Gjallarbru

Norwegian Nynorsk

Alternative forms

• Gjaddarbru, Gjeddarbru, Gjeddarbro, Gjæddarbro
• Gjalarbro, Gjallarbro
• Jedarbro, Jeddarbro, Jæddarbro
• Haddanbru

Etymology

Inherited from Old Norse Gjallarbrú, from Gjǫll (“mythic river”) +‎ brú (“brigde”). Compare Swedish Gillebro and Danish Gældebro.

Proper noun

Gjallarbru f (definite Gjallarbrua)

1. (folklore, Christianity) a legendary bridge through which the souls of humans go after death, mentioned in the Norwegian ballade “Draumkvedet”
   • 184x, M.B. Landstad, Draumkvedet:

     Eg hev gengid Gjallarbrui,
     Hon er ekki god at gange,
     Bikkja bit og ormen sting
     Og stuten stend og stangar

     I went on the Gjallarbru-bridge,
     It isn't good to walk on
     The dog bites and the snake stings
     And the ox stands and butts

2. (Norse mythology) Gjallarbrú (a bridge on the way from Hel)

Usage notes

After the Christianisation of Norway, the name survived in a Christian context where it remained as the bridge to the death realm.

See also

• As-Sirat
• Brig of Dread
• Chinvat Bridge
• Kalinov Most