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18.12.2019

Beyla

Beyla is one of Freyr's servants along with her husband, Byggvir, in Norse mythology. Beyla is mentioned in stanzas 55, 66, and the prose introduction to the Poetic Edda poem Lokasenna. Since this is the only mention of Beyla, scholars have turned to the etymology of Beyla's name for additional information about her. However, the meaning of her name is unclear and her name has been proposed as related to "cow," "bean," or "bee."

Lokasenna

In the prose introduction to Lokasenna, Beyla and Byggvir are cited as attending In stanza 55 of Lokasenna, after his verses with Sif, Loki accuses Beyla of being filthy but the reason for this is unclear.

Stanza 55:

Beyla is a figure from Norse mythology, known as one of Freyr's servants, alongside her husband Byggvir. References to Beyla can be found in stanzas 55, 66, and the prose introduction to the Poetic Edda poem Lokasenna. However, her mention is quite limited in the mythology, leading scholars to explore the etymology of her name for insights about her character. Nevertheless, the meaning of her name remains unclear, with various proposed connections to "cow," "bean," or "bee."

In the context of Lokasenna, specifically in stanza 55, Beyla is accused by Loki of being unclean, although the exact reason for this accusation is not provided.

Here's stanza 55 from Lokasenna along with Beyla's response:

Beyla said:

"The mountains shake,
and surely I think
From his home comes Hlorrithi now;
He will silence the man
who is slandering here
Together both gods and men."

This stanza reflects a moment in the poem where Beyla speaks up in response to Loki's slanderous accusations.

 

Beyla

Stanza 56:

Loci qvaþ:

«Þegi þv, Beyla!

þv ert Byggviss qven

oc meini blandin mioc;

okynian meira

coma meþ asa sonom,

a/ll ertv, deigia! dritin.»

Loki spake:

"Be silent, Beyla!

thou art Byggvir's wife,

And deep art thou steeped in sin;

A greater shame

to the gods came ne'er,

Befouled thou art with thy filth."

In relation to Loki's comments in Lokasenna, proposals have been made that Beyla and her husband are personifications of agriculture associated with Freyr: Beyla as the manure that softens the earth and develops the seed, Byggvir as the refuse of the mill, chaff.

Beyla

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