The legend of Skoll and Hati

Among all the Nordic legends, the one of Skoll and Hati is the most fascinating. Today, the skalds of Khatone's Skáli invite you to explore the captivating universe of Scandinavian mythology through the legend of the giant wolves, Skoll and Hati. You will discover the richness of the stories and the symbolism of the wolves in the ancient Scandinavian cultures, as well as the impact of these myths on our modern world. You will also understand why we chose this legend to create one of our first handmade lavender soaps: Hati.

Scandinavian mythology, which encompasses the beliefs and legends of the northern Germanic peoples, has always captured the imagination of millions of people around the world. The epic tales, powerful gods and extraordinary creatures have endured through the centuries to continue to inspire us today. Many movies, Romans and video games are largely inspired by these legends!

Are you ready to dive into this universe with us? Let's go !

Stress and anxiety are the body's natural responses to stressful or threatening situations. Stress can be caused by events such as problems at work, financial problems or health problems, while anxiety can be caused by everyday situations such as exams or job interviews. While these responses can be helpful in some situations, chronic stress or anxiety can have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Chronic stress can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and other health problems. Chronic anxiety can also have negative effects on mental health, such as depression and anxiety disorders. So it's important to find effective ways to manage stress and anxiety.

It is important to note that most of the writings about the Vikings and their culture date from a few centuries after their disappearance. These texts were written mainly by Christian monks, who recorded these stories and legends from their own perspective and understanding of Viking culture.

This implies that our knowledge of Norse mythology and Viking culture may be partially biased or incomplete. The Christian monks who wrote these texts may have consciously or unconsciously adapted or changed parts of the stories to fit their own beliefs and values. In addition, the oral transmission of the stories before they were written down may also have resulted in changes or distortions over time.

However, despite these limitations, the texts we have today, such as the Eddas, remain a valuable source of information about Norse mythology and Viking life. It is therefore essential to use these writings critically and to take a nuanced approach to understanding these ancient stories in their historical and cultural context.

... The great Swedish king Gylfi met the Most High and asked him questions. In the course of the discussion, he asked him:

"The sun is moving so fast it looks like he's afraid. If he felt safe, he wouldn't be going at this pace."

The Most High replied, "It is natural for the sun to hurry like this, for the one who is chasing him is very close. He has no other way out but to flee."

 The king asked him, "But who is putting him in this danger?"

"They are two wolves," he replied. "The one that pursues the sun is called Sköll; it fills the sun with fear and will eventually devour it. As for the other, it is Hati, son of Hródvitnir, and he wants to catch the moon. He too will eventually devour his prey."

The king asked, "But of what race are these wolves?"

The Most High: "There is a giantess, far to the east of Midgard. She gives birth to many sons, all wolf-like giants. And from them come Skoll and Hati."

The legend of Skoll and Hati has its roots in ancient Norse mythology. This story illustrates the concept of the eternal chase, where the stars are constantly trying to escape their celestial predators.

Skoll and Hati are the children of Fenrir, a monstrous and fearsome wolf who is himself the son of the evil god Loki. Fenrir is a terrifying creature, capable of growing indefinitely and swallowing the whole world. According to mythology, Skoll and Hati inherit their father's size and power, as well as his insatiable appetite.

In Scandinavian art and literature, Skoll and Hati are often depicted as majestic and frightening creatures, with imposing forms and wild features. Images of these mythical wolves vary widely, but all evoke a primitive strength and savage beauty that reflects the untamed nature of the ancient peoples of the North.

In Scandinavian culture, wolves were simultaneously admired and feared. They symbolized strength, courage and loyalty, while also embodying destruction and brutality. Moreover, the wolf has always been perceived as a nocturnal animal, which naturally links it to the moon. As a lunar animal, the wolf, and in particular the she-wolf, has a dimension linked to fertility and life. This accentuates the life-destruction duality associated with the wolf in its symbolism.

Thus, Scandinavian mythology highlights the complex relationship between men and wolves, who were both respected for their strength and bravery, but also feared for their ferocity and capacity to destroy. The legend of Skoll and Hati represents this ambivalence well, merging aspects of life and destruction, and emphasizing the duality to the nature of these legendary animals.

Skoll and Hati are born from the union of Fenrir with a giantess named Angrboða. Fenrir himself is the son of Loki, the evil and deceitful god, and the giantess Angrboða. Yes, yes, you read that right 😊. Angrboða is both the grandmother and mother of Skoll and Hati. And you'll see that there are plenty of such strange stories in the tales and legends of Norse mythology. Thus, Skoll and Hati have gods and giants as ancestors, which explains their immense size and supernatural power.

Despite their kinship, Skoll and Hati have a tumultuous and conflicted relationship. In some versions of the myth, the two brothers compete to capture their prey. In other accounts, Skoll and Hati cooperate and work together to accomplish their mission.

Their rivalry reflects the tension inherent in Norse mythology, where gods and giants are often in conflict with each other, and where alliances are as ephemeral as betrayals. Thus, Skoll and Hati embody both solidarity and discord, two forces that shape the fate of the world in mythological stories.

In Norse cosmogony, the universe is divided into nine worlds, each populated by gods, giants, dwarves and other mythical creatures. At the center of this universe is Yggdrasil, the world-tree that links all these worlds together. The role of Skoll and Hati in this cosmic organization is to ensure the regularity of the sun and moon cycles, thus contributing to the balance of the universe.

The sun and the moon are essential elements and represent not only sources of light and life, but also cosmic forces that influence the destiny of gods and men. Skoll and Hati, chasing these stars, embody the forces of chaos and destruction that constantly threaten the balance of the world.

Ragnarök, the end of the world according to Norse mythology, is a cataclysmic event that leads to the death of many gods and the destruction of the universe as we know it. Skoll and Hati play a crucial role in this apocalyptic scenario, as they are responsible for the disappearance of the sun and the moon, which plunges the world into darkness and heralds the arrival of Ragnarök. The sun will be devoured by Skoll, while the moon will fall under the fangs of Hati. The disappearance of these stars will cause a terrible winter of 3 years, the Fimbulvetr, during which the earth will be plunged into darkness and desolation.

During Ragnarök, the gods and giants will face each other in an epic battle that will decide the fate of the universe. Fenrir, the father of Sköll and Hati, will also be freed from his chains and will participate in this war. At the end of this battle, the world will be destroyed and reborn in a new form, free of the forces of chaos and destruction.

The sun and the moon: the eternal prey

The sun and the moon are, for the people of the north, living beings that travel the sky on horse-drawn chariots. Sol, the sun goddess, is a radiant and powerful female figure, often represented on a golden chariot. Máni, the god of the moon, embodies wisdom and knowledge. Sol, Máni, here are two others who inspired some of the products of Khatone's Skáli 😉

Our Hati soap was one of the first soaps made at Khatone's Skáli. Although its scent has evolved a lot since 2018, the original spirit is still present. The idea was to create a soft and lightly scented soap of lavender and musk to remind the evening and the night illuminated by the light of the moon. The musk brings the wild side of the Hati wolf, which offers a balanced and atypical soap.

It is created in cold saponification is overgreased to 10%, for a soft cleaning of the face and the body. Enriched with organic vegetable oils and essential oil of lavandin from Provence, it leaves your skin delicately scented with a soft and bewitching scent of musk.

That's it, our journey ends here for now. If you have enjoyed this dive into Norse mythology and would like to discover more, we encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter. That way, you won't miss any of our future explorations, and you can continue to deepen your understanding of the myths and legends that have shaped the world as we know it.

The story of Skoll and Hati is only the beginning of a fascinating journey through the ages and European culture. By subscribing to our newsletter, you will be guaranteed not to miss anything of this exceptional journey. Thanks again for reading, and we look forward to seeing you in our next mythological adventures.

By the way, don't hesitate to tell us in comments what is the next caption you want to read!