In Norse mythology, Bifröst or Birlöst is a fiery rainbow bridge between Midgard (Earth) and Asgard i.e. the realm of the Gods. The bridge is mentioned as Birlöst in Poetic Edda, which was edited in the 13th century from previously surviving sources and as Bifröst i the Prose Edda. According to Prose Edda, the bridge ends in heaven at Himinbjörg. Himinbjörg is the residence of the Heimdall god, who protects the bridge from Jötnar. The destruction of the bridge in Ragnarok by Muspell's army has been foretold. Scholars suggest that the bridge may have originally represented the Milky Way, noting its similarities to another Norse mythological bridge, Gjallarbrú. Scholar Andy Orchard suggested that Bifrost can mean a "shimmering path". Austrian German scholar Rudolf Simek suggested that Bifröst could also mean "the swaying road to heaven". The bridge is mentioned in the Prose Edda books Gylfaginning and Skáldskaparmál, where it is referred to as Bifröst. In chapter 13 of Gylfaginning, Gangleri (King Gylfi in disguise) asks the coronated figure of High which way existed between heaven and earth! With a laugh, High replies that the question is unwise and continued to explain that the gods have built a bridge between heaven and earth. Incredibly, he asks Gangleri if he has heard of it. High says Gangleri must have seen it and mentions that Gangeri can call it a rainbow. (Info-Credit: Bifröst, Wikipedia) [Image: 1. The god Heimdallr stands before the rainbow bridge while blowing a horn (1905) by Emil Doepler. 2. Thor wades through rivers while the rest of the æsir ride across Bifröst (1895) by Lorenz Frølich. 3. Bifröst appears in the background as the gods do battle in Battle of the Doomed Gods (1882) by Friedrich Wilhelm Heine. 4. Bifröst in the background, Heimdallr explains to a young Hnoss how all things came to be (1920) by Willy Pogany. ]
Norse Mythology
