þruginn

þruginn is a term found in Old Norse literature, primarily associated with the *Poetic Edda*, a collection of Old Norse poems preserved in the 13th-century *Codex Regius*. The word appears in the poem *Hávamál* (or *The Sayings of the High One*), attributed to the god Odin, and is often translated as "thought" or "mind." In this context, it refers to the mental or spiritual faculties, particularly in relation to wisdom, foresight, and the ability to perceive deeper truths.

The term appears in the stanza (Hávamál 146) where Odin describes the process of gaining knowledge through self-sacrifice. He speaks of "hanging on a windy tree" for nine nights, pierced by a spear, and offered to Odin, as a means of attaining *þruginn*. This imagery is central to the myth of Odin’s quest for wisdom, symbolizing the struggle and suffering involved in gaining insight. The phrase "I know that I hung on a windy tree, nine long nights, wounded with a spear, dedicated to Odin, myself to myself" underscores the personal and transformative nature of this knowledge.

While *þruginn* is closely tied to Odin’s role as a god of wisdom and magic, it also reflects broader Norse concepts of mental discipline and the pursuit of enlightenment. The term appears sparingly in other Old Norse texts, but its significance lies in its association with Odin’s archetype as a seeker of hidden truths. Scholars interpret *þruginn* as embodying both intellectual and mystical dimensions, aligning with the Norse worldview where wisdom was often intertwined with spiritual and cosmic understanding.

The exact etymology of *þruginn* remains debated, but it is likely related to the Proto-Germanic root *þrugaz*, meaning "thought" or "mind." Its usage in *Hávamál* highlights the poem’s themes of self-improvement, sacrifice, and the pursuit of higher knowledge, making it a key term in the study of Norse mythology and poetic tradition.