Thor & Utgarda-Loki – A Norse Tale from the Edda
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Much of what we know about Norse mythology comes from the Icelandic poet and historian Snorri Sturluson, who preserved ancient stories in the Prose Edda during the 13th century.
These tales are not only myths about gods and giants, but also glimpses into how the Vikings viewed the world and their own lives. Briefly retold below is the Edda-story about when Thor and Loki’s traveled to the jötnar's (giants) realm Jotunheim, a journey full of trials and deceitful sorcery.
The Journey to Jotunheim
Their journey first went through the world of men where they ate and stayed overnight with a family on a farm. As a consequence of Thor tricking the farmer’s son Tjalfi into breaking one of his rules, Tjalfi was forced to pay for his offense by becoming Thor’s servant. His sister Röskva also joined.
Meeting the Jötunn Skrymir
On the way to Jotunheim they met the jötunn (giant) Skrymir, who offered to carry their provisions in his sack. After a long day’s walk, Skrymir quickly fell asleep without having untied the food sack he was carrying, which was impossible to open even for Thor. He became furious and during the night he struck Skrymir three times on the head with Mjölnir, but the giant only woke up to ask if a leaf or an acorn had fallen on him. The third time he thought that a bird had dropped dung on him, and then he continued his journey on his own.
The Challenges of Utgarda-Loki
At last the travelers reached the mighty fortress Utgard in Jotunheim. There sat the ruler Utgarda-Loki and he challenged his guests in various trials. Loki competed in an eating contest but lost to the giant Logi, who devoured both the food and half the trough. What Loki did not know was that Logi was fire itself. Tjalfi thought he was the fastest of all, but lost to Utgarda-Loki’s servant Huge who in reality was a thought.
the Midgard Serpent in Disguise
Thor himself was subjected to three humiliating trials. He drank from a horn without ever emptying it. It was in fact the sea he drank from and as a result the tide was created. He tried to lift a cat, but managed only one paw. The cat was actually the Midgard Serpent in disguise. Finally he wrestled an old woman and lost. The rason he couldn't win was that the woman was old age, which no one can defeat. Thor and his company were furious after being humiliated, and refused to join in the following festivities.
Utgard-Loki Reveals the Truth
The next morning Utgarda-Loki walked Thor and his companions out of the fortress. He revealed the truth—everything had been illusions, created to humiliate Thor and his companions. The deceit had begun on their path to Jotunheim, when Utgåda-Loki had pretended to be the giant Skrymer. Furious, Thor raised his hammer to strike Utgarda-Loki, but both the giant and the fortress disappeared without a trace. The company left the giants’ realm and returned to Asgard.
Is the Midgard Serpent living among us?
In the story there are many wise reflections and lessons to be learned, for example Thor’s inability to defeat the old woman. No matter how strong someone is, they cannot overcome old age. The cat turned out to be an illusion of the Midgard Serpent, but a cat being present in the saga confirms that cats were common animals during this age. And I wonder why the Midgard Serpent disguised themselves as a cat? After all, they also represent the chaos that threaten the order of the world (or of our houses?).😼
You can find interpretations of both the god of thunder and of Loke (unfortunately not in the Utgårda-Loki version) in our shop:
- Mjölnir? No, This is Meownir - Viking Cat T-shirt
- Paws of Thunder - Thor Viking Cat T-shirt
- Valhalla's Most Wanted - Cat Loki Mugshot T-Shirt
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Source (in Swevish):
For more about the tale of Thor and Utgarda-Loki, check out this Youtube clip:
Jackson Crawford: Loki and Thor Meet Utgard-Loki