From: João S. Lopes Filho
Message: 10423
Date: 2001-10-19
----- Original Message -----
From: <MrCaws@...>
To: <cybalist@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 8:40 PM
Subject: [tied] Re: Odin the Immigrant?
> --- In cybalist@..., "William P. Reaves" <beowulf@...> wrote:
>
> > Hej Chris,
> >
> > I am glad to see someone refute this theory so strongly.
> Personally, I
> > believe that Odin is none other than the *Dyuas Pater of the
> Germanic
> > tribes.
>
> > The 19th century Swedish philosopher and mythologist Viktor Rydberg
> makes an
> > interesting case that Odin, as far as attributes and position most
> resembles
> > the other Indo-European sky-fathers. Rather than a change of
> position, Odin
> > simply underwent a name change.
>
> > Some of the evidence Rydberg cites is Odin's place among two
> brothers and
> > co-creators. His battle for supremecy over an earlier race of
> giants, whom
> > he is related to. His position as a Sky-god. (His single eye
> represents the
> > single eye of the sky, either sun or moon). His positon as ruler of
> > storms/battle. His casting weapon (Gungnir). His marriage to the
> earth. Also
> > his designation as All-father.
>
>
> Although Odin was the head of the pantheon and a god of war, many of
> his other attributes don't fit well with what I know of Zeus/Jupiter
> >From what I've read, storms are more the territory of Thor. I'd be
> interested in material linking Odin with storms.
> I interpret Odin's one eye differently. Odin sacrificed his eye to
> drink from the well of knowledge or see the future. This is similar
> to Horus asking Ra to see all of creation, and going blind as a
> result.
> This is one of many instances where Odin exposes himself to danger
> or harm in his quest for knowledge-He aslo hung himself of Yggrasadil
> for nine days so that he could learn the art of writing runes, and
> took a trip to Hel to learn the answer to one question. In another
> episode, Odin kept and preserved the head of the slain giant Mimir so
> that he could use it as an oracle.
> Odin's many quests for knowledge and knowledge of the future reveal
> Odin as a magician and prophet. His attire, a cloak and a wide-
> brimmed hat, also support this. He also taught makind the arts,
> particularly poetry, which in myth is linked with prophecy.
> He often wielded his spear Gungnir as a scepter or staff, the tool of
> a magician.
> The spear is also associated with the hunt. Among Odin's animal
> assistants numbered two wolves or dogs, and his eight-legged steed
> Sleipnir. Apparently in some regions Odin was beleived to ride this
> horse on the Wild Hunt. Hunting gods also seem to be associated with
> prophecy for some reason, in my observation.
> Odin also taught mankind the arts, and particularly poetry. Poetry
> and song are linked with prophecy in myth. For some reason, so is
> hunting.
> Odin was also the patron of commerce and travelers, similar to
> Mercury of Hermes. The Romans equated Odin with Mercury rather than
> Jupiter. This can still be seen today in Wednesday or Woden's day,
> and the Italian Mercoledi or Mercury day.
>
>
>
> > The case for Tyr as the Dyuas Pater of the Germanic tribes is based
> on
> > nothing more than etymology of the name. And the theory that the
> Germans had
> > an earlier god named *Tiu which was displaced by Odin is
> unfortunately still
> > current in many scholarly books.
> >
> > I tend to believe that if the Germanics had a god named *Tiu it was
> merely
> > Odin himself under an earlier name, rather than the god Tyr who was
> > displaced by the migrant Odin.
>
>
> Tyr is interesting, I want to learn more about him. I know Tuesday is
> named after Tyr. In Italian, Tuesday is Martedi.
> I also know one story about him: The gods wanted to bind the Fenris
> wolf, and finally made a chain strong enogh to hold him. They
> couldn't think of a way to catch him, though, so they decided instead
> to trick him. They told the wolf they only wanted to test the
> strength of the chain, and they would let him go after that. As proof
> of their sincerity, Tyr put his right hand in the wolf's mouth. The
> gods broke their word, and Tyr lost a hand.
> This seems similar to Odin sacrificing his eye for knowledge. Odin
> gives up one eye to know or see more, Tyr gives up his hand to make
> his word binding. I've read about a pricniple triad of Teutonic
> deities: Odin, Thor, and Tyr. Maybe this corresponds with the old
> Roman triad Quirinus, Jupiter, Mars? I'm still working on that idea.
>
> Cort Williams
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>