háþrýsting

Háþrýsting is a term from Old Norse literature, referring to a type of feast or celebration held in honor of a hero or a significant event. The term is derived from the Old Norse words "há" meaning high or great, and "þrýsting" meaning feast or celebration. Háþrýsting often involved grand gatherings, feasting, and the recitation of heroic tales, such as those found in the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda. These events were central to the Norse cultural and social life, serving as a means to honor the past, celebrate achievements, and strengthen community bonds. The term is most famously associated with the Skáldskaparmál, a section of the Poetic Edda, where it is discussed in the context of the heroic age and the role of skalds in Norse society.