Surtr

Surtr, also spelled Surt or Surtur in some traditions, is a jötunn from Norse mythology associated with fire. He is said to originate from Muspelheim, the realm of flame, and is depicted as a fearsome giant who bears a burning sword. In the mythic narrative surrounding Ragnarök, Surtr leads the forces of fire against the gods of Asgard.

Name and sources: The name Surtr appears in Old Norse texts, with etymology often linked to words for heat or darkness; scholars note the meaning is uncertain. The chief sources for Surtr are the Prose Edda of Snorri Sturluson and, to a lesser extent, the Poetic Edda (notably the Völuspá). These works describe his fiery nature and his role in Ragnarök.

Mythic role: At Ragnarök, Surtr is foretold to set the world ablaze with his flaming sword, confronting the Aesir and contributing to the destruction that ends the current cosmos. The conflagration destroys the world, but the myth concludes with a renewal in which a new world rises and the surviving or reborn beings repopulate the earth.

Legacy: Surtr is commonly regarded as a personification of destructive fire within Norse myth. The figure has been adapted in modern culture, appearing in comics and fantasy media where Surtur or Surtr is portrayed as a powerful fire-being.