarpMeadRuneFeather
Practice
- Invocation Approach
- ToneWarm eloquentAddressBragiSkald of AsgardGold-TonguedRelationshipThe one who gives the work its shapeWarningHe praises the maker and not the flatteryResonancePoets singers and anyone who has to speak well
- Modern Practice
Bragi is invoked at the start of a poem, a performance or any speech that has to carry: a cup of mead is poured and the first lines are spoken to him. Poets and songwriters keep him as the patron of the craft rather than of inspiration alone, and praise well given is the offering.
Nature and meaning
- Domain
- PoetryEloquenceSkaldcraftSpeechPraiseMemoryInspiration
- Mythology Summary
Snorri makes Bragi the god of poetry (Gylfaginning 26): son of Odin, famous for wisdom and eloquence and fair speech, and the husband of Idun. In Skaldskaparmal it is Bragi who tells the myths to Aegir, and in Lokasenna Loki mocks him as brave on the bench and backward in a fight. His name is the ordinary Old Norse word for a poem (bragr), which is why a poet can be called Bragi.
Details
- Correspondences
- ColorsGoldSilverBlueScentsFrankincenseBergamotSandalwood redMetalsSilverElectrumAnimalsRavenSwanSwallow
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