Loki, the cunning trickster god of Norse mythology, holds a peculiar position among the gods, giants, and other spiritual beings in the pre-Christian Norse religion. While often portrayed as a nominal member of the divine pantheon, Loki’s nature remains ambivalent and distinct. Surprisingly, it is not Loki himself but Loki’s children who emerge as some of the most fearsome figures in Viking folklore.
Loki’s sons and daughters with giantess Angrboda include Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Hel. These children feared and shunned by the Aesir gods, are prophesied to play a pivotal role in bringing about the gods’ destruction. Alongside his Aesir wife, Sigyn, Loki also fathered Narfi and Vali, whose fates are intertwined with their father’s misdeeds, destined to bear the consequences of his actions.
Loki’s Children with Giantess Angrboda
In Norse mythology, Angrboda stands as a prominent jotunn, belonging to the race of giants. The Poetic Edda references her as the mother of three notorious offspring: Fenrir, Hel, and Jörmungandr, all sired by the trickster god Loki. Despite being the son of the giant Farbauti, Loki is considered one of the Aesir, the gods of Asgard, likely due to his mother Laufey’s affiliation with the Ásynjar, the goddesses.
Fenrir the God of Destruction
Fenrir is a fearsome and significant dragon in Norse Mythology. He is the son of the mischievous god Loki and the giantess Angrboda and is known for his immense size and strength, so much so that no chains could hold him. Fearing the destruction he and his siblings might bring upon the nine worlds, the Aesir gods sought to imprison them.
To subdue Fenrir, the Aesir resorted to cunning. They played on his pride and challenged him to break free from specially crafted chains. Twice, the gods forged chains to bind him, and twice Fenrir easily broke free. Realizing the need for something extraordinary, they sought the help of the skilled dwarves, renowned craftsmen of the Norse cosmos, to create a chain that could withstand Fenrir’s strength.
The dwarves created Gleipnir, a seemingly unremarkable ribbon-like chain made from impossible materials, rendering it unbreakable. When the gods asked Fenrir to allow himself to be shackled by Gleipnir, he was cautious and suspicious of their intentions. He agreed to be bound only under the condition that one of the Aesir placed their hand in his mouth as a guarantee of his release. Tyr, the god of war, volunteered and lost his hand in the process.
During Ragnarok, the apocalyptic event, Fenrir will eventually break free from his restraints and unleash his wrath across the nine worlds, wreaking havoc on everything in his path, including Odin, the powerful king of the Aesir gods. Fenrir’s rampage is foretold to be devastating, leading to immense destruction and chaos. However, his reign of terror is destined to end, as one of Odin’s sons, Víðarr will seek vengeance and finally slay Fenrir.
Jormungandr – Midgard Serpent
The second child of Loki and Angrboda is Jormungandr, a serpent of limitless growth. In fear of its power, Odin cast the serpent into the sea surrounding Midgard, encircling the world of men. As foretold in the Ragnarok prophecy, Jormungandr’s actions signal the end of the world. In the final battle, Jormungandr and Thor are destined to clash, resulting in their mutual destruction.
Although Thor manages to slay the serpent, Jormungandr’s venomous retaliation proves fatal. The god of thunder succumbs to the poison mere moments after his victory. As a final blow, Jormungandr releases its venom into the air, poisoning the nine realms. This climactic encounter seals the fate of both serpent and god in Norse mythology.
Hel – The Queen of Helheim
The final child of Loki and Angboda was Hel, the goddess of the underworld. She is a figure with a sinister aura despite her appearance. Half of her body was that of a beautiful woman, while the other half resembled a corpse.
Hel is often depicted as a figure with a penchant for greed and a harsh, indifferent nature towards the living and the dead. Her character in Norse mythology portrays her as someone who shows little compassion or concern for the well-being of others.
Odin deemed her fit to rule over the land of the dead, where Vikings who died without honor in battle were destined to go. Thus, she became the ruler of this realm, known as Helheim in her honor. Hel vigilantly guards the souls of her domain until the time of Ragnarok.
During the apocalypse, it is believed that she will join Loki and lead an army of the dishonorable dead to Asgard, the home of the Aesir gods. Perhaps seeking vengeance for the mistreatment of her family, they will unite in battle against the Aesir gods. Hel’s role in the final conflict underscores the dark and complex nature of her character in Norse mythology.
Loki’s Children with Sigyn
Sigyn, pronounced roughly as “SIG-in,” was the devoted wife of the cunning trickster god, Loki. References to her role can be found scattered throughout Eddic and Skaldic poetry, affirming her presence in the Germanic pantheon since ancient times. Notably, the renowned medieval Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson included her among the esteemed Aesir gods and goddesses.
Nari and Vali
Nari and Vali are lesser-known figures, the sons of Loki and Sigyn. Despite being part of the Aesir gods, they do not hold significant status or have specific domains like other gods. The Edda by Snorri Sturluson does not attribute any particular skills or roles to them.
Tragically, Nari, also known as Narfi, met a grim fate at the hands of his own brother, Vali. The Aesir transformed Vali into a wolf, and in his wolf form, he attacked and killed Narfi. The Aesir then used Narfi’s entrails to bind Loki to three stones within a cave.
One stone was placed under his shoulders, the second under his loins, and the third under his houghs. Through the use of seidr, a form of Norse magic, these bonds were turned into unyielding iron, ensuring Loki’s imprisonment.
Sleipnir – Loki’s Child with Steed Svathilfari
In Norse mythology, Sleipnir, the eight-legged steed, stands out as one of the most unusual of Loki. Legend has it that Loki, in the form of a mare, gave birth to Sleipnir after he mated with the powerful steed Svathilfari. The origins of Sleipnir can be traced back to the time when Asgard lacked fortifications, and a skilled builder offered to construct the gods’ protective wall. However, the price demanded his labor was exorbitant, including the hand of the beautiful goddess Freya, the sun, and the moon.
Loki, always cunning, suggested the gods make the task impossible by granting the builder only one season and no assistance from other men. The builder agreed, provided he could use his horse Svathilfari, renowned for its immense strength. As the wall’s construction advanced rapidly, the Aesir feared fulfilling their end of the bargain and sought Loki’s intervention.
The shape-shifting Loki transformed into an enticing mare, captivating Svathilfari and disrupting the builder’s progress. This ploy allowed the gods to renege on their agreement, leading to the builder’s demise. Months later, Loki returned with a magnificent eight-legged horse, Sleipnir, and gifted it to Odin. Odin, recognizing Sleipnir’s exceptional abilities, embraced him as his personal steed.
Sleipnir earned renown as the swiftest and most skilled horse, capable of traversing the nine worlds of the Norse cosmos with ease. While the other monstrous children of Loki often highlight the darker aspects of the gods, Sleipnir’s extraordinary nature sets him apart.