Syn is a goddess in Norse mythology. She is associated with refusal, particularly defensive refusal, such as refuting a suit in a court of law.
Attestations[]
In chapter 35 of the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning, High provides brief descriptions of 16 ásynjur. High lists Syn eleventh, and details that she "guards the doors of the hall and shuts them against those who are not to enter". High additionally states that Syn is "appointed in defense" at þings "in legal matters in which she wishes to refute" and that her name is connected to a saying where "a denial (syn) is made when one says no."[1]
In the Prose Edda book Skáldskaparmál, Syn is included among a list of 27 ásynjur names.[2] Syn also appears in two kennings used in works recorded in Skáldskaparmál: once for "Jǫtunn" ("hearth-stone-Syn") in Þórsdrápa by Eilífr Goðrúnarson, and for "woman" ("Syn [woman] of soft necklace-stand [neck]") in a work attributed to Steinar.[3]
Notes[]
References[]
- Faulkes, Anthony (Trans.) (1995). Snorri Sturluson: Edda. First published in 1987. London: Everyman. ISBN: 0-460-87616-3
- Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. ISBN: 0-304-34520-2
- Simek, Rudolf (2007) translated by Angela Hall. Dictionary of Northern Mythology. D.S. Brewer. ISBN: 0-85991-513-1