hársvörðinni

Hársvörðinni is a term originating from Old Norse and is found in the Poetic Edda, specifically in the poem Grímnismál. It refers to a specific protective garment or shield associated with the god Odin. The word itself can be broken down into "hár" meaning "hair" and "vörðinni" meaning "protector" or "ward." Therefore, hársvörðinni literally translates to "hair protector" or "hair ward."

In the context of Grímnismál, Odin, in disguise as Grímnir, is being tormented by King Geirröd. He sits between two fires for twenty nights, and it is during this ordeal that he mentions his hársvörðinni. While the exact nature of this item is not explicitly detailed, it is understood to be something that shields or protects him, possibly his head or hair, from harm or perhaps from revealing his true divine identity. Some interpretations suggest it could be a magical helmet or a metaphorical shield against the insults and suffering inflicted upon him. The term highlights the divine power and resilience of Odin, even when subjected to earthly trials.