BASIC INFORMATION ON SIF


Thorskegga Thorn, Thorshof

Lady Sif by Jim Kirkwood

DIVINE RACE:

- Aesir


MAIN INFLUENCES:

There is no evidence that Sif was worshipped in the Heathen period. The following are tentative suggestions:

Fate: In the prologue to Snorri's Edda, Thor's wife is called Sybil indicating a possible influence over fate.

Kinship and Peaceweaving: Sif's name means 'kin' 'relative' possibly implying a goddess of family virtues. She acts as a peace weaver in the tale of Loki's Flyting.

Harvest: We need to be careful here, almost every book on Northern Mythology states that Sif is a harvest goddess but this is a Victorian idea based on the tale of her golden hair, which is never mentioned in an agricultural context.


APPEARANCE:

Sif has long hair made of pure living gold.


HOLY DAY:

None.


IMMEDIATE FAMILY:

Husband: Thor

Children: Ull (by an unknown father), and presumably (?) Thor's children Modi and Thrud


THE NAMES OF SIF

Sif - means 'relative' and comes from the same root as the English 'sib' in 'sibling'.

Sybil - Thor's wife from the prologue of Snorri's Edda


TREASURES:

The Golden Hair

Sif's golden hair was made for her by the dark elves after Loki cut off all her natural locks for a joke.


SACRED BEASTS

None


STAR LORE

None


HOLY PLANTS

Rowan. The Lap goddess married to their Thundergod who is named after the Norse god Thor is called 'Rowan'.


HALLS

No hall is given to Sif so she must share Bilskirnir, the largest of the heavenly halls, with her husband.


SYMBOLS

No historical examples.

Modern suggestions: Weaving sword, rowan branch.


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