Page:Norse mythology or, the religion of our forefathers, containing all the myths of the Eddas, systematized and interpreted with an introduction, vocabulary and index.djvu/381

 of the veins. Thus he is like the fire, which is beneficent and necessary for development, but also dangerous and destructive. With the giantess Angerboda (producing sorrow) he begat the wolf Fenrer, but the most disgusting monster is the woman Hel, who is a daughter of Loke. Odin unites himself with the gigantic force in nature, but he does this to develop, ennoble and elevate it. Loke unites himself with crude matter, but by this union he only still further develops the evil principle, which then expresses itself in all kinds of terrible phenomena: the sea tosses its waves against heaven itself, and rushes out upon the land; the air trembles; then comes snow and howling winds; the rain splashes down upon the earth, etc. Such is also his influence upon the human mind. He is the sly, treacherous father of lies. In appearance he is beautiful and fair, but in his mind he is evil, and in his inclinations he is inconstant. Notwithstanding his being ranked among the gods, he is the slanderer of the gods, the grand contriver of deceit and fraud, the reproach of gods and men. Nobody renders him divine honors. He surpasses all mortals in the arts of perfidy and craft.

There is some dispute about the real meaning of Loke's name. Some derive it from the Icelandic lúka, to end, thus arguing that Loke is the end and consummation of divinity. Another definition is given, taken from the Icelandic logi (Anglo-Saxon lîg), according to which the primary meaning would be fire, flame. He is also called Loder, or Lopter (the aërial; compare Norse luft, Anglo-Saxon lyft, air); and this would seem to corroborate the definition of Loke as fire. Loder (lodern, to blaze) would then designate him in the character of the blazing earthly fire, and Lopter as the