Snotra

In Norse mythology, Snotra is a goddess linked to wisdom. She is mentioned in the Prose Edda, a famous book from the 13th century written by Snorri Sturluson. Scholars have thought a lot about what her role and meaning might be.

Snotra also appears in an amusing story from the beginning of the Gautreks saga. In this tale, she is a human girl and the youngest daughter of a family of silly farmers. Her parents are named Skafnörtungr and Tötra, and she has three brothers named Fjolmod, Imsigull, and Gilling, as well as two sisters named Hjotra and Fjotra. One day, King Gauti of West Gotaland visits the family. He is the ancestor of the Geats and Goths, and in this story, Snotra becomes the mother of Gautrek with him.

Attestations

In the book Gylfaginning from the Prose Edda, a character named High talks about 16 goddesses. Snotra is mentioned as the thirteenth goddess, and she is described as wise and polite. After Snotra's name, people can also use the word snotr to describe someone wise. Snotra is also listed among other goddess names in another book called Skáldskaparmál from the Prose Edda. Besides these mentions, there isn't much more known about Snotra.

Reception

Some scholars think that the goddess Snotra might have been created by Snorri Sturluson when he wrote the Prose Edda. They believe he may have used the meaning of her name, "clever," to invent her story.

Another scholar suggests that Snotra, along with goddesses like Sága, Hlín, Sjöfn, Vár, and Vör, are protective figures. They each have different roles in private life but are similar to matrons, or wise women who watch over specific areas.