Bálkr

Bálkr is a term that appears in Old Norse literature, notably in the Poetic Edda. Its exact meaning and significance have been a subject of scholarly debate. The most common interpretation of bálkr is "bone" or "corpse." This understanding is derived from its etymological connections to similar words in other Germanic languages.

The term is found in several Eddic poems, often in contexts relating to death, burial, or the remains of fallen warriors. For instance, in the poem Grímnismál, Odin mentions "bálkr veðr þá ór líki" which can be translated as "the corpse then becomes bone" or "the bone comes forth from the body." This reinforces the interpretation of bálkr as referring to the physical remains after death.

Another possible, though less widely accepted, interpretation suggests bálkr might refer to a "heap" or "mass," possibly of bones or the dead. This broader meaning could encompass a burial mound or a pile of bodies. However, the direct connection to "bone" remains the most consistent and supported interpretation based on linguistic evidence and textual usage. The precise nuance of the word continues to be explored by philologists and scholars of Old Norse mythology and language.