The Hunt of the Celestial Twins: Sol and Mani
In the realms of Norse mythology, Sol and Mani are the divine representations of the sun and moon, respectively, with Sol being female and Mani male. This is reflected in their names, derived from the Old Norse terms Sól for the sun and Máni for the moon.
These celestial siblings emerged during the early stages of the universe’s formation, initially unaware of their divine abilities or predetermined roles. It was through the assembly of the gods that they were granted purpose, with the creation of time, day, and lunar phases guiding Sol and Mani on their journey.
Their enchanting journey is depicted through the imagery of horse-drawn chariots as they traverse the heavens. While the mounts that pull Mani’s chariot remain nameless, Sol is famously paired with her horses Árvakr, meaning “Early Riser,” and Alsviðr, translating to “Swift.” This swiftness is necessitated by the relentless chase of the wolves Skoll and Hati, who symbolize mockery and hate, respectively, and are prophesied to catch them during Ragnarok, the end of times.
The Poetic Edda also introduces a figure named Svalinn, who protects the earth using a shield within the sun’s chariot, averting cataclysmic fires that could consume both land and sea. Another mysterious aspect of this myth revolves around their father, Mundilfari, whose name could signify “The One Who Moves According to Particular Times.” Not much else is known regarding Mundilfari’s origins or significance.
The medieval historian Snorri Sturluson, through his work the Prose Edda, presents a narrative weaving together these different traditions. Although his accounts may not always faithfully represent earlier beliefs, they provide intriguing insights nonetheless. Sturluson tells of Mundilfari, whose offspring were so exquisite that he named his daughter after the sun and his son after the moon, resulting in the celestial characters we recognize today. In his tale, Sol is compelled to steer her chariot across the sky due to the gods’ displeasure at Mundilfari’s apparent pride.
The imagery of sun and moon being pulled in celestial chariots is an enduring motif, found throughout Norse and broader Germanic cultural artifacts, such as rock carvings from the Bronze Age, with the Trundholm sun chariot being a notable example. The feminine nature of the sun, named simply “Sun,” is echoed across various ancient Germanic traditions as well.
While the specifics surrounding Sol and Mani are sparse, these representations underscore their pivotal role in the tapestry of pre-Christian Germanic spirituality and mythology.
