Swan Maiden

According to the Younger Edda (Gylfaginning, 16) two swans were swimming in the Well of Urd at the base of the World Tree Yggdrasil and all white swans are said to have originated from them.

A short while ago I read in another book that the Norns, rulers of the fate of men and gods, turned themselves into these two swans to fly into the realms of gods, giants and men. But one always stayed behind to guard the Well of Urd and thus though there were three Norns, only two swans were needed for their shape shifting.

Swans also are linked to the Germanic goddess Freya in her role as leader of the Valkyries, fierce warrior half goddesses, who it is said could turn into swans and who´s right under the leadership of Freya it was to claim half the men slain on the battlefields while Odin took the other half.

Skuld, as one of the three norns is named, also is the name of a Valkyrie in the Prophecy of the Seeress (Voluspa, 24) in the Elder Edda.

Norns and Valkyries and Swans are thus all interwoven within Germanic mythologie and the circle of life and death, also symbolized by the thread of life the norns measured and cut for each being.

This is a beautiful bracelet! Where did you get that great swan? Who makes it? Is it Troll?

Thank you, Nancy The swans are Ohm. I saw them a few weeks ago on the FB page of RAD Seattle, an Ohm dealer, on pictures from 2014 (!) and sent a PM if they might still have one. They replied no, and I was o.k. with that because I was a „bit“ late But then they sent a second message that they found one and I ordered it and when it arrived it was on a rubber bracelet with a silver clasp and a second swan and a note saying that it was no mistake but that they wanted me to have two swans I am still smiling remembering, such a lovely gesture

What a nice story! I love it when people are thoughtful and kind for no reason. Enjoy your swans! I hope I find one someday because they are special!

How lovely of them! They look fantastic on your bracelet.

What a great story! They look beautiful on your bracelet!

Lovely story and great bracelet! I love the swan and am so happy to know who makes it! I bought one on FB last year and the girl I got it from couldn't remember who made it It is a great little swan!

A fascinating description/story and a beautiful bracelet.

Thank you, my dears, for your lovely comments

Yes, Kyhalfpt, it is a great little swan, glad that I could help identify its nesting point

What a great shop! I like the clean lines of the swan.

What an interesting story, I really must read up on Norse mythology

Lovely bracelet, and how sweet of the shop to send you two swans.

A random act of kindness like that really restores my faith in humanity! Beautiful!!

It's such a lovely bracelet and really lovely story x

Thank you, dears Yes, I am still very touched. I love these unexpected acts of kindness