Names for the Sun and the Seasons

What other names do the sun and seasons have?

The Language of Poetry calls the sun “Mundilfari’s daughter,” “Mani’s sister,” and “Glen’s wife.” These names tell us about her family. The book also lists “the fire of heaven” and “the fire of the sky” as ways to describe the sun.

The wind can be called “the breaker of trees.” It can also be described as something that harms trees, sails, and the ropes that hold sails in place, or as a “dog” or “wolf” that attacks them. These names connect the wind with trees and sailing gear.

Fire is called “the brother of the wind” and “the destroyer of trees and houses.” But destruction is not its only link with houses. The book also lists “the sun of houses” as a name for fire.

Winter is “Vindsval’s son,” “the killer of snakes,” and “the season of snowstorms.” Summer is “Svasud’s son,” “the comforter of snakes,” and “the enricher of people.” The seasons, too, can be named through their parents and their ties to living creatures.

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