Overview
Álsviðnir (also written Alsvider) is one of the mythic horses who pulls the sun chariot through the sky in Norse mythology. His name means “All-Swift” or “Very Swift,” a fitting description for a creature tasked with racing ahead of a flaming celestial carriage.
Along with his companion horse Árvak (meaning “Early Awake”), Álsviðnir draws the chariot of the sun goddess Sól. Every day, they guide the sun along its heavenly path while fleeing from the wolf Sköll, who relentlessly pursues them.
The gods placed bellows beneath their harnesses to cool them from the immense heat of the sun — a detail that emphasizes both their endurance and the engineering genius of the gods.
Key Roles
Puller of the Sun Chariot
Álsviðnir helps draw Sól’s radiant chariot, ensuring the cycle of day and night continues through the nine realms.
One of the Swiftest of the Divine Horses
His name reflects his incredible speed — essential in keeping the sun ahead of the wolf Sköll, who seeks to devour it each day.
Enduring the Heat of the Sun
Only divine craftsmanship makes Álsviðnir’s duty possible — the gods installed cooling bellows beneath the horses’ harnesses so they could withstand the sun’s blazing radiance.
Symbol of Cosmic Order & Endurance
Álsviðnir represents divine endurance, cosmic movement, and the dependable rhythms of the natural world — the daily journey of the sun that sustains life across the realms.
Quick Facts
Related Stories
Domain
The Celestial Path
Álsviðnir races alongside Árvak across the heavens, drawing the blazing sun across the sky each day and ensuring the continuation of light and life.