Fafner / Fafnír
Fafnir is a prominent figure in Norse mythology, known primarily for his role in the saga of Sigurd the dragon slayer. Originally a dwarf prince, Fafnir’s story is a tragic tale of greed, transformation, and eventual destruction.
Background and Transformation
- Fafnir’s Origins:
- Fafnir was once a member of the Dvergar, a race of dwarves known for their skill in crafting and forging magical items. He was the son of the dwarf king Hreidmar, and he had two brothers: Regin, a master blacksmith, and Ótr, who could transform into an otter.
- The Curse of the Ring and Treasure:
- Fafnir’s descent into greed begins when the god Loki accidentally kills Ótr, Hreidmar’s son, while hunting. As compensation, Loki gives Hreidmar a hoard of gold that includes the cursed ring Andvaranaut, stolen from the dwarf Andvari.
- The curse on Andvaranaut brings misfortune to whoever possesses it, and this curse soon affects Hreidmar and his family.
- Fafnir’s Transformation:
- Fafnir, overcome with greed, becomes obsessed with the treasure, desiring it for himself. After killing his father, Hreidmar, he takes the hoard and retreats to a desolate part of the wilderness, guarding the treasure alone.
- His overwhelming greed and isolation eventually transform him into a dragon, a creature symbolic of hoarding and greed in Norse mythology. In dragon form, Fafnir guards his treasure, but he becomes increasingly paranoid and malevolent, threatening anyone who comes near his lair.
Role in the Saga of Sigurd
- Regin and Sigurd:
- Fafnir’s brother Regin, seeking revenge and the treasure for himself, raises the hero Sigurd and manipulates him into killing Fafnir. He convinces Sigurd to forge a powerful sword, Gram, to defeat the dragon.
- The Slaying of Fafnir:
- Sigurd confronts Fafnir by digging a pit near the dragon’s lair and waiting for Fafnir to pass over him. When Fafnir slithers over the pit, Sigurd drives his sword deep into the dragon’s belly, mortally wounding him.
- In his dying moments, Fafnir warns Sigurd that the treasure is cursed and will bring death and destruction to anyone who possesses it.
- Consuming the Heart:
- After killing Fafnir, Sigurd cooks and eats part of the dragon’s heart. By tasting the dragon’s heart, Sigurd gains the ability to understand the language of birds, who warn him of Regin’s treachery. This foresight saves Sigurd from being betrayed by Regin, who had planned to kill Sigurd and take the treasure for himself.
Symbolism of Fafnir
- Greed and Transformation:
- Fafnir’s story is a cautionary tale about the destructive power of greed. His transformation from a dwarf prince into a dragon reflects how greed can corrupt an individual, turning them into something monstrous.
- In Norse culture, dragons often symbolize hoarding wealth and selfishness, and Fafnir embodies these traits after being consumed by his desire to possess the treasure.
- Cursed Wealth:
- The curse of the treasure, particularly the ring Andvaranaut, plays a central role in Fafnir’s downfall. It represents the idea that wealth obtained through deceit or misfortune brings only misery and destruction. Fafnir’s death and the curse on the treasure continue to affect those who come into contact with it, including Sigurd.
- Fate and Destiny:
- Fafnir’s death at the hands of Sigurd is tied to the theme of fate in Norse mythology. Despite his warnings about the treasure’s curse, Fafnir cannot escape his fate, and his attempt to hoard the treasure only leads to his demise.
Influence and Legacy
- Norse Sagas:
- Fafnir’s story is detailed in the Völsunga Saga, a key text in Norse mythology. His encounter with Sigurd is one of the most famous dragon-slaying myths and has influenced countless other dragon stories in literature and folklore.
- Modern Influence:
- Fafnir’s character has influenced modern depictions of dragons and the dangers of greed in fantasy literature, including J.R.R. Tolkien’s Smaug from The Hobbit. Both Fafnir and Smaug are dragons corrupted by their desire to hoard vast treasures, and their stories share similar themes of greed and downfall.
Conclusion
Fafnir is a powerful symbol of greed and transformation in Norse mythology, representing the dangers of wealth and the moral consequences of hoarding and isolation. His tragic journey from a prince to a dragon who guards his treasure, only to be slain by the hero Sigurd, continues to resonate as a cautionary tale about the perils of unchecked greed and the cursed nature of ill-gotten wealth.
Description
Fafnir (ᚠᚨᚠᚾᛁᚱ) is a dwarf who later turns into a dragon from the Icelandic Völsunga Saga. Fafnir his two brothers Regin and Ótr were the three sons of the sorcerer Hreidmar. Ótr had the like of an otter during the day and when the three Aesir gods Odin, Loki, and Hœnir were traveling they came across the otter. Loki killed the otter with a stone.
When the gods came to Hreidmar’s dwelling they were proud to show off the otter’s skin but Hreidmar and his remaining two sons were not happy and seized the gods. Holding them captive they released Loki and told him to gather a ransom by filling the otter’s skin with gold.
Loki who was very clever filled it with the cursed gold of Andvari as well as the ring Andvaranaut which both were told to be items that would kill whoever possessed them.
When Loki presented the gold to the three Fafnir taken by greed killed Hreidmar to get all of the gold for himself. But due to his greed the curse turned him into a dragon or serpent with the only purpose of guarding his treasure. Fafnir would breath poison onto the lands around him making it impossible to go near his precious treasures.
Regin however plotted vengeance on his brother and recounted the story to Sigurd who later killed Fafnir.
Richard Wagner later retold the story in his epic play The Ring of Nibelung in which a few things are changed. The biggest change in Fafnir is that he is now a giant instead of a dwarf.
