Ullr: Norse God Of Snow, Bows and Shields
In the story of Norse mythology, where gods and goddesses rule the skies and earth, there is one deity whose gifts control the magic of winter. Ullr is the magnificent god of snow, skiing, snowshoes, and hunting bows. The Vikings who lived through the cold, dark, snowy winters of Northern Europe needed a god who understood their challenges with nature.
Who was Ullr?
Depicted as a skilled hunter with a bow and arrow, Ullr served as the god of snow. His origins may go back hundreds of years before the Vikings, as his name holds connections to the 3rd century AD.
The myths tell us that Ullr was the son of Sif, a fertility goddess and the stepson of Thor. (To learn more about Thor, check out our Thor’s Hammer Craft or Yule Goat Craft). Interestingly, there is no record of a birth father. Does this mean Ullr didn’t have a dad? Or is it simply that this information is lost to time?
The Norse tales (or Sagas) call him by many titles including, God of the Snowshoe, God of the Bow, the Hunting-God and God of the Shield.
Ullr was a master of skiing and it wasn’t just for sport. In the snow-covered lands of Scandinavia, skiing provided an essential means of transportation. Gliding effortlessly through the snow, Ullr embodied the art of surviving and thriving in a cold and wintery world.
His skill in the snow was only matched by his power as a hunter with a bow. Known as a powerful archer, Ullr hit his targets with unmatched accuracy. Vikings might imagine the sound of the winter wind were Ullr’s arrows flying through the sky.
Myths of Ullr
While many place names in Norway and Sweden come from Ullr’s name and mean things like Ullr’s meadow or Ullr’s field, few myths and legends about the god survive.
We do know he acted as the ruler of Asgard when Odin was exiled. This is an interesting clue about the God of Snowshoe’s personality. He must have been both powerful and trustworthy to be given such an important role.
He was probably considered a rather trustworthy god since he needed to give control of Asgard back to Odin when he returned from exile. Other gods, especially someone like the trickster god Loki, could hardly be counted on to make wise decisions much less return power to Odin when he came home.
Now that you know more about the snow god, Ullr, let’s make a mini-bow and arrow craft.
Supplies:
- Popsicle Stick
- Ribbon
- Dental Floss
- Q-tips
- Jute Rope
- Old Sharpie Pen Cap
- Glitter (optional)
Quiver and Arrows:
- Cut off one end of the Q-tip, leaving the cotton on the other end. These will serve as your arrows.
- Take the cap of a Sharpie and wind some jute-rope around the top (you can hold it in place with a little dot of glue from your glue gun). Try the end of the rope to the bottom of the pen cap. The rope will be a sling for your quiver.
- If you want to decorate the quiver, dip the end in a little glue and then roll in glitter. If not, leave it plain.
Directions:
Bow:
- Cut two notches near the top and bottom of the popsicle stick. Make a few sticks in case you break one later in the process.
- Soak the stick in water for 1 hour to soften the wood. You can cut down on the time by microwaving a bowl of water for a minute and placing the stick in the hot water. The hot water will help the stick become pliable faster. If you use hot water, it should soak for about 15 minutes.
- Gently shape the stick into a crescent. Do not force it or the stick will break (this is why you might want a few backups).
- String the dental floss around the two ends of the stick at the notches you made. The notches will keep the string in place.
- You can leave your bow undecorated or you can glue some ribbon around the stick. This will also help avoid some getting splinters from the bow.
Want to Learn More About Ullr?
Check this article from the History Cooperative: