Aurvandils tá - Revision history

YoulaAzkarrula at 01:10, 24 May 2026

2026-05-24T01:10:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:10, 24 May 2026
Line 54:		Line 54:

	[[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:European]] [[Category:Norse]]		[[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:European]] [[Category:Norse]]
	[[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]]		[[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]] [[Category:CrB]]

YoulaAzkarrula at 07:29, 8 May 2026

2026-05-08T07:29:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:29, 8 May 2026
Line 2:		Line 2:
	Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}		Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
	----		----
			[[File:Aurvandils tá Stellarium-005.png\|thumb\|Aurvandils tá, painting by Jessica Gullberg for Stellarium.]]
	Aurvandils tá, Aurvandil's Toe, is a Norse constellation from Iceland, used in Scandinavia, Northern Europe, attested since the Middle Ages. It is prominantly mentioned together with Þjaza augu (Thiazi's Eyes) in Snorri's Edda.		Aurvandils tá, Aurvandil's Toe, is a Norse constellation from Iceland, used in Scandinavia, Northern Europe, attested since the Middle Ages. It is prominantly mentioned together with Þjaza augu (Thiazi's Eyes) in Snorri's Edda.

Line 43:		Line 44:

	* {{NAMESPACE}}		* {{NAMESPACE}}

			== All HIP Stars within this constellation ==
			[[File:CH Aurvandils tá Stellarium-004.png\|center\|thumb\|Convex Hull for the stars inside Aurvandils tá (CC BY Jakob Eyermann).]]

	== References ==		== References ==

YoulaAzkarrula at 05:08, 8 May 2026

2026-05-08T05:08:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:08, 8 May 2026
Line 49:		Line 49:


	[[Category:European]] [[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]]		[[Category:Eurasia]][[Category:European]] [[Category:Norse]]
			[[Category:Asterism]] [[Category:Constellation]]

Sushoff: /* Concordance, Etymology, History */

2026-04-18T18:23:25Z

Concordance, Etymology, History

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:23, 18 April 2026
Line 5:		Line 5:

	==Concordance, Etymology, History==		==Concordance, Etymology, History==
	The Old Norse name ''Aurvandill'' stems from a Proto-Germanic form reconstructed as ''Auza-wandilaz'', ''Auzi-wandalaz'', or ''*Auzo-wandiloz''.		The Old Norse name ''Aurvandill'' stems from a Proto-Germanic form reconstructed as ''Auza-wandilaz'' (de Vries 1962), ''Auzi-wandalaz'' (Hatto 1965), or ''*Auzo-wandiloz'' (Ström & Biezais 1975).

	'''Most likely meaning''': "ray of light" or "light beam".		'''Most likely meaning''': "ray of light" or "light beam".

Sushoff: /* Concordance, Etymology, History */

2026-04-18T18:21:13Z

Concordance, Etymology, History

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:21, 18 April 2026
Line 5:		Line 5:

	==Concordance, Etymology, History==		==Concordance, Etymology, History==
	The Old Norse name ''Aurvandill'' stems from a Proto-Germanic form reconstructed as ''Auza-wandilaz'', ''Auzi-wandalaz'', or ''*Auzo-wandiloz''. It is cognate with Old English ''Ēarendel'', Old High German ''Aurendil'' (≈ ''Orentil''), and Lombardic ''Auriwandalo''. The Gothic word ''auzandil'', which can be read in the ''Gothica Bononiensia'' according to the interpretation of several experts, is probably another cognate.		The Old Norse name ''Aurvandill'' stems from a Proto-Germanic form reconstructed as ''Auza-wandilaz'', ''Auzi-wandalaz'', or ''*Auzo-wandiloz''.

	'''Most likely meaning''': "ray of light" or "light beam".		'''Most likely meaning''': "ray of light" or "light beam".
Line 12:		Line 12:

	* ''Ēarendel'' in Old English,		* ''Ēarendel'' in Old English,
	* ''Aurendil'' in Old High German,		* ''Aurendil'' (≈ ''Orentil'') in Old High German,
	* ''Auriwandalo'' in Lombardic,		* ''Auriwandalo'' in Lombardic,
	* ''auzandil'' (𐌰𐌿𐌶𐌰𐌽𐌳𐌹𐌻) in Gothic,		* ''auzandil'' (𐌰𐌿𐌶𐌰𐌽𐌳𐌹𐌻) in Gothic,

Sushoff: /* Concordance, Etymology, History */

2026-04-18T18:19:53Z

Concordance, Etymology, History

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:19, 18 April 2026
Line 5:		Line 5:

	==Concordance, Etymology, History==		==Concordance, Etymology, History==
			The Old Norse name ''Aurvandill'' stems from a Proto-Germanic form reconstructed as ''Auza-wandilaz'', ''Auzi-wandalaz'', or ''*Auzo-wandiloz''. It is cognate with Old English ''Ēarendel'', Old High German ''Aurendil'' (≈ ''Orentil''), and Lombardic ''Auriwandalo''. The Gothic word ''auzandil'', which can be read in the ''Gothica Bononiensia'' according to the interpretation of several experts, is probably another cognate.

			'''Most likely meaning''': "ray of light" or "light beam".

	'''Variants of the hero's name:'''		'''Variants of the hero's name:'''

Sushoff at 18:17, 18 April 2026

2026-04-18T18:17:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:17, 18 April 2026
Line 5:		Line 5:

	==Concordance, Etymology, History==		==Concordance, Etymology, History==
			'''Variants of the hero's name:'''

			* ''Ēarendel'' in Old English,
			* ''Aurendil'' in Old High German,
			* ''Auriwandalo'' in Lombardic,
			* ''auzandil'' (𐌰𐌿𐌶𐌰𐌽𐌳𐌹𐌻) in Gothic,
			* ''Horwendillus'' (Ørvendil) in Old Danish latinized

	=== Origin of Constellation ===		=== Origin of Constellation ===
	Aurvandils tá (Aurwandill’s toe) is the toe of the hero Aurwandill, which froze when he was carried by Thor across the icy river Eliwagar. Thor broke off the toe, cast it into the sky, and thereby transformed it into an asterism.		Aurvandils tá (Aurwandill’s toe) is the toe of the hero Aurwandill, which froze when he was carried by Thor across the icy river Eliwagar. Thor broke off the toe, cast it into the sky, and thereby transformed it into an asterism.
Line 21:		Line 29:
	==== Identifications ====		==== Identifications ====
	(Sturluson 2017<ref name=":2" />, p. 111). Persson (2017)<ref name=":0">Persson, J.R. (2017) Norse Constellations. ResearchGate. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.15662.92483.</ref> suggests Corona Borealis as the corresponding constellation. On the one hand, its shape resembles that of a toe; on the other, as a spring constellation, it allows an interpretation of the toe as a symbol of the victory of spring over winter (Persson 2017<ref name=":0" />).		(Sturluson 2017<ref name=":2" />, p. 111). Persson (2017)<ref name=":0">Persson, J.R. (2017) Norse Constellations. ResearchGate. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.15662.92483.</ref> suggests Corona Borealis as the corresponding constellation. On the one hand, its shape resembles that of a toe; on the other, as a spring constellation, it allows an interpretation of the toe as a symbol of the victory of spring over winter (Persson 2017<ref name=":0" />).

			Comparative Germanic studies led to the reconstruction of a "common" mythic figure, ''*Auza-wandilaz'' ('light-beam' or 'ray of light'), associated with brightness and dawn-light imagery. On the basis of the Old English and Gothic evidence, and to a lesser degree the Old Norse text itself, this figure has been interpreted as relating to the rising light of the morning - which is of special importance after the long polar night (winter). The occasional identification with the Morning Star (Venus) is likely wrong.

	=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===		=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
	== Mythology ==		== Mythology ==
	~~mnemonic tales and cultural significance~~		In Norse mythology, Aurvandill’s toe froze as he carried him in a basket across the Élivágar rivers. After that, the god Thor throws Aurvandill’s frozen toe into the sky. There it becomes a constellation known as Aurvandils-tá (“Aurvandill’s toe”).

	== Weblinks ==		== Weblinks ==

Sushoff at 08:13, 17 April 2026

2026-04-17T08:13:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:13, 17 April 2026
Line 2:		Line 2:
	Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}		Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
	----		----
	Aurvandils tá, Aurvandil's Toe, is a Norse constellation from Iceland, used in Scandinavia, Northern Europe, attested since the Middle Ages. It is prominantly mentioned together with Þjaza augu (Thiazi's Eyes) in Snorri's Edda ..		Aurvandils tá, Aurvandil's Toe, is a Norse constellation from Iceland, used in Scandinavia, Northern Europe, attested since the Middle Ages. It is prominantly mentioned together with Þjaza augu (Thiazi's Eyes) in Snorri's Edda.

	==Concordance, Etymology, History==		==Concordance, Etymology, History==

Sushoff: /* Sources, Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation */

2026-04-17T08:13:09Z

Sources, Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 (Sturluson 2017<ref name=":2" />, p. 111). Persson (2017)<ref name=":0">Persson, J.R. (2017) Norse Constellations. ResearchGate. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.15662.92483.</ref> suggests Corona Borealis as the corresponding constellation. On the one hand, its shape resembles that of a toe; on the other, as a spring constellation, it allows an interpretation of the toe as a symbol of the victory of spring over winter (Persson 2017<ref name=":0" />).
-=== Sources, Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
+=== Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===
 == Mythology ==
 mnemonic tales and cultural significance

Sushoff: /* Sources, Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation */

2026-04-17T08:00:08Z

Sources, Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:00, 17 April 2026
Line 2:		Line 2:
	Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}		Authors: {{PAGEAUTHORS}}
	----		----
	Aurvandils tá, Aurvandil's Toe, is a Norse constellation from Iceland, used in Scandinavia, Northern Europe, attested since the Middle Ages.		Aurvandils tá, Aurvandil's Toe, is a Norse constellation from Iceland, used in Scandinavia, Northern Europe, attested since the Middle Ages. It is prominantly mentioned together with Þjaza augu (Thiazi's Eyes) in Snorri's Edda ..

	==Concordance, Etymology, History==		==Concordance, Etymology, History==
	=== Origin of Constellation ===		=== Origin of Constellation ===
	Aurvandils tá (Aurwandill’s toe) is the toe of the hero Aurwandill, which froze when he was carried by Thor across the icy river Eliwagar. Thor broke off the toe, cast it into the sky, and thereby transformed it into an asterism.		Aurvandils tá (Aurwandill’s toe) is the toe of the hero Aurwandill, which froze when he was carried by Thor across the icy river Eliwagar. Thor broke off the toe, cast it into the sky, and thereby transformed it into an asterism.

			==== The Source (Edda) ====
			In the 13th century, Snorri Sturluson provided the most comprehensive documentation of myths from Old Norse culture that we know of today in his Edda. In this sky culture, the Eddic myths are to be brought into the sky in the form of constellations. Since there are no records of constellations from this time and region, the reconstruction of these constellations is not always certain (in some cases even speculative). In our visualisations we follow various literary scholars who found parallels to Norse mythology in the Edda.

			The Eddic myths were widespread in the North Germanic cultural area, which encompasses present-day Scandinavia (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland). They were written down in the 13th century in Iceland, predominantly in two literary works, the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, this way representing the most important sources of our knowledge on Norse mythology. The culture referred to here therefore includes the North Germanic peoples from the 13th century and earlier. An important factor in observing the sky at this latitude is the brightness of the midnight sun in summer. During several weeks, the sky at Iceland's latitude does not get dark or only for a very short time, which severely limits the possibility of observing stars during this period. Given the fact that Snorri’s Edda was written in Iceland and under the assumption that some of the myths describe celestial phenomena, this plays an important role in the localization of assumed constellations: for instance, the modern constellation of Scorpius, the Scorpion, is hardly visible, so, it won't be identified with any Norse constellation.

			===== Sky =====
			The origin of the Eddic myths remains disputed (Jonsson 1994<ref>Jonsson, B. (1994) Star Myths of the Vikings: A New Concept of Norse Mythology. Swan River, Manitoba: The Author.</ref>, p. 41). In recent decades, some attempts have been made to map the sagas of the Edda onto constellations in the night sky. However, this fact does not negate Snorri's statement that the phenomena he describes are quite literally located in the sky (Sigurdson 2022<ref name=":1">Sigurðsson, G. (2022) ‘How Gylfi’s Illusion Breathes Life into the Sky’, Religionsvidenskabeligt Tidsskrift, 74, pp. 231–246. DOI: 10.7146/rt.v74i.132105.</ref>, p. 239). Snorri Sturluson provides a systematic, sequential description of mythological cosmogony in his Edda. Gangleri, the protagonist of Gylfaginning, is told that in the beginning lights were assigned a staðr (place) and a path in the sky. Their movements marked the passage of time. The Sun is given salir (halls) and the stars staðir (places) by the gods (Æsir). These are the key terms in Gylfaginning for celestial locations and phenomena (Sigurdson 2022<ref name=":1" />, p. 239). After that several places in the sky are described, some of which can be found here as constellations. The sky itself was created by the Æsir from the skull of the primeval giant Ymir, whom they had slain (Sturluson 2017<ref name=":2">Sturluson, S. (2017) The Edda of Snorri Sturluson. Translated by K. Simrock. Bibliographically updated edition. Stuttgart: Reclam.</ref>, p. 21). Subsequently, they took sparks that had flown from Muspelheim, the realm of fire, and set them in the sky as stars (Sturluson 2017<ref name=":2" />, p. 22).

			===== Constellations =====
			Although many Eddic constellations are based on on many assumptions and guesses, those that are also mentioned in the Rimtöl-gloss (Úlfs Keptr, Asar Bardagi, Fiskikarlar) are described with more certainty. The only constellations the Edda specifically describes as stars are Aurvandils tá and Þjaza augu.

	==== Identifications ====		==== Identifications ====
	(Sturluson 2017<ref~~>Sturluson, S. (2017) The Edda of Snorri Sturluson. Translated by K. Simrock. Bibliographically updated edition. Stuttgart~~: ~~Reclam.<~~/~~ref~~>, p. 111). Persson (2017)<ref name=":0">Persson, J.R. (2017) Norse Constellations. ResearchGate. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.15662.92483.</ref> suggests Corona Borealis as the corresponding constellation. On the one hand, its shape resembles that of a toe; on the other, as a spring constellation, it allows an interpretation of the toe as a symbol of the victory of spring over winter (Persson 2017<ref name=":0" />).		(Sturluson 2017<ref name=":2" />, p. 111). Persson (2017)<ref name=":0">Persson, J.R. (2017) Norse Constellations. ResearchGate. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.15662.92483.</ref> suggests Corona Borealis as the corresponding constellation. On the one hand, its shape resembles that of a toe; on the other, as a spring constellation, it allows an interpretation of the toe as a symbol of the victory of spring over winter (Persson 2017<ref name=":0" />).

	=== Sources, Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===		=== Sources, Transfer and Transformation of the Constellation ===