Bragi Basics

Bragi is the skaldic poet of the Æsir. His name literally means “poet” and may be derived from the Old Norse word for poetry, bragr.

He is the son of Óðin, possibly by the giantess Gunnlöð, and husband of the goddess Iðunn. Bragi is attested in Snorri’s Prose Edda, the Poetic Edda, some lists of Óðin’s sons, and Eiríksmál and other skaldic poetry.

There are also a number of skalds named after him, as one would expect – including Bragi Boddason, Bragi son of Hálfdan the Old, and Bragi Högnason.

There aren’t many stories directly concerning Bragi. He is for the most part indirectly famous as the first poet, the inspiration behind the skaldic works, and for being married to the beautiful goddess of vitality and youthfulness.

In the Lokasenna, Bragi is insulted by Loki, who calls him out as the most cowardly of the gods, and the least willing to join a fight. He also accuses Iðunn of marrying her brother’s slayer – hinting that perhaps Bragi has somehow been responsible for her brother’s death (lore which appears to have been lost to us).

It is also in Lokasenna that Frigg proclaims that if she had a son as brave as Baldr at the banquet, Loki would get his ass kicked. This is one of the passages offered up as evidence that Bragi is Gunnlöð’s son, and not Frigg’s, as she would then be insulting her own son, Bragi, in front of all the gods.

Snorri describes Bragi thus:

“One is called Bragi: he is renowned for wisdom, and most of all for fluency of speech and skill with words. He knows most of skaldship, and after him skaldship is called bragr, and from his name that one is called bragr-man or bragr-woman, who possesses eloquence surpassing others, of women or of men.”

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Signs and Symbols

Harps and other traditional bardic instruments. Long beards and storytellers. Stories, legends and poetry, e.g. the Eddas. Symbols of comfort, luxury, and relaxation. Winter hearths and fire places. Concerts, plays and performances.

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Associated Names

Bragr, Brego.