Growing up in Norway I learned about the Gjallarhorn (Old Norse: Gjallarhorn) from cartoons. My whole introduction to the Norse myths really first came through an awesome series of cartoons. First among the tings I dreamed of finding was obviously Thor’s hammer and Heimdalls’ horn. It is one of the most famous artifacts owned by any of the gods in Norse mythology. Belonging to the Aesir sentinel god Heimdall, it is hidden away under the roots of Yggdrasil, until that day that it is needed.
According to the prophecy of Ragnarök, Heimdall will blow the Gjallarhorn to awaken the gods and call them into battle. However, there are different clues as to if this is its only use or not, making it even more interesting.
The Origins of Gjallarhorn
One fact I find interesting about the Gjallarhorn is that, at least today, we have no idea where it came from. This is quite different from most of the famous artifacts of the Norse gods, which often have fascinating origin stories. I have written an article a little while ago about the different enchanted artifacts found in Norse myths.
Most of the best known artifacts of the gods were made by the Dark Elves (Old Norse: Dökkálfar). Being master craftsmen and smiths, they crafted many artifacts with magical properties. When Heimdall blows the Gjallarhorn, the sound is heard in all the nine realms. This feature alone makes it seem likely to me that it was made by Dark Elves.
In both the Prose- and the Poetic Edda mentions, the Aesir god Heimdall owns the Gjallarhorn. Sadly, no mention anywhere explains how the Gjallarhorn came into Heimdalls’ possession. Like many things in Norse mythology, it seems it was Heimdalls’ fate to be the guardian of Asgard, and as such, the one in posession of the Gjallarhorn.
Where Does Heimdall Keep the Gjallarhorn
One interesting mystery surrounding the Gjallarhorn is where it is actually kept. There are two different alternatives, where one is more poetic, but makes little sense to me.
It is obvious that the horn is of great importance. Heimdall will blow in it to rally not only the gods, but any of their allies as well at Ragnarök. So, being so important, would he keep it close by at all times, or more symbolically, hide it somewhere until that fateful day comes?
The answer, or question arises from a single verse in the Poetic Edda poem Voluspá. According to many translations, verse 27 goes like this:
27. I know of the horn | of Heimdall, hidden
Under the high-reaching | holy tree;
On it there pours | from Valfather’s pledge
A mighty stream: | would you know yet more?
However, the word translated as horn here, is the Old Norse hljóð. This word can mean both sound, and hear(ing). Using sound, the meaning is horn, ie. the Gjallarhorn is hidden under Yggdrasil. If you instead were to translate it as hear(ing), it would be read as meaning Heimndall’s ear being hidden.
Have the Cake and Eat it Too?
Adding to the confusion, different later stories about Heimdall use this verse alternatingly to mean either ear or horn.
Heimdall is described by Snorri in Gylfaginning to have fantastical hearing. He is able to hear grass grow, as well as hearing wool grow on the backs of sheep. This is indirectly explained by him having sacrificed his one ear to Mimir, much like Odin sacrificed an eye, and hiding it under Yggdrasil’s roots. In Grimnismál Heimdall is described as drinking the good mead from a horn, lending credence to the idea that it is the Gjallarhorn itself.
However, reading the word as sound, and interpreting that as Heimdalls’ horn, it is proof he has hidden the Gjallarhorn under one of the roots of Yggdrasil. Seen as supporting this is the mention Mimir is using a horn when he drinks from the well every day.
Surely Heimndall didn’t both sacrifice one of his ears, and his horn, so only one could really be true. Which it is though might have been lost to us a long time ago. There is no definitive answer, but personally I tend to think he hid the Gjallarhorn. Having hidden it might as well mean having left it with Mimir for safe keeping, thus allowing for Mimir to drink from it.
Odin is known far and wide as only having one eye, and Hodr is known for being blind. No such mention is made regarding Heimdalls’ ears, making that theory less likely, at least to me.
Mentions in Ancient Texts
As I noted already, the Gjallarhorn isn’t mentioned that often in the Old Norse poems or texts. It is only mentioned directly in the poem Voluspá, and a couple of times in the Prose Edda’ Gylfaginning.
When looking at sources like this, it’s important to note that while the Poetic Edda poems, like Voluspá, are truly from the Viking Age, Snorri Sturluson wrote the Prose Edda in the 13th century. Obviously using many of the Poetic Edda poems as sources for his own stories. As such, whenever there are slight discrepancies, one should rely on the Poetic Edda when possible.
In the Voluspa, the Gjallarhorn is mentioned by name only once, in verse 46. As I showed above, it is possibly mentioned indirectly in verse 27 as well.
46. Fast move the sons | of Mim, and fate
Is heard in the note | of the Gjallarhorn;
Loud blows Heimdall, | the horn is aloft,
In fear quake all | who on Hel-roads are.
Mentioned in the Prose Edda
The first mention of Gjallarhorn by name in the Gylfaginning chapter seven, certainly supports the idea that Heimdall left it in Mimir’s safe keeping.
“But under the second root, which extends to the frost-giants, is the well of Mimer, wherein knowledge and wisdom are concealed. The owner of the well hight Mimer. He is full of wisdom, for he drinks from the well with the Gjallarhorn.”
Although this also supports my own understanding, we can’t just take this at face value. Snorri could have had several sources, verbal as well as written for his writing. However, he might have based this exclusively on that same verse from the Voluspá (which he also includes in his text).
Later in the Gylfaginning, the horn is mentioned again in a description of Heimdall.
“He hears the grass grow and the wool on the backs of the sheep, and of course all things that sound louder than these. He has a trumpet called the Gjallarhorn, and when he blows it it can be heard in all the worlds.”
Lastly, the horn is mentioned in connection with the onset of Ragnarök.
“While these things are happening, Heimdal stands up, blows with all his might in the Gjallarhorn and awakens all the gods, who thereupon hold counsel.”
Final thoughts on the Gjallarhorn
Sadly, we don’t have a great story of the creation of Gjallarhorn, or how it ended up in the possession of Heimdall. As is often the case with things in Norse mythology, there are several things we can’t say for certain.
One thing is for certain though. When that day comes, and Heimdall sounds the horn, I am running for the hills, you should too!
Featured image (c) Denmarks NatMus.
