Geri und Freki

Geri und Freki

In Norse mythology, Geri and Freki (Old Norse, both meaning "The Ravenous" or "The Greedy") are two wolves said to accompany the god Odin. They are attested in the Poetic Edda, a collection of mythological poems compiled in the 13th century, in the Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson, and in skaldic poetry. The pair has been compared to similar figures in Greek, Roman, and Vedic mythology and may be associated with the Germanic tradition of "wolf warriors," the Úlfhéðnar.

Etymology

The names Geri and Freki are derived from Old Norse adjectives meaning "greedy" or "ravenous":

  • Geri comes from the Proto-Germanic root geraz, attested in Old Norse gerr, Old High German giri, and Burgundian girs, all meaning "greedy."
  • Freki stems from the Proto-Germanic frekaz, found in Gothic faihufriks ("covetous, greedy"), Old Norse frekr, Old English frec, and Old High German freh, all meaning "ravenous" or "greedy."

John Lindow interprets both names as nominalised adjectives. Bruce Lincoln suggests a Proto-Indo-European root gher- for Geri, possibly connecting it to the name Garmr, the dog associated with Ragnarök.

Attestations

Poetic Edda

  1. Grímnismál:
    In this poem, Odin (disguised as Grímnir) tells the young Agnarr about his companions. Odin feeds Geri and Freki while subsisting only on wine:

    • Benjamin Thorpe’s Translation:
      "Geri and Freki the war-wont sates,
      the triumphant Father of Hosts;
      but on wine alone the famed in arms,
      Odin, ever lives."

    • Henry Adams Bellows’ Translation:
      "Freki and Geri does Heerfather feed,
      The famed fighter of old;
      But on wine alone does the weapon-decked god,
      Othin, forever live."

  2. Helgakviða Hundingsbana I:
    The wolves are referred to as "Viðrir’s (Odin’s) hounds," depicted as roaming the battlefield and ravenous for the corpses of fallen warriors:

    • Benjamin Thorpe’s Translation:
      "The warriors went to the meeting of swords,
      which they had appointed at Logafiöll.
      Frodi’s peace amongst foes was broken:
      Viðrir’s hounds scoured slaughter-greedy over the isle."

    • Henry Adams Bellows’ Translation:
      "To the battle they went, and the field was chosen,
      At Logafjoll was their meeting;
      Frothi’s peace mid the foes they broke,
      And eager for strife were the hounds of Vithrir."

Prose Edda

  1. Gylfaginning (Chapter 38):
    The figure of High explains that Odin gives all the food on his table to Geri and Freki while sustaining himself solely on wine. High supports this claim by quoting the stanza from Grímnismál.

  2. Skáldskaparmál:

    • Geri and Freki appear in a list of names for wolves and wargs.
    • Skaldic poetry uses their names as kennings (poetic metaphors):
      • Geri:
        • "Geri’s ales" for "blood" (Þórðr Sjáreksson).
        • "Geri’s morsel" for "carrion" (Einarr Skúlason).
      • Freki:
        • "Freki’s meal" for "carrion" (Þórðr Sjáreksson).

  3. Háttatal (Chapter 64):

    • Geri is mentioned again as a common noun for "wolf."

Archaeological Records

The Böksta Runestone depicts a rider believed by some scholars to represent Odin. If this identification is correct, Geri and Freki are shown assisting Odin in hunting an elk.

Theories and Interpretations

Freki as Fenrir

Freki is also used as a name for the monstrous wolf Fenrir in the poem Völuspá from the Poetic Edda. Folklorist John Lindow notes the irony that Odin feeds one Freki (his table companion) and is fated to be devoured by another (Fenrir) during Ragnarök.

Wolf Cult and Archaeological Evidence

Historian Michael Speidel associates Geri and Freki with archaeological depictions of figures wearing wolf pelts, as well as the frequent appearance of wolf-related names in Germanic cultures, including:

  • Wulfhroc ("Wolf-Frock")
  • Wolfhetan ("Wolf-Pelt")
  • Isangrim ("Grey-Mask")
  • Scrutolf ("Robe-Wolf")
  • Wolfram ("Wolf and Raven")
  • Wolfgang ("Wolf-Gait")
  • Wolfdregil ("Wolf-Runner")
  • Vulfolaic ("Wolf-Dancer")

Speidel argues that these findings suggest a pan-Germanic Wolf Warrior Cult centered on Odin, which faded with Christianisation. He connects these wolf warriors to myths about Úlfhéðnar, berserker-like figures who fought in a trance-like fury, invoking the spirit of wolves.

Indo-European Parallels

Scholars have noted similarities between Geri and Freki and the mythological companions of deities in other Indo-European cultures:

  1. Jacob Grimm (19th century) compared Odin’s association with wolves and ravens to that of the Greek god Apollo, for whom these animals were sacred.
  2. Maurice Bloomfield connected Geri and Freki to the two dogs of Yama in Vedic mythology, suggesting they are part of a widespread Indo-European "Cerberus" motif.
  3. Michael Speidel identified parallels with Rudra in Vedic mythology and Mars in Roman traditions, both associated with wolves.

Speidel comments:

"Thus, Geri and Freki, the wolves at Woden’s side, also looked upon the thrones of Anglo-Saxon kings. Wolf warriors, like Geri and Freki, were not mere animals but mythical beings: as Woden’s companions, they embodied his power, as did the wolf warriors themselves."

Symbiosis with Nature

Naturalist Bernd Heinrich proposed that Odin, along with his wolves (Geri and Freki) and ravens (Huginn and Muninn), symbolises an observed symbiosis among wolves, ravens, and humans during hunts:

  • Wolves hunt and provide meat, representing the physical sustenance.
  • Ravens act as scouts, representing keen vision and the gathering of information.
  • Odin, embodying humanity or divinity, symbolises strategy and poetic expression.

Heinrich suggests this myth reflects:

"A poetic metaphor for ancient knowledge of a hunting alliance, where wolves and ravens collaborated with humans in a powerful hunting bond. Odin's myth may symbolise a forgotten era of hunter-gatherer culture, where such alliances were vital before agricultural societies relegated ravens to competitors."

This interpretation ties the Odin myth to a prehistoric understanding of human-wolf-raven collaboration, showcasing the interdependence of species in shared survival strategies.

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