Ullr Totally Explained

Everything about Ullr totally explained

In Germanic paganism, Ullr appears to have been a major god in prehistoric times, or even an epitheton (*wulþuz, Old English wuldor, meaning "glory") of the head of the Proto-Germanic pantheon. Ullr is mentioned on the 3rd century Thorsberg chape and in late Icelandic sources but not much other information regarding the god has survived.

Gesta Danorum

In Saxo Grammaticus' 12th century work Gesta Danorum, where gods appear euhemerized as powerful humans, Ullr (under the name Ollerus) is described as a cunning wizard, having magical means of transportation:

ť Fama est, illum adeo praestigiarum usu calluisse, ut ad traicienda maria osse, quod diris carminibus obsignavisset, navigii loco uteretur nec eo segnius quam remigio praeiecta aquarum obstacula superaret. (External Link

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ť The story goes that he was such a cunning wizard that he used a certain bone, which he'd marked with awful spells, wherewith to cross the seas, instead of a vessel; and that by this bone he passed over the waters that barred his way as quickly as by rowing. — Elton's translation

When Odin was exiled, Ollerus was chosen to take his place. Ollerus ruled under the name Odin for ten years until the true Odin was called back, whereupon Ollerus retired to Sweden where he was slain by Danes.

Poetic Edda

Ullr is mentioned in the poem Grímnismál where the homes of individual gods are recounted.

ť Ýdalir heita

:þar er Ullr hefir ť sér of görva sali.

ť Ydalir it's called,

:where Ullr has ť himself a dwelling made. — Thorpe's translation

The name Ýdalir, meaning "yew dales", isn't otherwise attested. The yew was an important material in the making of bows, and the word ýr, "yew", is often used metonymically to refer to bows. It seems likely that the name Ýdalir is connected with the idea of Ullr as a bow-god.
Another strophe in Grímnismál also mentions Ullr.

ť Ullar hylli

:hefr ok allra goða ť hverr er tekr fyrstr á funa,

því at opnir heimar ť verða of ása sonum,

þá er hefja af hvera.

ť Ullr’s and all the gods’

:favour shall have, ť whoever first shall look to the fire;

for open will the dwelling be, ť to the Æsir's sons,

when the kettles are lifted off. — Thorpe's translation

The strophe is obscure but may refer to some sort of religious ceremony. It seems to indicate Ullr as an important god.
The last reference to Ullr in the Poetic Edda is found in Atlakviða:

ť Svá gangi þér, Atli,

:sem þú við Gunnar áttir ť eiða oft of svarða

   ok ár of nefnda, ť at sól inni suðrhöllu

   ok at Sigtýs bergi, ť hölkvi hvílbeðjar

   ok at hringi Ullar.

ť So be it with thee, Atli!

:as toward Gunnar thou hast held ť the oft-sworn oaths,

   formerly taken - ť by the southward verging sun,

   and by Sigtý’s hill, ť the secluded bed of rest,

   and by Ullr’s ring. — Thorpe's translation

Both Atlakviða and Grímnismál are often considered to be among the oldest extant Eddic poems. It may not be a coincidence that they're the only ones to refer to Ullr. Again we seem to find Ullr associated with some sort of ceremony, this time that of swearing an oath by a ring, a practice associated with Thor in later sources. During an excavation in 2007, of a Vendel era shrine for Ullr north of Stockholm, many symbolic rings were discovered and which are considered to represent Ullr's ring (see the archaeology section below). that are referred to in the eddic poem Atlakviða.

Rydberg's theories

In Viktor Rydberg's idiosyncratic Teutonic Mythology Ullr is the son of Sif and Egill-Örvandill, half-brother of Svipdagr-Óðr, nephew of Völundr and a cousin of Skaði. His father, Egill, was the greatest archer in the mythology, and Ullr follows in his father's footsteps. Ullr helped Svipdagr-Eiríkr rescue Freyja from the giants. He also ruled over the Vanir when they held Ásgarðr during the war between the Vanir and the Æsir.
While most of Rydberg's theories are dismissed as fanciful by modern scholars his idea that Ullr is connected with the elves of Völundarkviða isn't absurd. Both seem associated with skiing and hunting and since Ullr's father isn't identified as one of the Æsir he may have been of another race.

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