Byggvir is a figure in Norse mythology. The only surviving mention of Byggvir appears in the prose beginning of Lokasenna, and stanzas 55 through 56 of the same poem, where he is referred to as one of Freyr's servants and as the husband of Beyla.
Bygg is the Old Norse word for barley. Subsequently, Byggvir is often identified with this etymology of his name and connections have been placed with the mentioning of Byggvir's described involvement with mill-grinding as being potential references to barley processing. Comparisons to the Anglo-Saxon figure of Beowa (Old English "barley") have been put forth.
Lokasenna
In Lokasenna, Loki is depicted as degrading Byggvir for being of slight stature and as a gossiper:
Stanza 43:
Byggvir is a character from Norse mythology, primarily mentioned in the prose introduction and stanzas 55 through 56 of the Poetic Edda poem Lokasenna. He is described as one of the servants of Freyr and is mentioned as the husband of Beyla. The name Byggvir is closely related to the Old Norse word "bygg," which means barley. As a result, many scholars have associated Byggvir with barley, and his involvement in mill-grinding in some versions of the myth has been interpreted as a potential reference to the processing of barley. Some comparisons have also been drawn between Byggvir and the Anglo-Saxon figure Beowa, whose name means "barley" in Old English. In Lokasenna, Loki mocks Byggvir, commenting on his small stature and implying that he is a gossip. Here is stanza 43 with Byggvir's words: Byggvir said: "Had I birth so famous This passage portrays Byggvir defending himself against Loki's insults and expressing his willingness to stand up for himself and his status if he were as prominent as Freyr. |
Stanza 44:
Loci qvaþ: «Hvat er þat iþ litla, er ec þat la/ggra sec oc snapvist snapir; at eyrom Freys mvnðv e vera oc vnd kvernom klaca.» | Loki spake: "What little creature goes crawling there, Snuffling and snapping about? At Freyr's ears ever wilt thou be found, Or muttering hard at the mill." |
Stanza 45:
Beyggvir qvaþ: «Beyggvir ec heíti, enn mic braþan qveþa goð a/ll oc gvmar: þvi em ec her hroðvgr, at drecca Hroptz megir allir a/l saman.» | Byggvir spake: "Byggvir my name, and nimble am I, As gods and men do grant; And here am I proud that the children of Hropt Together all drink ale." |
Stanza 46:
Loci qvaþ: «Þegi þv, Byggvir! þv kvnnir aldregi deila meþ monnom mat; oc þic i fletz strá finna ne mattv, þa er vago verar.» | Loki spake: "Be silent, Byggvir! thou never couldst set Their shares of the meat for men; Hid in straw on the floor, they found thee not When heroes were fain to fight." |
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.