The Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas on Vidar
Contents > Chapter Xv: Vidar
attestation: Vidar was the son of Odin and the giantess Grid; he was strong and silent, considered a personification of the primeval forest or the imperishable forces of Nature, and destined to survive Ragnarok and rule a regenerated earth.
"Odin once loved the beautiful giantess Grid, who dwelt in a cave in the desert, and that, wooing her, he prevailed upon her to become his wife. The offspring of this union between Odin (mind) and Grid (matter) was Vidar, a son as strong as he was taciturn, whom the ancients considered a personification of the primæval forest or of the imperishable forces of Nature."
attestation: Vidar's palace Landvidi was situated in the midst of an impenetrable primeval forest, decorated with green boughs and fresh flowers.
"This god had his habitation in Landvidi (the wide land), a palace decorated with green boughs and fresh flowers, situated in the midst of an impenetrable primæval forest where reigned the deep silence and solitude which he loved."
attestation: The Norns prophesied Vidar's destiny at the Urdar fountain, and their mother Wyrd added that he would live to rule a regenerated world after avenging his father's fall at Ragnarok.
"Questioned by Odin concerning his future and Vidar's destiny, the three sisters answered oracularly; each uttering a sentence: "Early begun." "Further spun." "One day done." To these their mother, Wyrd, the primitive goddess of fate, added: "With joy once more won.""
attestation: Vidar was destined to survive Ragnarok along with Vale, and would rule the regenerated earth after the fire of Surt was slaked.
""There dwell Vidar and Vale In the gods' holy seats, When the fire of Surt is slaked.""
attestation: Vidar's iron shoe would serve as defence against Fenris at Ragnarok; Vidar would brace the shod foot against the wolf's lower jaw, seize the upper, and rend him in two.
"The shoe he wore was to be his defence against the wolf Fenris, who, having destroyed Odin, would direct his wrath against him, and open wide his terrible jaws to devour him. But the old Northmen declared that Vidar would brace the foot thus protected against the monster's lower jaw, and, seizing the upper, would struggle with him until he had rent him in twain."