Myrkwood

Myrkwood ("Dark Wood") was the name of many forests:

1. a forest in Muspellheim
2. a forest in Nithuth's land
3. a forest in Hothbrodd's land
4. a forest in Atli's land


1.
The forest Myrkwood was a dark forest, bounding the fire-world (Muspellheim), through which the fire-giants will ride at Ragnarok to come to the upper worlds.


2.
Myrkwood was a forest in Nithuth's land.
(Völundarkhvita)
"1. Maids from the south | through Myrkwood flew,
Fair and young, | their fate to follow;
On the shore of the sea | to rest them they sat,
The maids of the south, | and flax they spun."

Poetic Edda: Völunfarkhvita - The Lay of Völund


3.
A Forest in Hothbrodd's land.
(Helgakvitha Hundingsbana I)
- Hothbrodd spake:
"Bid the horses run | to the Reginthing,
Melnir and Mylnir | to Myrkwood now,
(And Sporvitnir | to Sparinsheith;)
Let no man seek | henceforth to sit
Who the flame of wounds | knows well to wield."

Poetic Edda: Helgakvitha Hundingsbana I - The First Lay of Helgi Hundingsbane


4.
The fourth Myrkwood (also called Myrky Wood) was a wood, that divided Atli' realm and that of the Gjukungs.
Maybe Myrkheim ("Dark-Home") is identical with Myrkwood.

Poetic Edda: Atlakvitha En Grönlenzka - The Greenland Lay of Atli

 

 

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