Gleipnir

Gleipnir is the binding that holds the mighty wolf Fenrisulfr in Norse Mythology. Even though it is as thin as a silken ribbon, it is stronger than any iron chain. It was forged by the dwarves in their underground realm of Svartálfaheim, and made of six wondrous ingredients:

• The sound of a cat's footfall
• The beard of a woman
• The roots of a mountain
• The sinews of a bear, generally thought to mean nerves or sensibilities
• The breath of a fish
• The spittle of a bird

Thus we no longer hear a cat's footfall, women have no beards, mountains have no roots, bears no sinews, fish no breath, and birds no spittle.

Gleipnir, having bound the Fenrisúlfur securely, was the cause of Týr's lost arm, for the Fenrisulfr bit it off when he was not freed. Gleipnir is said to hold until Ragnarök, when it (and its binding force) will break and Fenrir will devour Odin.

References

• Wikisource:Prose Edda/Gylfaginning (The Fooling Of Gylfe) by Sturluson, Snorri, 13th century Edda, in English. Accessed Apr. 16, 2007
• Gylfaginning in Old Norse[1] Accessed Apr. 16, 2007.