Hávamál

Hávamál

"Hávamál" ("Sayings of the high one") is presented as a single poem in the Poetic Edda. The poem, itself a combination of different poems, largely presents advice for living and survival composed around the central figure of Odin and some verses are written from the perspective of Odin. Composed in the metre "Ljóðaháttr", a metre associated with wisdom verse, "Hávamál" is both practical and metaphysical in content. This is particularly apparent towards the end of the poem, as the poem shifts into an account of Odin's obtaining of the runic alphabet and obscure text relating to various charms and spells Odin knows.Larrington, Carolyne. (Trans.) (1999) "The Poetic Edda", page 14. Oxford World's Classics ISBN 0192839462]

The only surviving source for "Hávamál" is contained within the 13th century Codex Regius and is thought to be no older than from around the year 800 CE though derived from an earlier oral tradition. An early reference to the poem is by Eyvindr skáldaspillir, found in "Hákonarmál" from around the year 960 CE.

Poems

The poems in "Havamal" shift in tone, tenor and narrative position. Numerous English translations exist of the text.

"Gestaþáttr"

The first section "Gestaþáttr", the "guest's section". Stanzas 1 through 79 comprise a set of maxims for how to handle oneself when a guest and traveling, focusing particularly on manners and other behavioral relationships between hosts and guests and the sacred lore of reciprocity and hospitality to the Norse pagans.

The first stanza exemplifies the practical behavioral advice it offers::"All the entrances, before you walk forward,":"you should look at, ":"you should spy out;":"for you can't know for certain where enemies are sitting,":"ahead in the hall"

Number 77 is possibly the most known section of "Gestaþáttr":

"Ljóðatal"

The last section, the "Ljóðatal", deals with the transmission of knowledge and metaphysical mysteries. It is essentially a list and a key to a sequenced number of runic charms. There are correspondences between this section and with the "Sigrdrífumál", in which the awoken valkyrie Sigrdrífa details a number of the runes at her command.

As an example, Section 151 reads::"I know a sixth one if a man wounds me":"with the roots of the sap-filled wood:":"and that man who conjured to harm me,":"the evil consumes him, not me."Larrington, Carolyne. (Trans.) (1999) "The Poetic Edda", page 36. Oxford World's Classics ISBN 0192839462]

The sending of a tree root with runes carved into it is well documented in Norse literature; it was, for example, the cause of death of Grettir the Strong as described in "Grettis saga".

Germanic Neopaganism

Various proponents of Germanic Neopagan groups place an emphasis on "Hávamál" as one source of their religious beliefs, amongst other historical sources. As an example, partially based on "Hávamál" some groups have developed the Nine Noble Virtues.

ee also

*"Nine Herbs Charm"

References

External links

* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe04.htm Hovamol] Translation and commentary by H. A. Bellows
* [http://www.northvegr.org/lore/poetic2/006_01.php Havamal] Translation by Benjamin Thorpe
* [http://vta.gamall-steinn.org/havamal.htm Hávamál] Translation by W. H. Auden and P. B. Taylor
* [http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/havamal.html Hávamál] Translation by Olive Bray


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  • Havamal — Hávamál Le Hávámál (les Dits du Très Haut) est un poème eddique attribué au dieu Odin. Il donne en substance des conseils de sagesse sur un mode de vie qu est censé appliquer tout Homme. Loin d être dogmatique, ce texte réparti en 165 strophes… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Hávamál —   [altnordisch »Sprüche des Hohen«, d. h. Odins], Teil der Edda, Sammlung von Lebensregeln, Zauberliedern und Abenteuern Odins in Spruchform. * * * Ha|va|mal [...va...], das; s [anord. = Sprüche des Hohen]: in der Edda enthaltene Sammlung von… …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Havamal — Die Hávamál (Háv), des Hohen Lied oder die Sprüche des Hohen, heißt eine Sammlung von insgesamt 164 eddischen Strophen, die zu der Lieder Edda gerechnet werden. Ein großer Teil der Gedichte befasst sich, wie die Grímnismál, fast ausschließlich… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Hávamál — Die Hávamál (Háv), des Hohen Lied oder die Sprüche des Hohen, heißt eine Sammlung von insgesamt 164 eddischen Strophen, die zu der Lieder Edda gerechnet werden. Sie gehört zur Weisheitsliteratur. Das Gedicht ist ausschließlich im Codex regius aus …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Hávamál — El extranjero en la puerta (1908) por W. G. Collingwood. Hávamál (Dichos de Hár o Discurso del Altísimo) es uno de los poemas de la Edda poética. Propone una serie de reglas para vivir con sabiduría y para la supervivencia. Algunos versos están… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Hávamál — Le Hávamál est un poème didactique de l Edda poétique révélant la vie du monde paysan concrète, existence terre à terre des bondi, possesseurs du sol. Ce poème du monde paysan qui préserve les mythes de l Edda poétique et la dimension épique de l …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Havamal — (Les Dis du Trés Haut) Le Havamal est un poème Nordique attribué à Odin …   Mythologie nordique

  • Hávamál — noun The Sayings of the High One; the second book of the Poetic Edda …   Wiktionary

  • Havamal — Ha|va|mal [ ha:vama:l] das; s altnord.; »Sprüche des Hohen« (gemeint ist Odin)> Sammlung von Lebensregeln in Sprüchen Odins (Teil der Edda) …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • Havamal —    ‘The Sayings of the High One.’ A poem in the Poetic Edda. This collection of precepts, resembling parts of Ecclesiastes, contains one hundred and forty verses attributed to Odin and a runic section of some twenty verses of a later date. It is… …   Who’s Who in non-classical mythology

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