Northern mythology

NORTHERN MYTHOLOGY. 183
mouth ^, Sindri denotes the smith, from sindr, the red
hot sparks that spring from under the hammer. The name
of Brock might also be explained, if we knew how they anciently
nourished and quelled the lire in their smithies.
has been interpreted, dnj sedge from maj^shy jilaces, but
was this in use ? By closing up Loki^s mouth is signified,
that he quenched the fire.
It
In the name of the band Vartari,
there is evidently a play on the word vor, lip ; the
other part, tari, is not intelligible. From the whole context,
however, it would seem that the allusion is to a fitting
mode of preserving fire, of quelling it, when becoming too
fierce, and finally, when the forging is over, of quenching
it. When Loki came into the abyss he became particularly
evil (kyndugr) 2. This word (from at kynda, to kindle,
Lat. candeo, cendo, Sansk. cand (tsjand), and hugr, mind)
is an excellent example of the transition of physical ideas
to moral. He is represented as a cow and as a woman,
both emblems of bringing forth ; and he there gave birth
to his terrific ofi'spring. The gods were at length com-
'
pelled to confine him. He abides as a salmon in Franangur^s
fors ^ (from frann, glistening). With this may be
compared the Finnish myth, according to which, fire produced
by the gods falls in little balls into the sea, is swallowed
by a salmon, and afterwards found in the captured
fish"*. The glistening appearance of a salmon, its red flesh
and quick motion, might easily induce the ancients to say
there was fire in it. Loki assumed that shape to be as
effectually hidden from the gods as possible, and appeared
in fire^s most innocent form ; but they were too well acquainted
with his guile.
His son Vali, or Ali (the strong),
was by the gods transformed into a wolf, and tore his
brother Nari or Narvi (the binding) ; and Loki was bound
with his bowels. Skadi hung a serpent above his head ^.
1
Page 40. - Hyndlulj. Str. 38. ^ Page 77.
4 Grimm, D. M. p. 577, note.
'"
Pages 31, 78.