Loki Basics

By far the most controversial and debated god of the Norse is Loki, and the only thing that most scholars seem to agree on is that he is a trickster god.

He is attested in the Poetic Edda, Prose Edda, skaldic poetry, the Norwegian Rune Poems, and widely throughout Scandinavian folklore. In archaeological finds, he is depicted on the Snaptun Stone, the Kirkby Stephen Stone, and the Gosforth Cross. Despite his controversy, both Eddas state that he is one of the Æsir.

His father is the jötunn Fárbauti and his giantess mother Laufey, though he is most often referred to as the Son of Laufey, suggesting that his mother had a higher social standing than his father. He also has two brothers, Helblindi and Býleistr. Loki is the father of Hel, Fenrir, and Jörmungandr by the giantess Angrboða, and the father of Narfi and Nari by Sigyn. He is the mother of Sleipnir, by the stallion Svaðilfari.

It’s unclear how Loki comes to be counted among the Æsir, but he enjoys a long standing friendship with Thor, and some sort of oath with Óðin, under which the one cannot accept a glass of wine without offering the same to the other. He is responsible for the kidnapping of Iðunn, the death of Skaði’s father, and many other catastrophic occurrences for the gods, but in equal measure he acquires blessings in their name: Thor’s iconic hammer Mjölnir, Sif’s golden hair, Oðin’s spear Gungnir, Freyr’s golden boar Gullinbursti, and Freyr’s great magic ship. Because of Loki’s shenanigans, Ásgard has impenetrable walls, and he further hatches many schemes to win back various lost items and loved ones.

Loki finally comes undone when he brags about the death of Baldr (which it appears he had a hand in) at a party, to Baldr’s mother Frigg. He is tortured for this; tied to three stones with the entrails of his son, with a serpent’s poison dripping into his face from above. His only comfort is his wife, Sigyn who holds a bowl to collect the venom. His screams are said in folklore to be the cause of earthquakes.

At Ragnarök, Loki is fated to break free and lead the armies of the gods’ enemies against them. This “god of lies” will duel with Heimdallr, a god of truth and forthrightness, until the two finally kill each other.

Ydalir.ca

Suggested Signs & Symbols:

Scissors (Sif’s shears) and knives (as adopted by Marvel’s Loki with daggers). Sewing implements, and specifically sewn lips. Sealed lips and “loose lips sink ships” motifs. Gossip. Treasure. Shape-shifting and gender-bending. Horses, wolves, snakes, and foxes. Flies, especially biting flies, spiders, and spider webs. Traps, netting and bondage. Tricks, pranks, comedians and jesters. The concept of “the Silver Tongue,” i.e a real smooth talker! The Joker card and Stage magic.

Ydalir.ca

Associated Names:

Loptr, Lodur, Hveðrungr, Lokki, Lokkemand, Loke, Lokke, Luki, Luku, Lukki.