Sónar-göltr

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Sónar-göltr

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

1 sónar-göltr (sónar-gǫltr)

m. the ‘atonement-boar,’ consecrated to the sun-god Frey. The ancient sacrifice of atonement (sónar-blót) was thus performed:—the largest boar that could be found in the kingdom was on Yule-eve led before the king and his men assembled in the hall; the king and his men then laid their hands on the boar’s bristly mane and made a solemn vow, strengja heit at Braga-falli. The animal being sacrificed, divination took place, probably by chips shaken in the boar’s blood; for descriptions see Herv. S. ch. 10 (Fas. i. 531, 532), Hkv. Hjörv. (the prose), Yngl. S. ch. 21 (ganga til sónar-blóts til fréttar). The boar’s head at Yule-tide in Queen’s College, Oxlord, is probably a relic of this ancient heathen sacrificial rite.

Orthography

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Runic Inscription

ᛋᚢᚾᛅᚱ-ᚴᚢᛚᛏᚱ

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

ch
chapter.
ch.
chapter.
Fr
French in etymologies.
gl
glossary.
gl.
glossary.
id
idem, referring to the passage quoted or to the translation
l.
Linnæus.
m.
masculine.
prob
probable, probably.
S.
South, Southern.
v.
vide, verb.

Works & Authors

Fas.
Fornaldar Sögur. (C. II.)
Hkv.
Helga-kviða Hundingsbana. (A. II.)
Hkv. Hjörv.
Helga-kviða Hjörvarðssonar. (A. II.)
Yngl. S.
Ynglinga Saga. (C. II.)

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