The Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas on Bragi

Contents > Chapter Vi: Bragi

• attestation: The Bragaful was a ritual toast drunk in cups shaped like a ship; the sacred sign of the hammer was made over it, and the new ruler would pledge a great deed of valour to be executed within the year.

  "when it was time to drink this toast, which was served in cups shaped like a ship, and was called the Bragaful, the sacred sign of the hammer was first made over it. Then the new ruler or head of the family solemnly pledged himself to some great deed of valour, which he was bound to execute within the year, unless he wished to be considered destitute of honour."

• attestation: In art, Bragi was represented as an elderly man with long white hair and beard, holding his golden harp.

  "In art, Bragi is generally represented as an elderly man, with long white hair and beard, and holding the golden harp from which his fingers could draw such magic strains."

Contents > Chapter Vii: Idun

• attestation: Bragi stayed beside Idun in Hel's realm, refusing to sing while she was in distress; he remained until she was ready to leave, his harp strings mute throughout.

  "Idun passively allowed the gods to wrap her in the warm wolfskin, but she persistently refused to speak or move, and from her strange manner her husband sadly suspected that she had had a vision of great ills. The tears ran continuously down her pallid cheeks, and Bragi, overcome by her unhappiness, at length bade the other gods return to Asgard without him, vowing that he would remain beside his wife until she was ready to leave Hel's dismal realm. The sight of her woe oppressed him so sorely that he had no heart for his usual merry songs, and the strings of his harp were mute while he remained in the underworld."