niðursnúinn

Niðursnúinn is a term found in Old Norse literature, most notably in the *Poetic Edda*, a collection of anonymous Old Norse poems compiled in Iceland during the 13th century. The word itself is a compound of *niður* ("down" or "downward") and *snúa* ("to turn"), meaning "turned downward" or "reversed." It appears in the poem *Hávamál* (Stanza 137), part of the *Eldskrár* section, where it is used in the context of the gods' fate.

In the stanza, Odin, speaking as the wise Allfather, describes the eventual downfall of the gods at Ragnarök, the apocalyptic battle that will bring about the end of the world in Norse mythology. The phrase "niðursnúinn" is used to describe how the gods will be "turned downward" or "overthrown," symbolizing their defeat and the collapse of their power. This imagery reflects the cyclical nature of existence in Norse cosmology, where destruction is followed by rebirth and renewal.

The term is also associated with the concept of *dregið niðr* ("drawn down"), another phrase from *Hávamál* (Stanza 138), reinforcing the idea of decline and reversal. Together, these expressions highlight the inevitability of change and the transient nature of divine authority in Norse myth.

While "niðursnúinn" is not a widely used term outside of its mythological context, it remains significant in the study of Old Norse poetry and mythology. Its appearance in *Hávamál* underscores the poem’s themes of wisdom, prophecy, and the passage of time, offering insight into the worldview of the Viking Age. The phrase continues to be referenced in academic discussions of Norse cosmology and the poetic language of the *Edda*.