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Proto-Germanic folklore

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Proto-Germanic folklore is the folklore of the speakers of Proto-Germanic and includes topics such as the mythology, legendry, folk tales, and folk beliefs of early Germanic culture. By way of the comparative method, Germanic philologists, a variety of historical linguist, have proposed reconstructions of entities, locations, and concepts with various levels of security in early Germanic folklore (reconstructions are indicated by the presence of an asterisk). The present article includes both reconstructed forms and proposed motifs from the early Germanic period.

Deities

Proto-Germanic reconstruction Romano-Germanic West Germanic North Germanic East Germanic Etymology Notes
*Austrōn matronae Austriahenae OE Ēostre, OHG *Ôstara, OS *Āsteron
–
–
 From the PIE root *h2(e)wes- ('to shine, glow red'). Cognate with the Lithuanian deity Aušrinė, and further related to the PIE dawn-goddess *h₂éwsōs. A West Germanic goddess associated with a festival held in her name during the 'Easter-month', *Austro-mēnōþ, equivalent to modern 'April' (cf. OE Eosturmonath, ODu. Ōstermānōth, OHG Ōstarmānōd). The origin of the modern English holiday name Easter. See Ēostre for further discussion.
*Auza-wanđilaz
–
 OE Ēarendel, OHG Aurendil, Lomb. Auriwandalo ON Aurvandil Goth. auzandil Probably a compound of PGmc *auzom ('shiny, shiny liquid') and a derivate of *wanđuz ('rod, cane'). The PGmc form would therefore perhaps mean 'Light-Beam' Generally seen as a personification of the 'rising light' of the morning, possibly embodying the Morning Star (Venus). See Aurvandill for further discussion.
*Balđraz
–
 OE Bældæg, OHG Balder ON Baldr
–
 From PGmc *balþaz ('brave'), which is identical to Lith. báltas ('white', also the name of a light-god), based on the semantic development from 'white' to 'shining' or 'strong' (man) > 'hero, lord, prince'. ON Baldr ('brave, defiant; lord, prince') and OHG Balder are close to OE bealdor ('prince, hero'). The OE theonym Bældæg likely means 'Shining Day', as suggested by his association with 'day' and by the name of the Lith. light-god Báltas. See Baldr for further discussion.
Divine horse twins or dioscuri (motif) Alcis OE Hengist and Horsa, Low German Hengist and Hors (Holstein, 1875)
–
–
–
 Scholars have proposed a variety of figures in the ancient Germanic record as extensions of this motif. Tacitus (Germania), mentions twin deities, the Alcis (PGmc *alhiz ~ *algiz), who he compares to the Greek Dioscuri. The deities are generally seen as a reflex of the Proto-Indo-European Divine twins. Their name either means 'elk' or 'protector'. Some scholars have speculated that it may be related to the z-rune ᛉ (algiz), although evidence is lacking.
*Frawja- ~ *Fraw(j)ōn
–
 OE frēa; OFris. frā; OS frōho, frāho; MDu. vroon; OHG frō ON Freyr (theonym) Goth. frauja Unclear etymology. An epithet meaning 'Lord' Occurs as a theonym in Old Norse and, in a Christian context, in Old English. According to Kroonen, "both in form and meaning, fraiwa- ('seed') is reminiscent of Freyr 'fertility deity' < *frauja-. We may therefore consider the possibility that *fraiwa- was metathesized from *frawja-, a collective of some kind." See *Fraujaz for further discussion.
*Frawjōn
–
 OS frūa, OHG frouwa ON Freyja (theonym) An epithet meaning 'Lady'
*Frijjō
–
 OE Frīg, OFris Frīa, OS Frī, OHG Frīja ON Frigg
–
 From PGmc *frijaz ('free'), itself from PIE *priH-o- ('one's own, beloved'). In a clan-based societal system, the meaning 'free' arose from the meaning 'related' (cf. PGmc *frijōnan 'to love', *friþuz 'friendship, peace'). Goddess, in most sources partner of *Wōđanaz. Cf. Late PGmc *Frijjadag ('Frijjō-day; Friday'), a calque of Lat. dies Veneris. See Frigg for further discussion.
*Gautaz
-
 OE Gēat ON Gautr, Gauti Goth. Gaut (Gapt), Lang.

Gausus

Derived from PGmc *geutanan ('to pour'), or an ablaut variant of *gutaz ~ *gutōn ('Goth, Gut') A name for Odin. The early Germanic form may mean 'pourer (of semen)', i.e. 'man'. Rudolf Simek writes that as a mythical ancestor of the Goths (Gapt) and considered an ancestor in so many places he may have been the same as Odin in the Germanic tribes' common homeland in Scandinavia. Also the name of the Geats. See Gaut for further discussion.
*Fullōn
–
 OHG Volla ON Fulla
–
 From PGmc *fullaz ('full'), meaning 'fullness, plentitude' A goddess associated with *Frijjō. See Fulla for further discussion.
*Hludanaz Hludana
–
 ON Hlóðyn
–
 Uncertain etymology. According to De Vries, probably a chthonic deity. The ON Hlóðyn was possibly borrowed from the West Germanic theonym Hludana around the 8th c. AD. See Hludana for further discussion.
? *Huldō
–
 Ger. Holda ON Huld, Hulder
–
 Meaning 'the Hidden One'. Although the relationship between the names is uncertain, all forms point to a common meaning of 'the hidden one'.
*Ingwaz
–
 OE Ing, OS Ing ON Yngvi Goth. Ing, enguz Uncertain etymology A mythical ancestor, progenitor of the Ingvaeōnes. See also the Latinized Proto-Germanic personal name Inguiomērus. Name of the ŋ-rune ᛝ. See Yngvi for further discussion.
? *Ingwina-frawjaz
–
 OE frēa Ingwina ON lngunarfreyr
–
 Possibly a compound of PGmc *Ingwina- (Ing-friends') and *frawja- ('Lord'). *Ingwina- is derived from the name Ing- (see *Ingwaz) attached to PGmc *winiz ('friend'). Together, these forms mean 'Lord of the Ing-friends'. (See Ingaevones) See also ON Ygvifreyr (< *Ingwia-frawjaz).
*Mannaz ~ *Manwaz Mannus OE mann, OFris mann, OS mann, OHG man(n) ON maðr, mannr Goth. manna Meaning 'Man'. Cognate with Sanskrit Mánu and Avestan *Manuš. Cosmogonical figure; son of *Twistō, divine ancestor of the West Germanic peoples (Tacitus). Name of the m-rune ᛗ (cf. man(n), maðr). See Mannus and Indo-European cosmogony for further discussion.
*Mēnōn
–
 OE móna, OFris mōna, OS māno, ODu. māne, OHG māno ON máni Goth. mēna, Crim. Goth. mine Meaning 'Moon'.. From PIE *meh₁n-ōs ('moon; month'). The Germanic n-stem arose secondarily from the nom. *mēnō, which may regularly continue *meh₁n-ōt (cf. PGmc *mēnōþ-z 'month'). Cf. Late PGmc *Mēnandag ('Moon-day; Monday'), a calque of Lat. dies Lunae. Personfied as a deity, Máni ('Moon'), in Old Norse.
*Nerþuz Nerthus
–
 ON Njǫrðr
–
 The original meaning of the theonym is contested. It may be related to the Irish word nert, meaning 'force' and 'power'. The name Njǫrðr may be related to Njǫrun, an Old Norse goddess name. See Nerthus, Njörðr, and Sister-wife of Njörðr for further discussion.
*Sowelō ~ *Sōel
–
 OHG Sunne (theonym), OE sigel ON Sól (theonym) Goth. sugil PGmc *Sowel- > *Sōel- (gen. *Sunnōn) derives from the PIE word for 'sun', *séh₂uel, whose genitive form is *sh₂éns, sh₂unós. *Sugelan is a variant of Sowelō that can be morphologically compared to PGmc *sweglaz ('sunlight'). Meaning 'Sun'. A goddess and personification of the Sun. The variant *Sugelan may have been the original name of the s-rune ᛊ (cf. sigel, sugil), via taboo avoidance. The genitive form *Sunnōn is at the origin of OHG Sunne and Late PGmc *Sunnandag ('Sun-day'), a calque of Lat. dies Solis; it is also the predecessor to modern English Sun. See Sól for further discussion.
*Tīwaz
–
 OE Tīw, OHG *Ziu ON Týr Goth. *Teiws From PIE *deywós ('celestial', hence a 'deity'), itself from *dyēus ('daylight sky god'). A general epithet meaning 'god, deity' that eventually replaced the name of a specific deity whose original name is now lost. *Tīwaz was associated with the thing and equated with the Roman god of war Mars through interpretatio germanica. Name of the t-rune (ᛏ). Cf. Late PGmc *Tīwasdag ('Tīwaz-day; Tuesday'), a calque of Lat. dies Martis. See Týr for further discussion
*Twistō Tuisto
–
–
–
 Etymologically 'Twofold' (i.e. 'Twin', 'Bisexual', or 'Hermaphrodite'). Related to PGmc *twistaz, which is structurally close to Sanskrit dviṣṭa- ('staying in two places, ambiguous'). Legendary divine ancestor of the West Germanic peoples according to Tacitus. See Tuisto and Indo-European cosmogony for further discussion.
*Þingsaz Thingsus MDu. Dings*, MLG Dinges*, OHG Dinges*
–
–
 From PGmc *þingaz ('thing, assembly'). An epithet meaning 'of the thing' Attached to Mars (*Tīwaz) in early West Germanic cultures (see interpretatio germanica and interpretatio romana); perhaps originally a god associated with law. Attested in Latin as Thingsus, and probably included in the name for 'Tuesday' in some Germanic languages.
*Þunraz
–
 OE Þunor, OS Thunar, OFris Thuner, OHG Donar ON Þórr
–
 From the PIE root *(s)tenh₂- ('thunder'). Cognate with the Celt. thunder-god Taranis (< *Tonaros), and further related to the Latin epithet Tonans. Meaning 'Thunder' According to Peter Jackson, the Celtic–Germanic theonym *Þun(a)raz ~ *Tonaros may have emerged as the result of the fossilization of an original epithet or epiclesis of the PIE thunder-god *Perkunos. Cf. also Late PGmc *Þonaresdag ('Þunraz-day; Thursday'), a calque of Lat. dies Iovis. See also below *melđunjaz, the name of *Þunraz's weapon. See Thor for further discussion.
*Yum(i)yaz
–
–
 ON Ymir
–
 Meaning 'Twin'. Cognate with Skt Yama, Av. Yima, and probably with Lat. Remus (< *Yemos). Cosmogonical figure, mythical primeval ancestor. See Ymir and Indo-European cosmogony for further discussion.
*Wōđanaz
–
 OE Wōden, OS Woden, OD Wuodan, OHG Wuotan, Lomb. Godan ON Óðinn
–
 Meaning 'Lord of Frenzy',. From PGmc *wōđaz ('delirious, raging') attached to the suffix -naz ('master of'). The former is identical to PCelt. *wātis ('seer, south-sayer') and Lat. vātēs ('prophet, seer'). Evidence points to a god of ecstatic divination and wisdom. See ON Óðr 'wit, sense, song, poetry’ and OE wōð ‘sound, voice, song’. Cf. also Late PGmc *Wōdanesdag ('Wōdanaz-day; Wednesday'), a calque of Lat. dies Mercurii. See Óðinn for further discussion.
*Wulþuz (o)wlþu-
–
 ON Ullr
–
 From PIE *ul-tu- < *uel- ('to see'). Identical to Lat. vultus ('facial expression, appearance'). Meaning 'Glory'. Attested as owlþuþewaz ('servant of owlþuz') on the Thorsberg chape (3rd c. AD). Cf. also Goth. wulþus ('glory'). OE wuldor ('glory') stems from PGmc *wuldraz. See Ullr for further discussion.
*Wurđiz
–
 OE wyrd, OS wurd, OHG wurt ON Urðr
–
 Meaning 'Fate'. From PGmc *werþanan ('to come about, happen, become'). A concept comparable to fate personified as a female entity in Old Norse (a norn, a goddess-like being) and in Old English. See Urðr for further discussion.
Note: OE = Old English; OFris = Old Frisian; OFrank. = Old Frankish; OS = Old Saxon; MLG = Middle Low German; OD = Old Dutch; MDu. = Middle Dutch; OHG = Old High German; ON = Old Norse; Goth. = Gothic; Lomb. = Lombardic; Burg. = Burgundian; PGmc = Proto-Germanic; PIE = Proto-Indo-European; – = Unattested

Entities

Proto-Germanic reconstruction Translation West Germanic North Germanic East Germanic Etymology Notes
*alƀaz OE ælf, MLG alf, OHG alb ON álfr Burg. *alfs From the PIE root for '(matt) white', *h₂elbʰ-. Structurally close to Lat. albus ('(matt) white') and Grk alphoús ('white'). See elf for further discussion.
*al(j)a-wihtiz OE æl-wiht ON al-vitr
–
 Compound of *aljaz ('other') and *wihtiz ('thing, creature'). See *wehtiz ~ *wihtiz below.
*ansuz ~ *ansiz OE ōs, OS ās, OHG ansi- ON áss Goth. anses Meaning '(a) deity'. From PIE *h₂ems-u- < *h₂ems- ('to give birth'). Identical to Hitt. ḫassu- ('king'), Skt. ásu- ('life, vital strenght'), Av. ahu- ('lord'), or Venet. ahsu- ('cult image'). Further related to Skt ásura- and Av. ahura- ('god, lord'). Potentially connected to PGmc *ansaz 'beam' (see also Anthropomorphic wooden cult figurines of Central and Northern Europe). Name of the a-rune ᚨ. See Æsir for further discussion.
*đīsō OE ides, OS idis, OHG itis ON dís
–
 Uncertain etymology. The West Germanic forms present some difficulty to resolve but the North Germanic and West Germanic forms are used explicitly as cognates (e.g. OE ides Scildinga and ON dís Skjǫldunga). A variety of goddess-like supernatural female entity. Variously rendered by translators into modern English as terms like 'goddess', '(noble, divine) lady', or 'fairy'. See dís and Idis (Germanic) and compare *wala-kuzjōn below. The PGmc form may occur in the place name Idistaviso (perhaps Gmc *Idisiaviso 'plain of the Idisi') and may be further reflected in ON Iðavöllr if the location name is amended to *Iðavöllr.
*đwergaz OE dweorg, OFris. dwirg, OS *dwerg, MDu. dwerch, OHG twerg ON dvergr
–
 Unclear etymology. Perhaps from a PGmc verb *dwerganan ('to squeeze, press') possibly attested in MHG zwergen. For further discussion, see Dwarf.
*etunaz OE eōten ON jǫtunn
–
 According to Orel, from PGmc *etanan ('to eat'). One of the Proto-Germanic terms for 'giant'. See jötunn for further discussion.
*gaistaz OE gǽst, OFris gāst, OS gēst, Du. geest, OHG geist
–
–
 Meaning 'ghost, spirit, wrath'. From Pre-Ger.*ghoisdoz ('fury, anger'), which is comparable to Sanskrit héḍas ('anger') and Avestan zōižda- ('terrible, ugly'). Although the word is only attested in the West Germanic languages, it appears to be of pre-Germanic formation. See ghost for further discussion.
*guđ(a)z OE god, OFris. god, ODu. god, OS god, OHG got ON guð Goth. guþ Meaning '(a) deity' and predecessor to modern English god. Unclear etymology. Traditionally derived from *ǵʰu-t(ó)- ('libated one') < *ǵʰeu- ('to pour'), although alternative connections with PIE *ǵʰeuH- ('to invoke'), with OCS gověti ('to revere'), or with Greek χυτὴ γαῖα ('burial mound') have also been proposed. The source of PGmc *guđ(a)-fuhtaz ('god-fearing'), *guđ(a)-lausaz ('god-less'), aƀa-guđaz ('godless, lit. off-god'), *guđ(a)-waƀjaz ('precious fabric, silk'), or *guđ(a)-hūsan (temple; if not a calque of Lat. domus Dei).
*lenþa-wurmaz MLG linde-worm, OHG lind-wurm ON linn-ormr
–
 Compound of *lenþaz ('snake') and *wurmaz ('worm'). A dragon or serpent-like entity. See lindworm for further discussion.
*marōn OE mære, MD māre, OS māra, OHG mara ON mara
–
 From PIE *mor-eh₂, of unclear origin. Cognate with Slav. *morà ('nightly spirit, bad dream') and OIr. mor-rígain ('queen of bad dreams'; a goddess of the battlefield and female demon). See also the Russian kiki-mora, a female house-spirit that spins at night. An entity associated with bad dreams (as in the second element of modern English night-mare). The image of a female ghost or demon who tortures people with nightmares is apparently common to Slavic, Germanic and, possibly, Celtic. Borrowed from Middle Dutch into Old Picard as mare > cauque-mare (attached to cauquier 'to press'; mod. Fr. cauchemar), which designated a 'witch' haunting bad dreams. See Mare (folklore) for further discussion.
*nikwiz ~ *nikwuz ~ *nikwaza- OE nicor, MDu. nicker, MLG necker, OHG nichus, nihhus ON nykr
–
 From PIE *nígʷ-ōs < *neigʷ- ('to wash'). An entity associated with water, which probably also existed under the feminine form *nikwazjōn (cf. OHG nickessa). See Nixie (folklore) for further discussion.
*skrattōn ~ *skradan- OE scrætte, OHG scratto ON skratti
–
 An n-stem originally inflected as *skradō, gen. *skrattaz < *skrodʰōn, *skrodʰnós. A sort of demon, pixie or goblin.
*þurisaz OE ðyrs, OHG duris ON þurs
–
 No clear etymology. Perhaps related to ON þyrja ('to rush'), ON þora ('to dare'), or Icel. þursi ('quarrel, anger, rage'). One of the Proto-Germanic terms for 'giant'. Borrowed into early Finnish as Turisas, a god of war and a sea monster. See jötunn for further discussion.
*wrisjōn OS wrisi-, OHG riso ON risi
–
 Probably related to Greek ῥίον ('peak, headland'). One of the Proto-Germanic terms semantically related to jötunn. Occurs also in OS wrisi-līk ('enormous, wrisi-like'). For further discussion, see jötunn.
*wala-kuzjōn OE wælcyrge ON valkyrja
–
 Meaning 'chooser of the slain'. Compound of *walaz ('the slain') and *kuzjōn ('chooser' < PGmc *keusanan 'to trial, select'). See also OE wæl-cēasega, a name for 'raven' that literally means 'chooser of the slain'. A variety of goddess-like female entity. Compare *đīsō above. See valkyrie for further discussion.
*wira-wulfaz OE were-wulf, OFrank. *wer-wolf, MDu. weer-wolf, MLG wer-wulf, WFris. waer-ûl(e), MHG wer-wolf ON varg-úlfr
—
 Meaning 'man-wolf' and predecessor to modern English werewolf. Probably a compound of *wiraz ('man') and *wulfaz ('wolf'). Alternately derived from *wazi-wulfaz ('wolf-clothed'), bringing the compound semantically in line with the Slavic name for 'werewolf', *vьlko-dlakь, literally 'wolf-haired'. The Norse branch underwent taboo modifications, with ON vargúlfr replacing *wiraz ('man') with vargr ('outlaw; wolf'), probably under the influence of Old French leu waroul, which literally means 'wolf-werewolf'. Old Frankish *werwolf is inferred from OFr. waroul ~ garoul ~ ONorm. garuf. The modern Norse forms varulv (Danish, Norwegian) and varulf (Swedish) were probably borrowed from MLG werwulf, or else be derived from an unattested ON *varulfr, posited as the regular descendant form of PGmc *wira-wulfaz. See werewolf for further discussion.
*wehtiz ~ *wihtiz OE wiht, OS wiht, Du. wicht, OHG wiht ON vættr Goth. waihts A 'creature'. Related to Slav. *vektь ('thing'). Possibly from PIE *weḱti- ~ *weǵʰ-ti-, or a Germanic–Slavic isogloss. Cf. also Far. -vætti ('miserable creature') < *wehtja-.
Note: OE = Old English; OFris = Old Frisian; OFrank. = Old Frankish; OS = Old Saxon; MLG = Middle Low German; OD = Old Dutch; MDu. = Middle Dutch; OHG = Old High German; ON = Old Norse; Goth. = Gothic; Lomb. = Lombardic; Burg. = Burgundian; PGmc = Proto-Germanic; PIE = Proto-Indo-European; – = Unattested

Locations

Proto-Germanic reconstruction Translation West Germanic North Germanic East Germanic Etymology Notes
*Ferg(w)unjan ~ *Ferg(w)unjō 'mountain' OHG Firgunnea ON Fjǫrgyn
–
 Probably from PIE *per-kun-ih₂ ('wooden mountains', i.e. the realm of *Perkwunos). Cognate with PCelt. *ferkunyo > (H)ercynia. Cognate with or borrowed into Slav. as *per(g)ynja ('wooded hills'). Cf. also Goth. fairguni and OE firgen ('mountain'). See Perkwunos for further discussion.
*Haljō 'the concealed' OE hell, OFris helle, ODu. helle, OS hellia, OHG hella ON hel Goth. halja From PGmc *helanan ('to conceal, hide'). Precursor to modern English Hell, attested as an afterlife location throughout Germanic languages and personified as a female entity in Old Norse and Old English. See Hel (being) and Hel (location).
*Halja-wītjan 'hell-knowledge' OE helle-wīte, OS helli-wīti, MHG helle-wītze ON hel-víti
–
 Compound of PGmc *Haljō ('Hell') and *wītjan ('knowledge, reason'). A poetic name for an underworld location. See *Haljō above.
*hemenaz ~ *heminaz 'heaven' OE heofon, OFris. himel, OS heƀan, ODu. himil, MLG hēven, OHG himil ON himinn Goth. himins From PIE *h₂eḱmon ('heavenly vault of stone'). Possibly cognate with PGmc *hamaraz ('hammer'). See Perkwunos#Stony_skies for further discussion.
*(hemena-)wangaz '(heaven-)meadow' OS heƀan-wang, OE (neorxna-)wang ON himin-vangr, (Fólk)vangr Gothic waggs Compound of PGmc *hemenaz ('heaven') and *wangaz ('meadow'). The noun *wangaz stems from the PIE root *uongʰ-, denoting a 'field'. A term denoting an afterlife heavenly meadow. PGmc *wangaz occurs as a gloss for 'paradise' in Old Norse, Old English, and Gothic, implying an early Germanic concept of an afterlife field in the heaven. Fólkvangr is an afterlife location associated with the goddess Freyja in Old Norse texts. See Fólkvangr and Neorxnawang.
*Meðjana-garðaz 'middle-enclosure' OE middan-geard, OS middil-gard, OHG mitti-gart ON mið-garðr Goth. midjun-gards Compound of PGmc *meðjanaz ('middle') and *garðaz ('enclosure, courtyard'). See Midgard for further discussion.
*wira-alđiz 'man-age' OE weorold, OFris. wrald, OS werold, MDu. werelt, OHG weralt ON verǫld
–
 Compound of PGmc *wiraz ('man') and *alđiz ('age'). The inhabited world, the realm of humankind. Source of modern english world.
Note: OE = Old English; OFris = Old Frisian; OFrank. = Old Frankish; OS = Old Saxon; MLG = Middle Low German; OD = Old Dutch; MDu. = Middle Dutch; OHG = Old High German; ON = Old Norse; Goth. = Gothic; Lomb. = Lombardic; Burg. = Burgundian; PGmc = Proto-Germanic; PIE = Proto-Indo-European; – = Unattested

Other

Proto-Germanic reconstruction Translation West Germanic North Germanic East Germanic Etymology Notes
*alh(a)z 'temple' OE ealh, OS alah ON -áll Goth. alhs Identical to Lith. alkas ('holy grove').
–
*ƀlōtanan 'to sacrifice' OE blōtan, OHG bluozan ON blóta Goth. blotan Traditionally compared to Lat. flāmen ('sacrificial priest'), possibly from an earlier *flādsmen < *bʰleh₂dmen-. Source of PGmc *ƀlostran ('sacrifice') and *ƀlotan ('sacrifice, worship').
*ƀlōta-hūsan 'house of worship, house of sacrifice' OHG bluoz-hūz ON blót-hús
–
 Compound of PGmc *ƀlotan ('sacrifice, worship') and *hūsan ('house'). Place of worship, temple.
*galđran 'magic song, spell, charm' OE gealdor, OHG galtar ON galdr
–
 From PGmc *galanan ('to shout, sing, chant'). See galdr for further discussion.
*guđ(j)ōn 'priest'
–
 ON goði, gyðja Goth. gudja From PGmc *guđaz ('god').
–
*hailaga-mēnōþ 'holy-month' OE hāliġ-mōnaþ, ODu. heil-mānōth, OHG heilag-mānōth
–
–
 A compound of WGmc *hailaga ('holy') and mēnōþ ('month'). A West Germanic name for the 'holy month', equivalent to modern 'September' or 'December'. See Hāliġmōnaþ for further discussion.
*harƀistu-mēnōþz 'autumn-month, harvest-month' OE hærfest-mōnaþ, ODu. hervist-mānōth, OHG herbist-mānōth ON haust-mánuðr
–
 A compound of PGmc *harƀistaz ('autumn, harvest') and mēnōþz ('month'). Early Germanic name of the 'month of harvest'; roughly equivalent to modern 'August–November'. Cf. also ODu. Aranmānōth ~ OHG Aranmānōd ('harvest month, August'), from another root *azani- ('harvest').
*har(u)gaz 'holy stone', perhaps 'sacrificial mound' OE hearg, OHG harug ON hǫrgr
–
 Probably borrowed from the same non-Indo-European source as PCelt. *karrikā ('stone').
–
*halja-rūnō(n) 'witch, sorceress' OE helle-rūne, OHG helli-rūna
–
 Lat.-Goth. pl. (Jordanes) haliurunae Compound of *haljō ('Hel') and *rūnō ('secret, mystery, rune').
–
*hunslan 'sacrifice' OE hūsel ON húsl Goth. hunsl A sla-suffix added to the PIE root *ḱuent- ('holy, sacred').
–
*hugi-rūnō 'secret of the mind, magical rune' OE hyge-rūn ON hug-rúnar
–
 Compound of *hugiz ('understanding, mind') and *rūnō ('secret, mystery, rune').
–
*Jehwlan 'Yule' OE geō(hho)l ON jól Goth. *jaihl No credible etymology. Name of a Germanic festival organized at the end of each year. Cf. also *Jehwla-đagaz ('Yule-day'). See Yule for further discussion.
*Jehwla-mēnōþz ~ *Jehwlaz 'Yule-month' OE gēol-mōnaþ, gīuli ON jól-mánuðr, ýlir Goth. jiuleis
*jēra-mēnōþz 'year-month' OHG jār-mānōd ON ár-mánaðr
–
 A compound of PGmc *jēran ('year') and mēnōþz ('month'). Early Germanic name of the 'year-month'; equivalent to modern 'January'.
*kunja- 'omen'
–
 ON kyn
–
 Closely related to Lith. žinià ('knowledge, magic').
–
*lubjan '(magical) herb, potion' OE lybb, OS lubbi, MDu. lubbe, OHG lubbi ON lyf Goth. lubja- Related to PGmc *lauban ('foliage'). Medicinal herb associated with magic (cf. Goth. lubja-leisei 'witchcraft, alchemist', OHG lubbari 'magician').
*melđunjaz 'lightning', 'hammer'
–
 ON Mjǫllnir
–
 From a PIE root meld-n-, which may have originally designated Perkwunos' weapon. Cognate with Latv. milna (Pērkōns' hammer), OPrus. mealde ('lightning'), OCS mъldni ('lightning'), Welsh mellten ('bolt of lightning'). Thor's hammer. See Mjǫllnir for further discussion.
*rūnō 'secret, mystery; secret counsel; rune' OE rūn, OS rūna, MDu. rūne, OHG rūna ON rún Goth. runa Borrowed from or cognate with PCelt. *rūna ('secret, magic'). Source of PGmc *runōn ('counsellor'), *rūnjan ('mystery'), *raunō ('trial, inquiry, experiment'). See runes for further discussion.
*rūna-stabaz 'runic letter' OE rūn-stæf, OHG rūn-stab ON rúna-stafr
–
 A compound of PGmc *rūnō ('secret, mystery, counsel') and *stabaz ('staff; letter').
–
*saidaz ~ *saiþaz 'spell, charm, magic'
–
 ON seiðr
–
 From a PGmc verb *sīdanan ~ *sīþanan ('to work charms'; cf. ON síða); see also OE -siden 'magic' (<*sidnō-). Identical to Lith. saitas ('magic, talisman').
–
*saiwalō 'soul' OE sāwel; OFris sēle; OS sēola, sēla; OHG sēola, sēla
–
 Goth. saiwala According to Vladimir Orel, derived from PGmc *saiwiz ~ *saiwaz ('sea, lake'), "probably because of a Germanic belief in souls born out of and returning to sacred lakes".
–
*skalda- '(satirical) poet' OHG skelto ON skáld
–
 Probably from a PGmc verb *skeldanan ~ *skadjanan ('to mock, satirize'). Middle English scāld was borrowed from ON skáld. See skald for further discussion.
*sumlan 'banquet, symposium' OE symbel, OS sumbal ON sum(b)l
–
 From PIE *sṃ-lo- ('joint meal'). See symbel for further discussion.
*tafnan 'sacrificial meat'
–
 ON tafn
–
 Identical to Lat. damnum ('harm, damage, loss') and Arm. tawn ('feast') < PIE *dh₂p-no- ('sacrificial meal').
–
*taufran 'sorcery, magic' OE tēafor, OFris. tāver, MLG tover, OHG zoubar ON taufr
–
 Possibly derived from PGmc *tawjanan ('to do, make').
–
*tiƀran 'sacrifice, animal offering' OE tiber, tifer, OHG zebar
–
 Goth. aibr Cognate with Greek δεῖπνον ('meal') and Arm. tvar ('male sheep') < PIE *déip-r, gen. dip-n-ós. According to some scholars, Goth. aibr should be emended to *tibr.
–
*wīhaz 'holy, divine' OE wīg-, OS wīh-, OHG wīh
–
 Goth. weihs From PIE *wéik-o-. Identical to Lith. viẽkas ('life force'), and further related to Lat. victima ('sacrificial animal'). Source of PGmc *wīhēnan ~ *wīhjanan ('to consecrate'), *wīhislōn ('consecration'), and *wīhiþō ('holiness, sanctity').
*wīhan 'sanctuary' OE wīh, OS wīh, OHG wīh ON vé
–
 From PGmc *wīhaz ('holy, divine'). See Vé (shrine) for further discussion.
*wīhōn 'priest'
–
 ON Véi Goth. weiha From PGmc *wīhaz ('holy, divine'). See Vili and Vé for further discussion.
*wikkōnan 'to practice sorcery' OE wiccian, WFris. wikje, MDu. wicken, MHG wicken
–
–
 From PGmc *wīhaz ('holy, divine'). This verb served as the derivational base for OE wicca ('witch') and MHG wicker ('soothsayer'). Source of modern English witch.
*wītagōn 'wizard, prophet' OE wítega, OHG wīzago ON vitki
–
 From PGmc *witanan ('to know'). Source of the PGmc verb *wītagōjanan ('to prophesy').
Note: OE = Old English; OFris = Old Frisian; OFrank. = Old Frankish; OS = Old Saxon; MLG = Middle Low German; OD = Old Dutch; MDu. = Middle Dutch; OHG = Old High German; ON = Old Norse; Goth. = Gothic; Lomb. = Lombardic; Burg. = Burgundian; PGmc = Proto-Germanic; PIE = Proto-Indo-European; – = Unattested

Notes

  1. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 43.
  2. ^ de Vries 1962, p. 20.
  3. ^ Falluomini 2017.
  4. ^ Simek 1984, pp. 31–32.
  5. ^ Orel 2003, p. 33.
  6. ^ de Vries 1962, p. 24.
  7. ^ Orel 2003, pp. 33–34.
  8. Simek 1996, p. 26. sfn error: no target: CITEREFSimek1996 (help)
  9. Simek 1993, p. 59-60, 7, 139.
  10. Simek 1993, p. 7.
  11. Simek 1993, p. 139.
  12. Simek 1984, p. 11.
  13. ^ Rosenfeld & Hauck 1984.
  14. de Vries 1962, p. 142.
  15. ^ Orel 2003, p. 112.
  16. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 153.
  17. Kroonen 2013, pp. 152–153.
  18. ^ Orel 2003, p. 114.
  19. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 155.
  20. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. Friday, n. and adv.
  21. ^ Orel 2003, p. 129.
  22. ^ de Vries 2000, p. 159. sfn error: no target: CITEREFde_Vries2000 (help)
  23. Orel 2003, pp. 129, 147.
  24. Rübekeil 2002, p. 603.
  25. Simek 1993, pp. 100–101.
  26. ^ Orel 2003, p. 118.
  27. ^ de Vries 1962, p. 239.
  28. ^ Simek 1984, p. 185.
  29. ^ de Vries 1957, pp. 321–322.
  30. Orel 2003, p. 191.
  31. ^ Simek 1984, pp. 185, 198.
  32. ^ de Vries 1962, p. 678.
  33. ^ Lehmann 1986, p. 100.
  34. ^ de Vries 1962, pp. 286, 679.
  35. ^ Lehmann 1986, p. 244.
  36. Mallory & Adams 1997, p. 367.
  37. ^ Orel 2003, p. 270.
  38. ^ Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. moon, n.1
  39. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 365.
  40. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. Monday, n. and adv.
  41. ^ Puhvel 1987, p. 205.
  42. ^ Simek & 2007 , p. 230. sfn error: no target: CITEREFSimek2007_[1993] (help)
  43. Magnússon 198, p. 671). sfn error: no target: CITEREFMagnússon198 (help)
  44. Hopkins 2012, p. 39.
  45. ^ Orel 2003, p. 385.
  46. Magnusson 1989, pp. 463–464. sfn error: no target: CITEREFMagnusson1989 (help)
  47. ^ Orel 2003, pp. 361, 385, 387.
  48. ^ Kroonen 2013, pp. 463–464.
  49. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. Sunday, n. and adv.
  50. ^ Orel 2003, p. 408.
  51. Lehmann 1986, p. 352.
  52. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 519.
  53. Simek 1984, pp. 413, 420.
  54. West 2007, p. 167 n. 8.
  55. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. Tuesday, n. and adv.
  56. de Vries 1957, pp. 363–364.
  57. Simek 1984, p. 418.
  58. Mallory & Adams 1997, p. 129.
  59. de Vries 1962, p. 602.
  60. ^ Simek 1984, p. 251.
  61. de Vries 1957, pp. 11–14.
  62. Delamarre 2003, p. 290; Matasović 2009, p. 384.
  63. Jackson 2002, p. 61-102.
  64. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. Thursday, n. and adv.
  65. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 274.
  66. Puhvel 1987, p. 63.
  67. Mallory & Adams 1997, pp. 129–130.
  68. ^ Orel 2003, p. 469.
  69. West 2007, p. 137.
  70. Kroonen 2013, p. 592.
  71. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. Wednesday, n. and adv.
  72. ^ Orel 2003, p. 474.
  73. ^ de Vries 1962, p. 633.
  74. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 599.
  75. ^ Orel 2003, p. 475.
  76. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 600.
  77. ^ Orel 2003, p. 13.
  78. Burgundian's status as an East Germanic language remains unclear.
  79. ^ Orel 2003, p. 15.
  80. Orel 2003, p. 21.
  81. de Vries 1962, p. 16; Simek 1984, p. 25; Orel 2003, p. 21; Kroonen 2013, p. 30
  82. de Vries 1962, p. 16; Simek 1984, p. 25; Orel 2003, p. 21; Kroonen 2013, p. 30
  83. de Vries 1962, p. 16; Simek 1984, p. 25; Orel 2003, p. 21; Kroonen 2013, p. 30
  84. ^ Orel 2003, p. 20–21.
  85. Kroonen 2013, p. 30.
  86. ^ Orel 2003, p. 72.
  87. Kroonen 2013, p. 96.
  88. Kroonen 2013, pp. 114–115.
  89. Kroonen 2013, pp. 96, 114.
  90. Simek 1993, p. 171.
  91. ^ Orel 2003, p. 81.
  92. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. dwarf, n. and adj.
  93. Kroonen 2013, p. 112.
  94. ^ Orel 2003, p. 86.
  95. ^ Orel 2003, p. 262.
  96. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 163.
  97. ^ Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. ghost, n.
  98. ^ Orel 2003, p. 145.
  99. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. god, n. and int.
  100. Kroonen 2013, pp. 193–194.
  101. Orel 2003, pp. 144–145.
  102. ^ Orel 2003, p. 241.
  103. ^ Oxford English Dictionary 2021 s.v. mare, n.2.
  104. Derksen 2007, p. 324.
  105. Derksen 2007, pp. 302, 324.
  106. TLFi, s.v. cauchemar.
  107. ^ Orel 2003, p. 287.
  108. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 390.
  109. ^ Orel 2003, p. 343.
  110. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 447.
  111. ^ Orel 2003, p. 429.
  112. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 552.
  113. ^ Orel 2003, p. 472.
  114. ^ Orel 2003, p. 442.
  115. Kroonen 2013, p. 569.
  116. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. † walkyrie, n.
  117. ^ Orel 2003, p. 463.
  118. ^ Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. werewolf, n.
  119. ^ de Vries 1962, p. 646.
  120. ^ Orel 2003, p. 463, 450.
  121. ^ DEAF G:334–338.
  122. FEW 17:569.
  123. DEAF G:334–338.
  124. ^ Orel 2003, pp. 15, 452; Kroonen 2013, p. 578
  125. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 578.
  126. ^ Orel 2003, p. 99.
  127. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 136.
  128. ^ West 2007, p. 241.
  129. ^ Orel 2003, p. 156.
  130. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. hell, n. and int.
  131. Kroonen 2013, p. 204.
  132. ^ Orel 2003, p. 169.
  133. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 220.
  134. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. heaven, n.
  135. Kroonen 2013, pp. 206, 220.
  136. ^ Hopkins & Haukur 2011, p. 14-17. sfn error: no target: CITEREFHopkins_&_Haukur2011 (help)
  137. Kroonen 2013, p. 573.
  138. ^ Orel 2003, p. 264.
  139. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. † middenerd, n.
  140. ^ Orel 2003, p. 462.
  141. ^ Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. world, n.
  142. ^ Orel 2003, p. 14.
  143. Kroonen 2013, p. 22.
  144. ^ Orel 2003, p. 51.
  145. de Vries 2000, p. 45. sfn error: no target: CITEREFde_Vries2000 (help)
  146. Kroonen 2013, p. 70.
  147. ^ Orel 2003, p. 50.
  148. ^ Orel 2003, p. 124.
  149. Kroonen 2013, p. 164.
  150. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 194.
  151. Poirier 2007, p. 299-207.
  152. ^ Orel 2003, p. 161.
  153. ^ Orel 2003, p. 164.
  154. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 211.
  155. ^ Orel 2003, p. 155.
  156. ^ Orel 2003, p. 194.
  157. Kroonen 2013, p. 256.
  158. ^ Orel 2003, p. 190.
  159. ^ Orel 2003, p. 205.
  160. ^ Lehmann 1986, p. 211.
  161. ^ Orel 2003, pp. 205–206.
  162. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 311.
  163. ^ Orel 2003, p. 249.
  164. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 341.
  165. ^ Orel 2003, p. 266.
  166. Watkins 1995, p. 429.
  167. ^ Orel 2003, p. 310.
  168. ^ Orel 2003, p. 313.
  169. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 421.
  170. ^ Orel 2003, p. 314.
  171. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 439.
  172. de Vries 1962, p. 481.
  173. Oxford English Dictionary 2021, s.v. scold, n.
  174. ^ Orel 2003, p. 386.
  175. ^ Orel 2003, p. 398.
  176. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 504.
  177. ^ Orel 2003, p. 402.
  178. ^ Orel 2003, p. 406.
  179. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 516.
  180. Lehmann 1986, p. 13.
  181. ^ Orel 2003, p. 465.
  182. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 585.
  183. Orel 2003, pp. 465–466.
  184. ^ Kroonen 2013, p. 586.
  185. ^ Orel 2003, p. 468.

References

Categories:
Proto-Germanic folklore Add topic