Andvarís

Andvarís, also known as Andvarísi, is a legendary magical ring in Norse mythology. It is part of the cursed hoard of the dwarf Andvari and is one of the most famous objects associated with the Andvari treasure. The name is generally rendered as Andvarísi in Old Norse, meaning “Andvari’s ring.”

In the myths, the dwarf Andvari is forced by Loki to surrender his hoard of gold, including the ring. Andvari curses the treasure with misfortune, stating that anyone who possesses the gold or the ring will suffer ruin and death for themselves and their kin. The curse is thus a central motive in the narrative, turning wealth into a catalyst for tragedy.

The ring and its treasure pass through various hands in the Norse sagas, most notably influencing the Völsung and Burgundian cycles. The hoard—often described as the source of immense wealth—becomes a focal point for greed and betrayal, and the ring’s curse is linked to a sequence of deaths and feuds that shapes the fate of the heroes in the saga tradition. The tale is preserved in sources such as the Völsunga saga and related Edda-era poetry, where Andvarís is emblematic of the destructive power of wealth when corrupted by desire.

Scholarly and literary treatment of Andvarís emphasizes its role as a paradigmatic instance of a cursed treasure in Germanic myth. The motif has influenced later adaptations and the broader mythic tradition, including works inspired by the Ring cycle and the broader theme of a ring that grants power at the cost of moral and personal ruin.