Last Updated on October 21, 2024
Völundarkviða, also known as The Lay of Völundr or Wayland the Smith, is a poem from the Poetic Edda. It tells the story of Völundr, a legendary and skilled smith, and his tragic tale of betrayal, revenge, and escape. Völundr, often associated with the figure of Wayland in Germanic mythology, is a character renowned for his craftsmanship, intelligence, and cunning.
The poem opens by describing Völundr and his two brothers, Egil and Slagfiðr, who live with their Valkyrie wives. After nine years, their wives mysteriously depart. The brothers set out in search of them, but Völundr stays behind, forging exceptional treasures while awaiting his wife’s return. King Níðuðr, hearing of Völundr’s skills, has him captured and imprisoned. He binds Völundr, hampering his abilities by severing the tendons in his legs, rendering him incapable of fleeing or working.
Held captive in the king’s fortress, Völundr’s thoughts turn toward revenge. He crafts intricate and deadly schemes, eventually killing the king’s two sons and fashioning goblets from their skulls. He also seduces the king’s daughter, leaving her pregnant with his child. Finally, using his smithing skills, Völundr creates wings to escape his imprisonment. He taunts King Níðuðr from the skies, revealing the grim fates of his children before flying away, leaving the king and his family in despair.
The poem serves as a compelling narrative that explores themes of loss, betrayal, and retribution. Völundr’s transition from a victim of cruel fate to a mastermind of vengeance leaves an indelible mark on those who read or hear his tale.
Elder Futhark Runes Associated with Völundarkviða
The rune Perthro aligns closely with the themes in Völundarkviða. Representing fate and mystery, Perthro reflects the unseen forces that shape Völundr’s path. His suffering and eventual triumph come through unexpected twists, symbolizing the rune’s connection to chance and destiny. Perthro embodies the hidden knowledge and cunning that Völundr uses to turn the tables on his captors.
Importance of Völundarkviða in Asatru
In Asatru, Völundarkviða serves as a tale of endurance, intelligence, and just revenge. Völundr represents the resilience of the human spirit when faced with cruelty and injustice. His story reinforces values of honor, personal strength, and the power of craftsmanship, all vital to the worldview of the Asatruar.
