Loki

Lore & Background

Loki’s mythic role is defined by his complex lineage and catastrophic actions. Born to Fárbauti and Laufey, he is the brother of Helblindi and Býleistr. Through his union with the jötunn Angrboða, he fathers Hel, the wolf Fenrir, and the world serpent Jörmungandr. In a unique incident, Loki transforms into a mare, becomes impregnated by the stallion Svaðilfari, and gives birth to the eight-legged horse Sleipnir. His shape-shifting extends to forms like an elderly woman named Þökk ('thanks'). While scholars debate his origins, noting he likely received no formal veneration despite playing a notable role in myth, he is frequently described as a trickster god. His name may derive from the Germanic root *luk-, associated with loops and knots, possibly reflecting his identity as a 'tangler' or inventor of fishnets.

In Their Own Story

The narrative of Loki centers on his betrayal and eventual reckoning. He engineered Baldr’s death, leading to his binding by the gods under a grove of hot springs, where venom drips from a serpent while Sigyn collects it in a bowl. During Ragnarök, he breaks free, joining the jötnar forces alongside his monstrous children to destroy humanity down to two survivors. A specific enmity exists between Loki and Heimdallr; they are foretold to kill each other during this final battle. In the Poetic Edda’s Völuspá, a völva describes Sigyn sitting unhappily with her bound husband before noting Loki appears free as the 'brother of Býleistr' in stanza 51. The Lokasenna poem details his flyting at Ægir’s feast, where he kills servant Fimafeng, insults gods like Bragi and Odin (accusing him of practicing seiðr and bearing children as a woman), and reminds Frigg of his role in Baldr’s death.

Reader's Guide

Loki is attested across multiple 13th-century sources compiled by Snorri Sturluson, including the Prose Edda, Heimskringla, and the Poetic Edda (appearing in Völuspá, Lokasenna, Þrymskviða, Reginsmál, Baldrs draumar, and Hyndluljóð). He is also found in the Norwegian Rune Poem, skaldic poetry, and Scandinavian folklore. Visual depictions include the Snaptun Stone and Kirkby Stephen Stone (possibly showing his mouth stitched shut) and the Gosforth Cross (showing him bound). His bynames include Loptr, derived from 'air' suggesting an association with the sky, and Hveðrungr ('roarer'), used in reference to Hel and Fenrir. Eastern Swedish traditions use forms like Nokk(e), correlating with the etymology of keys and loops.

Did You Know?

• Loki is the father of Hel, Fenrir, and Jörmungandr by the jötunn Angrboða.
• In the form of a mare, Loki was impregnated by Svaðilfari to birth the eight-legged horse Sleipnir.
• Loki’s binding causes earthquakes because his wife Sigyn must empty her venom bowl, leaving him exposed to dripping poison.
• The name Loki may derive from the Germanic root *luk-, meaning loops or knots, linking him to cobwebs and fishnets.
• Loki is foretold to kill Heimdallr, and be killed by him, during the events of Ragnarök.