Who Is Skadi
Skadi is a giantess of winter and high mountains and one of the most striking figures in Norse mythology. She is the daughter of the giant Thjazi and is famed for her skills in skiing hunting and survival in icy wilderness. Though born among the jotnar she becomes associated with the gods after seeking justice for her father’s death.
After Thjazi is killed by the Aesir Skadi travels to Asgard fully armed to demand compensation. Impressed by her courage the gods grant her a place among them. She chooses a husband from the gods but is only allowed to pick by looking at their feet. She hopes to choose Baldr but instead picks Njord the sea god.
Their marriage highlights the clash between her cold mountain world and Njord’s home by the sea. Eventually they part but Skadi remains connected to the gods and continues to stand as a symbol of independence endurance and winter strength.
Character and Nature
Winter Strength
Skadi rules over icy mountains and harsh winters embodying cold resilience and the stillness of snow covered heights.
Keeper of the Peaks
She dwells in high snowy mountains and is most at home in rugged wilderness far from the halls of gods or men.
Skilled Huntress
With bow snowshoes and unmatched endurance Skadi is known for her ability to travel swiftly across snow and ice.
Skadi and Her Marriage to Njord
As compensation for her father’s death the gods offer Skadi a husband chosen only by looking at the feet of the Aesir. She hopes to pick Baldr the most beautiful of the gods but instead chooses Njord whose sea worn feet belong to a god far different from herself.
Their attempts to live together reveal their incompatibility. Skadi cannot stand the cries of seabirds or the damp air of Njord’s home at Noatun while Njord cannot bear the howling winds and wolves of Skadi’s mountain hall Thrymheim.
They part amicably and Skadi remains a unique figure straddling the worlds of gods and giants. Her independence and strength continue to echo through the later mythology.
Quick Facts
Associated Figures
Symbolism
Skadi symbolises independence icy endurance hunting skill and the hard majesty of winter mountains. Her story also illustrates the difficulty of joining two opposing worlds sea and mountain warmth and cold civilisation and wilderness.