The Wolves Chasing the Sun and Moon
Why do the sun and moon hurry across the sky?
“The Deluding of Gylfi” explains why the sun moves in such a hurry. A pursuer is close behind. The sun has no choice but to race away, afraid of the wolf chasing it.
The wolf following the sun is called Skoll. One day, he will catch it. The other wolf, Hati, runs ahead of the sun. His prey is the moon. Hati, too, will get his wish and catch the moon.
These wolves belong to a family that came from Ironwood, a forest east of the human world. An old giantess lives there. Other giantesses also make their homes in this forest.
The old giantess gives birth to many giant sons. Every one of them has the shape of a wolf. Skoll and Hati belong to this family.
Sources for this story (2)The Wolves Chasing the Sun and Moon
Sköll heitir ulfr,
er fylgir inu skírleita goði
A wolf called Skoll follows the shining god.
“The Sayings of Grimnir” Stanza 39
“The Beguiling of Gylfi”Gylfaginning
“The Sayings of Grimnir”Grímnismál


Image details
John Charles Dollman “The Wolves Pursuing Sol and Mani” 1909 Public domain View original image
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