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OF THE GODS. 131
light-footed boy Thjalfi (the Diligent), and the girl
Eoskva (the Quick)*, are expressive of the speed
with which the thunder-storm flies over. His wife
Sifwith golden hair, denotes the autumnal Earth,
with its fields of yellow ripening corn and fading
grass. In Norway, even to this day, the corn is
thought to be ripened by the autumnal sheet-light-
nings, which are without thunder, and hence they
are called Kornmo.f
The Yanir, in the Asa Mythology, form a pecu-
liar class of beings, originally the enemies of the
^sir, but afterward connected with them on terms
of the closest intimacy. If we turn our attention
to the gods NjorS and Frey, who are reckoned with
that race, it will be evident that they properly be-
long to the Air, and dejiote its beneficial influence
over the life of Nature. The name Vanir, the
Yaoant, Incorporeal (from vanr, empty, void), de-
notes their aerial nature. In what manner the contest
between the .^ir and the Vanir, which was
laid aside in the "World's flrst existence, and con-
cluded by a treaty in which the ^sir gave Hsenir
as a hostage against ISTjorS, should be most correctly
interpreted, it is not so easy to decide. Some be-
lieve the myth to express the idea that the light of
Heaven had to break through thick clouds which
originally enveloped the Earth in order to call forth
Fruitfulness, which thus was thought to be an effect
* Jij^lfl, from ]>j41f, assiduous labor; Eoskva, from roskr, quick,
lively, active; oogn. with Swed. and Ban. rask; Qerm. rasch;
EngLxsisii.
t Or Kornmof', literally, the Corn-ripener.