Bragi

 

 

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"Bragi (pronounced “BRAG-ee;” Old Norse Bragi, “Poet”)

is the wise and learned bard (Old Norse þulr, pronounced “THOOL-ur”)

of theAesir gods and goddesses. He’s the divine archetype

of ancient Germanic court poets such as Unferð in Beowulf.

According to the Prose Edda, one of the Old Norse words for

“poetry” (bragr) is derived from the name of this god.[1] One Eddic 

poem depicts him as having runes carved on his tongue.[2] 

 

In early Old Norse poetry, he frequently regales renowned heroes upon their entrance to Valhalla. His wife is Idun, the goddess whose fruits guarantee the continued immortality of the gods." (1)

 

Bragi, in some sources, is the son of Odin and Frigg. While in other sources, his mother is Gunnlöd, and other sources say that his mother was never mentioned. Knowing Odin, it is hard to tell who his mother is. Bragi's wife however, is clearly stated. Bragi's wife is the goddess of eternal youth, Idun.

 

Bragi is the lord of all poets, called skalds in northern culture. Some claim that Odin is the greatest poet, and god of poetry, but Bragi is his son. Like father like son! So it is very possible that perhaps Bragi is the lord of human poets, while his father is the lord of poets in general. Many poets throughout the centuries were named Bragi, thus leading to the idea that Bragi was a poet before a god.