Norse MythsNorse Heroes

Sigmund and the Sword in the Tree

A mysterious guest challenges a king’s hall to pull a divine sword from a living tree.

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Illustration for Sigmund and the Sword in the Tree - a norse heroes Norse Myths story with moral lessons

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Story Summary

Discover the legend of Sigmund and the Sword in the Tree, where a mysterious stranger’s gift tests the strength and fate of the noble Völsung clan in Norse myth.

In the high hall of King Völsung, a great wedding feast was held for his daughter Signy and the King of Götaland, Siggeir. As the fire crackled, a tall, one-eyed stranger wrapped in a hooded grey cloak entered the hall. He walked to the Barnstokkr, the massive oak tree supporting the roof, and plunged a gleaming sword deep into its trunk. 'He who draws this sword shall have it as a gift,' the stranger declared, ' and he shall find that he never held a better blade.' The man, who was Odin in disguise, then vanished. One by one, the noblemen and King Siggeir himself tried to pull the steel from the wood, but it remained unmoved. Finally, Völsung’s youngest son, Sigmund, stepped forward. With a single, effortless pull, the sword came free. Envious, Siggeir offered Sigmund thrice the sword’s weight in gold, but Sigmund refused, stating that the sword had chosen him. This refusal planted the seeds of a bitter feud that would define the tragic destiny of the Völsung lineage.

The Moral

True worth and destiny cannot be purchased with gold, and great gifts often carry the weight of great trials.

“He who draws this sword from the wood shall have it as a gift from me, and he shall find that he never held a better sword in his hand.”

Fun Fact

This story is part of the Völsunga saga, a 13th-century Icelandic prose narrative that heavily influenced J.R.R. Tolkien’s 'The Lord of the Rings,' particularly the concept of the reforged sword, Narsil.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of Sigmund and the Sword in the Tree?

The story teaches that destiny is a personal calling that cannot be bought or bartered. It also warns that possessing great power or divine gifts often invites envy and necessitates the strength to face ensuing hardships.

Who was the stranger who put the sword in the tree?

The mysterious visitor was Odin, the All-Father of Norse mythology. He appeared in his common disguise as a one-eyed wanderer to test the Völsung family and provide them with a weapon of divine origin.

What was the name of Sigmund's sword?

The sword is often associated with the name Gram. While it was first pulled from the Barnstokkr tree by Sigmund, it was later shattered and then reforged for his son, the hero Sigurd, to slay the dragon Fafnir.

Is this story the origin of the Sword in the Stone?

Many scholars believe that this Norse legend served as a primary inspiration for the Arthurian legend of Excalibur. The motif of a 'chosen' hero pulling a weapon from an immovable object is a classic Indo-European mythological theme.

Why did King Siggeir want the sword so badly?

Siggeir was motivated by both greed and a desire for the prestige associated with a divine weapon. When Sigmund mocked his offer of gold, Siggeir felt deeply humiliated, leading to his eventual betrayal of the Völsungs.

What happened to the sword after Sigmund pulled it out?

Sigmund used the sword in many battles until Odin himself shattered it against a spear in Sigmund's final fight. The shards were kept by Signy and eventually given to Sigurd to be reforged into an even greater blade.