Surtur

Surtur

In Norse mythology, Surtr (/ˈsɜːrtər/; Old Norse: [ˈsurtz̠]; meaning "black" or "the dark-skinned one," modern Icelandic Surtur), sometimes spelled Surt, is a Jötunn. Surtr is mentioned in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and the Prose Edda, written by Snorri Sturluson in the same century. Both sources depict Surtr as a key figure during the events of Ragnarök. He is foretold to wield a bright flaming sword in battle against the Æsir gods, clash with the major god Freyr, and ultimately engulf the world in flames.

The Prose Edda provides additional details about Surtr, describing him as the guardian of the fiery realm of Múspell, the leader of "Múspell's sons" during Ragnarök, and the one destined to defeat Freyr. Surtr has inspired place names, artistic depictions, and scholarly theories about his attributes and origins.

Attestations

Poetic Edda

Surtr is mentioned twice in the poem Völuspá, where a Völva (seeress) shares prophetic knowledge with Odin. The Völva predicts that during Ragnarök, Surtr will come from the south with fire and wield a sword so bright it shines like the sun:

Old Norse:

Sutr ferr sunnan
með sviga lævi:
skinn af sverði
sól valtiva.

Translation:

Surtr moves from the south
with the scathe of branches:
from his sword shines
the sun of the slain gods.

The Völva continues, describing how "rocky peaks clash," "troll-women walk the roads," "warriors tread the path of Hel," and the heavens "split apart." Later, she mentions Surtr fighting "Belis curse"—a kenning referring to Freyr, who slew the giant Beli. The poem does not elaborate on the details of the battle between Surtr and Freyr. Subsequently, it describes how the world will be consumed by flames but later reborn, fertile and filled with life, as the surviving gods reunite.

In the poem Vafþrúðnismál, the wise Jötunn Vafþrúðnir asks Odin, disguised as "Gagnráðr," the name of the plain where Surtr and the gods will meet in battle. Odin responds that the "sacred field" is called Vígríðr and spans "a hundred leagues in every direction."

Later in the poem, Odin asks Vafþrúðnir which Æsir god will rule over the divine realms once Surtr’s fire is extinguished. Vafþrúðnir answers that Thor's sons, Móði and Magni, will inherit Thor's hammer, Mjöllnir, "when Surtr’s fire is doused."

In Fáfnismál, the hero Sigurd asks the dying dragon Fáfnir the name of the island where Surtr and the Æsir will clash in battle. Fáfnir reveals it is called Óskópnir, where all the gods will march with spears, and the bridge Bifröst will break beneath them, causing their horses to drift in the great river.

The late Eddic poem Fjölsvinnsmál (stanza 24) contains the cryptic phrase Surtur sinn mautu or Surtur sinn mantu, depending on the manuscript. These words have no clear meaning but are sometimes emended to Sinmöru, interpreted to suggest that Surtr has a female companion named Sinmara. Lee Hollander tentatively identifies Sinmara as Surtr’s wife, though she is not mentioned elsewhere.

Attestations

Prose Edda

In Gylfaginning:

  • Chapter 4: The figure known as "Third" explains to Gangleri (disguised as King Gylfi) the location of Múspell. He describes it as a bright, flaming region that existed before Niflheim and is impassable to outsiders. Surtr guards its borders with a flaming sword and will bring destruction at the end of the world, defeating the gods and burning the entire earth. A stanza from Völuspá is quoted, predicting Surtr’s fiery march from the south.

  • Chapter 18: Gangleri asks what will protect the hall Gimlé when "Surtr’s fire burns heaven and earth."

  • Chapter 51: High describes the events of Ragnarök. The heavens will open, and the sons of Múspell will ride forth, led by Surtr. Surtr will carry a sword shining brighter than the sun, and his fiery forces will cross the bridge Bifröst, which will break beneath them. The battle will take place on the plain of Vígríðr, where Fenrir, the Midgard Serpent, Loki, Hrym, and other Jötnar will arrive. Surtr will face Freyr in combat, and though the battle will be fierce, Freyr will fall because he lacks the "good sword" he once gave to his servant Skírnir.

High continues, stating that after Heimdallr and Loki fight (killing each other), Surtr will unleash fire across the earth, burning the entire world. High cites ten stanzas from Völuspá to support this. After the destruction, a new world will rise, fertile and reborn, with surviving gods and two humans, Líf and Lífthrasir, who hid from "Surtr’s fire" in the forest Hoddmímis holt.

In the epilogue of Skáldskaparmál, a euhemerized account equates "Surtr’s fire" with the burning of Troy. In Chapter 2, a skaldic poem by Eyvindr skáldaspillir mentions "Surtr's deep valleys," using Surtr’s name as a general term for a Jötunn. In Chapter 75, Surtr is listed among the "very powerful" Jötnar.

Theories

  • Rudolf Simek theorizes that the concept of Surtr is ancient, citing mentions in 10th-century skaldic poems by Eyvindr skáldaspillir and Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld, as well as the name of the volcanic cave Surtshellir in Iceland, recorded in the medieval Landnámabók. Simek notes that while Jötnar are typically associated with the east, Surtr’s southern origin reflects his connection to fire and heat. He suggests that Icelanders imagined Surtr as a powerful giant governing volcanic fire and that his role as an enemy of the gods likely did not originate in Iceland.

  • Bertha Phillpotts posits that Surtr’s depiction was inspired by Icelandic volcanic eruptions and that he functions as a volcanic demon.

  • Andy Orchard suggests that Surtr’s flaming sword in Gylfaginning is reminiscent of the biblical angel with a flaming sword guarding Eden.

  • John Lindow proposes that Surtr’s name, meaning "black," could reflect his charred, fiery appearance.

  • Richard Cole compares Snorri’s description of Múspell’s sons to the medieval motif of the "Red Jews," identifying parallels between Snorri’s account and this apocalyptic imagery.

Worship

The Icelandic Landnámabók describes a 150-km journey by Þorvaldur holbarki Þorðarson to Surtshellir (Surtr’s cave) to compose a praise poem (drápa) for the giant, a ritual act. Archaeological studies in the cave (2001, 2012, 2013) uncovered evidence of Viking Age rituals predating Iceland’s conversion to Christianity. These findings suggest efforts to appease Surtr or strengthen the gods against his destructive power, offering potential evidence of Jötnar worship.

Place Names and Modern Influence

  • Icelandic Place Names: The volcanic cave Surtshellir and the island Surtsey (formed in 1963) are named after Surtr.

  • Astronomical Names: Surtr has inspired the naming of a moon of Saturn (Surtur), a volcano on Jupiter’s moon Io (Surt), and a Jupiter-sized exoplanet orbiting the dwarf star Muspelheim (2019).

  • Modern Media:

    • Surtr appears as a character in Marvel Comics, debuting in Journey into Mystery #97 (October 1963).
    • He was portrayed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thor: Ragnarok (2017).
    • A female operator in the mobile game Arknights is named after Surtr.
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