Blóðughófi
Freyr's horse in Norse mythology
In Nordic mythology, Blóðughófi (sometimes anglicised Blodughofi and meaning "Bloody Hoof" in Old Norse) is the horse of Freyr and is notable for his ability to pass safely through fire and darkness. He is attested in several þulur of horses.
Attestations
Kálfsvísa
In Kálfsvísa, Blóðughófi is named in a list of horses, where their rider is specified as the "Slayer of Beli", a name for Freyr:
Þorgrímsþula
In Þorgrímsþula, Blóðughófi is named among a list of horses:
Here, they are described as being ridden by "öflgan Atriða", sometimes interpreted as a name of Freyr; however, the closely related spelling Atriða is used as a named of Odin.
Anonymous þulur
In one of the anonymous þulur, Blóðughófi is named in a list of horses, as the variant, Blóðhófr (Blood-hoof):
Interpretation and discussion
In Skírnismál, Freyr gives Skírnir his horse, which is able to run through fire to reach Jötunheimar for the wooing of Gerðr; however, the horse here is not named.
The association between horses and Freyr is also seen in texts such as Hrafnkels saga, Vatnsdæla saga and Óláfs saga Tryggvasonar where horses are dedicated to the god; however, it has been noted that these sources are late and could be unreliable on this aspect.
Popular culture
The title of Gerður Kristný's Blóðhófnir (2010), a poetic retelling of the myth of Gerðr, Freyr, and Skírnir, is a variation on the name Blóðughófi.
See also
Skíðblaðnir – Freyr's ship that always finds a fair wind is large enough to carry all the gods and their armour, and folds up small enough to fit inside a pocket.
Gullinbursti – Freyr's glowing, golden-bristled boar that was crafted by dwarves and runs faster than any horse.
Loki – The cunning trickster who transformed into a mare to lure Svaðilfari away, ultimately giving birth to Sleipnir.
Svaðilfari – The colossal stallion of extraordinary strength and size who helped build Asgard's impenetrable walls and fathered Sleipnir.
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