Old Norse Wedding Ring Inscriptions?

July 11, 2006 9:44 AM

What Old Norse phrase would be appropriate for an inscription on the inside of a wedding band?

Both my fiancé and I are of Scandinavian descent (although our families have been in the US for several generations now), and ideally would like to find a portion of an Old Norse poem that would be appropriate for inside our rings. From what we've found so far, however, poetry in Old Norse is more geared towards warfare than affections. We'd be open to other non-poetic phrases, as well. Any suggestions?

posted by ScottUltra to writing & language (6 comments total)

You might find something in the Havamal that appeals to you, but my recollection is that the Old Norse aphorisms don't have a very positive view of women. (For example: "The speech of a maiden should no man trust / nor the words which a woman says; / for their hearts were shaped on a whirling wheel / and falsehood fixed in their breasts.")
posted by cgs06 at 10:20 AM on July 11, 2006

Try love story of Svipdag and Mengloth from the Poetic Edda. (Scroll to the end for the happy love-y bits.)
posted by Gator at 10:23 AM on July 11, 2006

I don't know Old Norse, but there are some great love stories in old Icelandic epics. Check out Sagas of Warrior-Poets (the title is somewhat deceptive) or Sagas of Icelanders - they are in English, but you might be able to hunt down the Icelandic equivalent once you know what you are looking for. Kormak's Saga in particular has references to love and rings. For example, here is Kormak's Song:

"At the door of my soul she is standing,
So sweet in the gleam of her garment:
Her footfall awakens a fury,
A fierceness of love that I knew not,
Those feet of a wench in her wimple,
Their weird is my sorrow and troubling,
- Or naught may my knowledge avail me -
Both now and for aye to endure."

I don't speak or read Icelandic but you might be able to find it here or by limiting an advanced google search to icelandic language results only.

Also, you might check out this facing-page translation of the Old English poem Deor. "My Beloved Hero" (a phrase from the Dream of the Rood) looks like this in Old English: hæleð min se leofa.
posted by mattbucher at 10:41 AM on July 11, 2006 [1 favorite]

"The speech of a maiden should no man trust / nor the words which a woman says; / for their hearts were shaped on a whirling wheel / and falsehood fixed in their breasts."

I think that would be perfect.
posted by Demogorgon at 5:22 PM on July 11, 2006

Hyvarr jota!
posted by ikkyu2 at 12:25 AM on July 12, 2006

Thanks for your suggestions. You have all been greatly helpful.
posted by ScottUltra at 11:04 AM on July 12, 2006