Gjallarhorn (mythology)

Heimdall with Gjallarhorn and Bifröst - Emil Doepler (1855–1922), first published in 1905

Gjallarhorn ( Old North. "Loud sounding horn") is the horn of the god Heimdall in Germanic mythology , or in the mythological writings of the Old West Norse Edda .

The representation of the Gjallarhorn in its function and use fluctuates in Snorri Sturluson ( Gylfaginning ) between the bugle that calls the gods of Asgard (Gylf. 26; 50) and its use as a drinking horn (Gylf. 14). In the Grímnismál (verse 13) the use as a drinking horn is also described. Rudolf Simek compares the representation as a plot taken from Germanic everyday culture, which he places on the function of the Olifant , the horn of the legendary hero Roland (see Roland's song ).

literature

• Bernhard Maier : Heimdall. In: Heinrich Beck, Dieter Geuenich, Heiko Steuer (eds.): Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde , Vol. 14, de Gruyter, Berlin / New York 1999, ISBN 3-11-016423-X , p. 236 f. (on-line)
• Rudolf Simek : Lexicon of Germanic Mythology (= Kröner's pocket edition . Volume 368). 3rd, completely revised edition. Kröner, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 3-520-36803-X .