Mimameid

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Mimameid , also Mimameidr , Old Norse Mímameiðr , is a tree of Norse mythology , which is equated with the world tree Yggdrasil .

Edda

The tree is mentioned only once in Nordic literature, namely in the song Fjölsvinnsmál , which is part of the Song Edda . There Mimameid is described as a tall tree, the branches of which spread over all countries. It is said that no one knows its roots and no one knows how to fall it, as iron and fire cannot harm it. In his crown sits the golden rooster Widofnir , who harasses Surt and Sinmara . A fire should be made of the fruits of the tree, which will drive out what is in them from sick women. The passage is also translated in such a way that it is about women with childbearing difficulties.

reception

The poet of the song describes Mimameid in such a way that he has a number of features in common with the world tree Yggdrasil, which is why one generally assumes the identity of both trees.

Although the tree name is usually translated as “Mimir's tree”, the tree is literally called “Mimi's tree”. Even if Mimi and Mimir do not have to be identical to each other, one still assumes the same person. Mimir's well lies under the root of Yggdrasil, so it is quite possible to speak of a tree of Mimir.

A view that connects the name of Mimir with the Old Norse concept of fate mjǫtudr “what is measured” does not translate the tree name as “tree of Mimi”, but directly as “measuring tree”; compare Old Norse mjǫtvidr “measuring tree ” as a kenning for Yggdrasil.

The tree is particularly important for women among men. The Old Norse text calls them kelisjúkar . According to one translation, it means ailing women, according to another understanding women with difficulties in giving birth. The fruits of the tree should be used to light a fire and thus (by smoking?) Drive out of them what is in them. Accordingly, the disease or the child to be born.

In the case of childbearing difficulties, the fruits are said to be juniper berries , which were used to treat the prolapse of the uterus (Reichborn-Kjennerud). In Icelandic folk medicine, certain legumes that the Gulf Stream carries to Iceland were also used to facilitate childbirth (low).

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Lieder-Edda: Fjölsvinnsmál 19–24
  2. ^ A b Rudolf Simek : Lexicon of Germanic mythology (= Kröner's pocket edition . Volume 368). 3rd, completely revised edition. Kröner, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 3-520-36803-X .
  3. ↑ Jacob Grimm: German Mythology. 3 volumes. Dieterich, Göttingen 1835. New edition: Marix, Wiesbaden 2007, ISBN 978-3-86539-143-8 , Vol. 1, p. 314
  4. ↑ Lieder-Edda: Völuspá 2
  5. ↑ Åke Viktor Ström, Haralds Biezais : Germanic and Baltic religion. Kohlhammer, Stuttgart 1975, ISBN 3-17-001157-X , p. 254
  6. ^ Arnulf Krause: Lieder-Edda (translation). Reclam Publishing House, 2004
  7. ^ Karl Joseph Simrock: The Edda (translation). 1851 - John Arnott MacCulloch: Eddic . In: Canon John Arnott MacCulloch (Ed.): The Mythology Of All Races, 13 vols. New York 1964, Vol. 2, p. 331 - U. Willerding. In: Johannes Hoops (Ed.): Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde. 2nd edition, 2004, vol. 14, p. 218
  8. ↑ U. Willerding. In: Johannes Hoops (Ed.): Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde. 2nd edition, 2004, vol. 14, p. 218
  9. ↑ John Arnott MacCulloch: Eddic . In: Canon John Arnott MacCulloch (Ed.): The Mythology Of All Races, 13 vols. New York 1964, Vol. 2, p. 331: Gering points out that in Icelands belief a hard legumen borne to Iceland by the Gulf Stream is used for the same purpose.