Sæhrímnir

Sæhrímnir is the name of a cauldron used by the Æsir in Valhalla to cook meals for the gods and the einherjar, the heroic dead. It is described as providing an inexhaustible supply of meat: after feasts the cauldron may appear emptied, yet the meat is renewed overnight, so there is always enough for the next day’s meal. In some versions, the meat is said to come from a magical boar named Sæhrímnir, though other accounts treat Sæhrímnir strictly as the vessel’s name. The sources do not always agree on the exact source of the meat, but the governing idea is one of abundance and continuous hospitality.

The cauldron is attested in Norse literature, most notably in Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda and in references within the Poetic Edda. It is part of the Valhalla feast, which sustains the einherjar—warriors who are housed there and prepared for Ragnarok. The perpetual feasting in Sæhrímnir underscores themes of sustenance, immortality, and the cycle of preparation for future conflict found in Norse myth.

Etymology and interpretation: The meaning of the name Sæhrímnir is uncertain, and scholars offer various readings. Some traditions connect the term to the vessel, while others suggest a link to an animal associated with the feast. Regardless of exact origin, Sæhrímnir functions as a symbol of abundance and the mythical provision that supports the heroic dead in Norse belief.