Sigyn

Sigyn is a goddess from Norse mythology, whose name derives from Old Norse sigr "victory" and vinr "friend", meaning "(woman) friend of victory." She is best known as the wife of the trickster god Loki.

Mythological Role

Sigyn is first attested in the Poetic Edda, compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources, and later in the Prose Edda written by Snorri Sturluson. Her primary role is that of a devoted wife who remains loyal to Loki after he is punished by the other gods for orchestrating the death of Balder. According to myth, Loki was bound to a rock with the entrails of his son, and a serpent was placed above him to drip venom on his face. Sigyn caught the venom in a bowl, but when she had to empty it, the drops that fell on Loki caused him to writhe, producing earthquakes (according to the Prose Edda).

Cultural References

Sigyn is mentioned in the poem Völuspá, where a völva (seeress) tells Odin that she sees Sigyn sitting unhappily beside her bound husband. She also appears in various kennings in Old Norse poetry. The Gosforth Cross, a 10th-century stone cross in Cumbria, England, has been interpreted by some scholars as depicting Sigyn standing with a bowl near a bound figure, though this remains speculative. In modern times, Sigyn has appeared in literature and popular culture, often symbolizing loyalty and endurance.

Notable Bearers

No notable historical bearers of the name Sigyn are recorded; its use is primarily in reference to the mythological figure. The name has occasionally been revived as a given name in Nordic countries, though it remains rare.

Related Names

Sigyn is linguistically related to other Old Norse names beginning with the element sig-, such as Sigrid ("victory, beautiful") and Sigurðr ("victory, guardian"). Her husband Loki is also the root of the name, though their etymologies are unrelated.

• Meaning: "(woman) friend of victory"
• Origin: Old Norse
• Type: Given name; mythology
• Similar Names: Sigrid, Sigbjørn, Signe