symbel

Symbel, also spelled sumbel or sumble in various transliterations, is a ceremonial drinking ritual found in early Germanic and Norse tradition. The term derives from Old Norse sumbel and related forms in later Norse and English, and names the communal toasting portion of a feast. In historical sources, symbel is described as a social and religious practice used to seal alliances, honor the gods and ancestors, and celebrate events or milestones.

Practice typically involves participants sharing mead or ale from a common drinking vessel (often a horn) in a ritual sequence. Libations or offerings may accompany the start of the rite. The main portion consists of a series of toasts to specific beings or groups—such as the gods (for example Odin, Thor, Freyr), the dead or ancestors, guests, and the host—as well as the community itself. Many accounts include a segment of boasting (or 'boasting') in which participants recount deeds, fortunes, or promises, sometimes followed by oaths or pledges. A final blessing or song may close the symbel.

Symbolically, symbel functions as a means of binding participants through shared ritual, language, and reciprocity, reinforcing social bonds and collective identity. It is often linked with, but distinct from, blót, the sacrificial rite, whereas symbel may occur within or alongside feasts, weddings, or other gatherings.

In modern times, symbel forms a core element of many contemporary rekindled or reconstructed Norse and Germanic spiritual movements, particularly among Ásatrú and Heathen groups, who perform it as part of ritual calendars and community events. Variants and exact practices vary by tradition.