Surtr

Who Is Surtr

Surtr is the great fire giant of Muspelheim and one of the most fearsome beings in Norse mythology. He stands at the border of his blazing realm holding a flaming sword that shines brighter than the sun. From the earliest tales he is linked to the ultimate destruction of the world.

During Ragnarok Surtr leads the fire giants against the gods. He advances from the south, flames pouring from his sword, and the Bifrost bridge shatters beneath the oncoming host. In the final moments he sets the whole world on fire and the lands sink into the sea.

Yet after this burning an image of renewal appears in the myths. A new green earth rises from the waters. Surtr therefore represents not only ruin but the consuming fire that clears the way for something new.

Character and Nature

Surtr at Ragnarok

When the signs of Ragnarok appear, Surtr marches from Muspelheim at the head of the fire giants. Flames roar around him and his sword sets sky and earth ablaze. He joins the armies that attack the gods on the plain of Vigrid.

In the great battle, Surtr fights the god Freyr, who once gave away his own sword for love. Freyr falls before Surtr because he lacks his weapon. After the clash of gods and giants, Surtr raises his flaming sword and the fires spread over the whole world.

Mountains crumble, trees burn, and even the stars fall from the sky. At last the earth sinks into the sea. Only after this cleansing fire and flood does a renewed world rise again in the surviving myths.