Overview
Alsviðr (meaning “Very Swift”) and his companion Alsvið are the two divine horses who pull the chariot of the sun across the sky each day in Norse mythology. They serve the sun goddess Sól, carrying her fiery carriage as she flees from the wolf Sköll, who seeks to devour her.
These celestial horses are among the fastest beings in the Norse cosmos. Their immense speed helps keep the sun moving across the sky and prevents eternal darkness from falling upon the nine worlds.
To withstand the intense heat of the sun, the gods placed bellows beneath their harnesses to cool them — a small detail from mythology that emphasizes both the scale of their labor and the ingenuity of divine craftsmanship.
Key Roles
Pullers of the Sun Chariot
Alsviðr and Alsvið draw the chariot of the sun goddess Sól, ensuring the passage of daylight through the nine realms. Without them, the worlds would fall into shadow.
Among the Swiftest of Horses
Their name and reputation reflect their unmatched speed — a necessity, since they must outrun the wolf Sköll every day to keep the sun in motion.
Enduring the Heat of the Sun
The gods crafted special bellows to keep the horses cool as they run, making them the only creatures capable of pulling a blazing celestial chariot.
Symbolism
Alsviðr and Alsvið represent divine endurance, cosmic order, and the essential forces that maintain the cycle of day and night.
Quick Facts
Related Stories
Domain
The Sky & Cosmic Path
Alsviðr and Alsvið race tirelessly across the heavens, tracing the daily arc of the sun among the nine realms on the path defined by the gods.