The Homes Rig Visited
What came of Rig's journey?
In the prose introduction to The Lay of Rig, the god Heimdall travels along the seashore, calling himself Rig at the homes he visits. He visits one home after another, staying 3 nights in each. When 9 months have passed after he leaves, a boy is born in that home.
The boy born in the first home is Thrall. When he grows up, he carries heavy loads. His descendants become a family of slaves. Karl is born in the next home. He grows up to tend cattle and plow the fields. His descendants become a family of farmers.
Jarl, a noble lord, is born in the last home. As a baby, he is wrapped in silk. As he grows, he learns to use a bow and sword. Rig returns, calls Jarl his son, and teaches him runes.
Jarl has children of his own. The youngest is Kon. Kon masters the power of runes. He can help people, blunt the edges of swords, and calm the sea.
Sources for this story (1)The Homes Rig Visited
The Lay of Rig tells how the different ranks of society began. It does not say when these events took place. Here, it follows Ask and Embla so that you can read it after the story of the first humans.
Rígr gangandi,
rúnar kendi;
Rig came walking and taught him runes.
“The Lay of Rig” Stanza 36
“The Lay of Rig”Rígsþula
Image details
W.G. Collingwood “Rig in Great-grandfather's Cottage” 1908 Public domain View original image
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