- Byggvir
Byggvir is a figure in
Norse mythology . The only surviving mention of Byggvir appears in the prose beginning of "Lokasenna ", and stanzas 55 through 56 of the same poem, where he is referred to as one ofFreyr 's servants and as the husband ofBeyla ."Bygg" is the
Old Norse word forbarley . Subsequently, Byggvir is often identified with thisetymology of his name and connections have been placed with the mentioning of Byggvir's described involvement with mill-grinding as being potential references to barley processing.Lindow (2001:90-91)] Comparisons to the Anglo-Saxon figure ofBeowa (Old English "barley") have been put forth.Bruce (2002:28).]"Lokasenna"
In "Lokasenna", Loki is depicted as degrading Byggvir for being of slight statue and as a gossiper:
Stanza 43:
Stanza 46:
In relation to Loki's comments in "Lokasenna", proposals have been made that Beyla and her husband are personifications of
agriculture associated with Freyr: Beyla as the manure that softens the earth and develops the seed, Byggvir as the refuse of the mill,chaff .Thorpe (1851:198-199.]ee also
*
John Barleycorn
*Sif Notes
References
* Bruce, Alexander M. (2002) "Scyld and Scef: Expanding the Analogues"
Routledge ISBN 0815339046
* Lindow, John (2001). "Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs".Oxford University Press . ISBN 0-19-515382-0
* Thorpe, Benjamin (1851). "Northern Mythology" Vol. I. London: Edward Lumley
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