Spirits: The Dís and Fylgja in Norse Myth

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Most of our sources for Norse myth tell of gods and great heroes, but constant references in the sagas also reveal a belief in spirits called dís (plural dísir) and fylgja (plural fylgjur) that we only vaguely understand today. This is a timely topic for the fall, because the dísablót (sacrifice to the dísir) was apparently held in mid-October.
Dr. Jackson Crawford is Instructor of Nordic Studies and Nordic Program Coordinator at the University of Colorado Boulder (formerly UC Berkeley and UCLA). He is a historical linguist and an experienced teacher of Old Norse, Modern Icelandic, and Norwegian. FAQs: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tOgU4vgnmxE.html
Jackson Crawford’s translation of The Poetic Edda is available now: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1624663567 and his translation of The Saga of the Volsungs with The Saga of Ragnar Lothbrok is available as of September 2017: www.amazon.com/gp/product/1624666337
Jackson Crawford's Patreon page: www.patreon.com/norsebysw

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21 сен 2017

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Комментарии : 58

@kellybraille 7 лет назад

Dr. Crawford's consistent professionalism and straightforwardness adds such legitimacy to his description of his grandfather's fylgjur; one gets the impression that this is not a man that is prone to exaggeration or flights of fancy. Very, VERY cool story about the mountain lions - Thank you so much for sharing, Dr. Crawford!

@ThorirPP 7 лет назад

Fylgja is still used in modern Icelandic in certain sayings and phrases. The one I most encountered growing up being that when you thought you heard somebody but it turned out to be nothing, but then a bit later somebody actually comes, you say that their fylgja had come before them. Interesting stuff.

@WilhelmR19 7 лет назад

My grandfather was the same way with owls. The day he died one showed up and perched in a pine tree in front of his house and stayed there all day. I like that Dr. Crawford added that story to this video.

@kallebirgersson710 7 лет назад

Fylgja is a word that still exist in the icelandic language, and it means "follow". Your fylgja is your special follower.

@lajakl 7 лет назад

As a noun it more commonly means placenta. How it came to take on that meaning is beyond me.

@saatvikam 7 лет назад

Dr. Crawford described fylgja here as "the afterbirth of a person visualized as a spiritual guardian". (Afterbirth=placenta.)

@Noone-rc9wf 7 лет назад

Kalle Birgersson I wonder what's my fylgja?? Is it my cats?? Though I've been with them my whole life so I don't think that's them...

@TheZeptux 7 лет назад

Where i live in norway we have a very distinct dialect compared to other places in norway, fylgja is what we say aswell for "follow". Though, im pretty sure we spell it as "fyllja" rather than "fylgja"

@vikingtoaster2096 7 лет назад

Jackson Crawford, could you please consider doing a video about the importance of Viking jewelry and their designs and why they are designed as such? Stuff like arm rings, mjölnir, wolf's crosses, trolls crosses, beard rings, etc. I know that the old Norse loved their valuables, and I, as a descendant, am no exception of people who go awe at pretty jewelry, and I would like to know what you know and think of this topic.

@MrDoomperson 6 лет назад

No evidence for beard rings, wolf and troll crosses are inventions. The hammer is most often found in womens graves and the armrings functioned (possibly) as wealthindicators and hacksilver.

@sonolumine 7 лет назад

Great stuff, as always! Much appreciated;)

@jannemeijner 6 лет назад

Dr. Crawford! I simply love your videos, and I learn a lot from them, including this one. This being said, I'm pretty sure that the dísablót was held in February, or "Göje". At least, this seems to have been the case in Sweden, where the dís-thing still held in Uppsala, around the time of Candlemas (cf. celtic Imbolc or Brigid), is a very old custom, and one that is also related in the source material, I think. The blót held during the autumn would rather be the Álfablót. Anyway, this is how these celebrations are understood and practised within modern heathenry in Sweden today. Respectfully wishing you all the best!

@squirrel435 7 лет назад

Beautiful, thank you.

@Zakiriel 7 лет назад

Very interesting! Love the videos!

@glennswint341 7 лет назад

i was just thinking about fylgja the other day, and wondering if you were gonna do a video

@grayace4556 7 лет назад

The mountain lions might have been a spirit animal for him. They came to honor his spirit or guide his passing perhaps?

@slappy8941 7 лет назад

Selena Simonetti I was thinking the same thing. I'm sure when I die it'll probably rain fish or something equally absurd.

@mikepen0287 2 года назад

Nice didn't know you made a video about the fylga.

@Tony-nn2bg 7 лет назад

"Dis" is used in swedish for light fog that kind of dances around...

@BeaufordStenberg 6 лет назад

I sometimes render my Sanskrit name 'Nagahari' given to me by the Sufi as 'MountainLion'. They sang it in kirtan all different ways lengthening the vowels and shortening them which changes the meaning as you know. It can also mean 'Snake-horse' and many other things. They gave me a very curious spontaneous sound-bath Ergi naming as 'Fancyboy Nagahari'. Hari also denotes Yama/Ymir the blessed hermaphrodite TwoSpirit. Bless XI

@torbjornlekberg7756 7 лет назад

In modern swedish, 'dis' means mist. If this is related to do with the original meaning, I can not say. We know the dís recieved sacrefices, tho. Concerning the fyglja, I have studied this subject during my time at the university. It is, by academics such as Neil Price, counted as one of the five soul aspects an individual could have. The fylgja was a protective being with many similarities with the christian guardian angel. The belief in the fylgja lived on far into christian times, well into the 1800:s, altho with an alteration to the name. In Sweden it was to be called 'vård', a word wich today also means care, nursery and similar things, or 'vett', wich now means sense or sanity. Interestingly, nature spirits such as the skogsrå, skeppsrå and tomte were referd to as 'rådare' (care takers), wich could mean that their protection of somthing (a forest for the skogsrå, ship for the skeppsrå, farm for tomte) was similar to how a fylgja protected a person.

@TristanLaguz 5 лет назад

I find the soul and spirit very interesting and therefore also the spiritual concepts of different cultures. Could you say what the five aspects of the soul are and in which book(s) (e.g. by Neil Price) they are discussed?

@RustBot42 4 года назад

The old Norse 'dis' might also possibly have evolved into the modern Swedish word 'tös' ('girl'), since they both pertain to some form of woman figure. I also wonder if the English word 'ward' ('protection', 'vigil') might trace its history back to the same origin as 'vård', and the same with 'wits' ('wherewithal', 'cunning') and 'vett'. These are just my hypotheses though. What do you think?

@torbjornlekberg7756 4 года назад

@@RustBot42 I had no idea about the tös-connection. Quite interesting, I must say. It may well as you say, language takes quite funny turnes now and then. For example, the great mythical beast Kraken have in swedish turned into a loving word for something small and unfortunate. "Stackars lilla krake", meaning "Poor little krake". As for the connection between Vård and Ward, I find it more then likely that there is a connection. Good call. The similarities are striking, and the extensive cultural exchange during the right time a well established fact.

@garychynne1377 6 лет назад

quite ominus. the three escorts and grandpaw. thank yew dr crawford. all the best

@sunshinesilverarrow5292 6 лет назад

Very interesting and thank you for sharing such a personal story.. three is a powerful number.. so glad for him that his life long wish was granted in the end.. three times.. 💛🙏💛 Halaus ja auringonpaiste 🌞 N

@lizveta6643 6 лет назад

beautiful ideas and scenery

@tlotus3032 7 лет назад

Jackson Thanks for sharing that about your grandfather. I share his wish. I've had encounters with bears, moose, and other animals but never a cougar, even when my camp was surrounded by tracks. Then I fear if I do see one it will be too late. I know they have seen me. ;)

@SAMMIsLIFE 5 лет назад

Im wondering if the fylgjur is the same thing as a spirit animal or totem that Native Americans believe in. Its pretty interesting and makes me wonder what mine are! Ive always loved foxes and i also believe in witchcraft and consider myself to be a greenwitch,so its funny u mentioned those who are cunning and practice magic could have a fox as their fylgjur!

@Northern_Wolfie 3 года назад

Could be, as with most things Norse related we don’t really know a whole lot. All we know is that they were a supernatural being, typically in the form of an animal but sometimes a human or fae, that was tied to one’s fate. So interpret that as you will. It certainly seems like they were spirit animals/guides.

@w_ulf 7 лет назад

I've heard Heathen-Odinist-Asatruar describe the Dis as simply female ancestors, often holding certain roles. Kinda like the Catholic saints.

@hexproneplayspoorly1580 7 лет назад

I really want this channel to be a gradually emerging narrative like lonelygirl15 back in the day where what appears to be an academic vlog turns out to be just the framework for a supernatural family saga. Is the grandfather really dead ... completely? Why do Jackson's voice and mannerisms change subtly each time he puts on the cowboy hat? Is he a living man possessed by the spirit of an ancestor, or is he the tulpa created by that ancestor in his final hour as a way to cheat death?

@slappy8941 7 лет назад

Hexprone Plays Poorly We are all the creations of our ancestors.

@tracieh215 5 лет назад

I could put your videos on loop and listen to them all fracking day long while I crochet. Although I must admit that looking at you is as much a treat as hearing your voice. You are one handsome gent. :wink: No worries; I'm married, all is well. :)

@yewsmile9928 4 года назад

The last day of my daughters life out of the hospital window I saw a huge elephant made of trees. Would this be considered her fylgja?

@violet2023sovereignroyaldragon 4 месяца назад

I relate to this

@vikingtoaster2096 7 лет назад

Dear Mr. Jackson Crawford, as a Norse pagan, I want to teach Norse mythology. I practically tell the stories any chance I can, and I want to learn more. A long term goal I have is to teach Norse mythology and customs and culture. I'm 19, and I don't know where to start my journey. I would love to know what you think, if you'd be as kind as to share your thoughts, opinions, and possibly point me in a direction. I would be very grateful. Sincerely, Björn.

@slappy8941 7 лет назад

Where to start? Why, that's easy - you start from where you are! You ask for the road you're already on as if you were lost, but all you need is to keep putting one foot ahead of the other. And mind where you put your feet down, or you may find a false path or faithless foothold, and go tumbling ass over teakettle into an abyss full of thorns and monsters, (maybe even Christians, gods forbid!), and you'll be doomed to a dull eternity of bad music and pointless guilt.

@EudaemonicGirl 6 лет назад

You have two general paths to take: academia or not. Academia is the straightforward way of doing it, but perhaps not the easiest way. Other ideas could be to involve yourself in outreach through any religious organisations you are a part of or by tourism or entrepreneurship (quite common for Old Norse interested Swedes to be silversmiths, various artisans, actors, create their own Viking experiences that cater to parties, school children and corporate events).

@martinlindkvist3827 6 лет назад

When there is a bit of fog outside we call it 'disigt' .... we also have an old saying that when it is 'disigt' it is the elves/ferries dancing ... search on google and you can see on pictures what dis is .... we =swedish :)

@garychynne1377 7 лет назад

thank yew gare

@KungKras 7 лет назад

In swedish "dis" can mean the thin mist that appears in the morning.

@TheMightyMonarch1970 3 года назад

This guy is classically handsome, cmon we’re all thinking it

@shruggzdastr8-facedclown 6 лет назад

Could "dis" be thought of as collective soul -- what "soul" is to a given individual as theirs and theirs alone, "dis" might be to an extended family?

@elmotickleme3501 7 лет назад

what are the trees behind you? beautiful leaves!

@kallebirgersson710 7 лет назад

Should be aspen

@zoozooe 7 лет назад

Poplar maybe

@bluemermaid2190 7 лет назад

Colorado aspen. Looks like they are beginning to change colors. They will be bright orange and yellow soon!

@daithimcbuan5235 7 лет назад

I wonder if there's any cultural connection between the Disir of Norse myth and the Banshee of Irish myth.

@slappy8941 7 лет назад

Daithí McBuan I doubt if there were much connection, other than being feminine in nature. The Banshee were nothing but bad news, from my understanding.

@BenignImages 7 лет назад

Can the Norwegian term for mist have something to do with it as it often appears around autumn?

@forestgoddess1111 7 лет назад

Great video...no one ever understands my name :)

@phixter 6 лет назад

Dis vór vetr.

@Sqoou_Too 5 лет назад

Sounds like angel, guardian angel and angelic.

@howtogetawaywithtutorials3921 7 лет назад

Dís nutz! I just had to.

@tompatterson1548 2 года назад

Fylgja sound like the Dæmons from His Dark Materials.

@bluemermaid2190 7 лет назад

Beautiful story of grandpa and the mountain lions. Very magical and meaningful. As to the roots of the word Dis, could it come from the ancient Indian deva, as a deity, gleaming, shining as many Germanic words have indo-European roots?