Editing Sif (section)

== Attestations ==

=== Poetic Edda ===

In stanza 48 of the ''Poetic Edda'' poem ''[[Hárbarðsljóð]]'', [[List of names of Odin|Hárbarðr]] ([[Odin]], father of Thor, in disguise) meets [[Thor]] at an [[inlet]] of a gulf. The two engage in [[flyting]], and Hárbarðr refuses to [[ferry]] Thor across the bay. Among numerous other insults, Hárbarðr claims that Sif has a lover at home. In response, Thor says that Hárbarðr is speaking carelessly "of what seems worst to me" and also lying.<ref name=LARRINGTON75>Larrington (1999:75–76).</ref>

[[File:Lokasenna by Lorenz Frølich.jpg|thumb|''Lokasenna'' (1895) by [[Lorenz Frølich]]]]

In stanzas 53 and 54 of the poem ''[[Lokasenna]]'', after pouring Loki a crystal cup of [[mead]] during his series of insults towards the gods, Sif states that there is nothing Loki can say only in regard to her. In response, [[Loki]] claims that Sif has had an affair with him:

{{poemquote|
''Then Sif went forward and poured out mead for Loki into a crystal cup and said:''
:Welcome now, Loki, and take the crystal cup
:full of ancient mead,
:you should admit, that of the children of the [[Æsir]],
:that I alone am blameless.

''He took the horn and drank it down:''
:That indeed you would be, if you were so,
:if you were shy and fierce towards men;
:I alone know, as I think I do now,
:your lover beside Thor,
:and that was the wicked Loki.<ref name=LARRINGTON93>Larrington (1999:93).</ref>
}}

Sif does not respond, and the exchange turns to [[Beyla]].<ref name=LARRINGTON94>Larrington (1999:94).</ref> Sif is additionally mentioned in two kennings found in poems collected in the ''Poetic Edda''; ''[[Hymiskviða]]'' (where Thor is referred to as the "Husband of Sif" thrice<ref name=LARRINGTON78-80-82>Larrington (1999:78, 80, and 82.).</ref>), and ''[[Þrymskviða]]'' (where Thor is once referred to as "Husband of Sif"<ref name=LARRINGTON100>Larrington (1999:100).</ref>).

=== Prose Edda ===

[[File:How loki wrought mischief in Asgard by Willy Pogany.png|thumb|''How Loki wrought mischief on Asgard'' (1920) by [[Willy Pogany]]]]

[[File:The third gift — an enormous hammer by Elmer Boyd Smith.jpg|thumb|upright|''The third gift&nbsp;– an enormous hammer'' (1902) by [[Elmer Boyd Smith]]. The bottom right corner depicts the ship [[Skíðblaðnir]] "afloat" Sif's new hair.]]

In the ''Prose Edda'', Sif is mentioned once in the [[Prologue (Prose Edda)|Prologue]], in chapter 31 of ''[[Gylfaginning]]'', and in ''[[Skáldskaparmál]]'' as a guest at [[Ægir]]'s feast, the subject of a jötunn's desire, as having her hair shorn by Loki, and in various kennings.

Sif is introduced in chapter three of the [[Prologue (Prose Edda)|Prologue section]] of the ''Prose Edda''; Snorri's [[Euhemerism|euhemerized]] account of the origins of [[Norse mythology]]. Snorri states that Thor married Sif, and that she is known as "a prophetess called [[Sibyl]], though we know her as Sif".<ref name="BYOCK6">{{harvcoltxt|Byock|2006|p=6}}</ref> Sif is further described as "the loveliest of women" and with hair of gold.<ref name="BYOCK6"/> Although he lists her own ancestors as unknown, Snorri writes that Thor and Sif produced a son by the name of [[Lóriði]], who "took after his father".<ref name=FAULKES3>{{harvcoltxt|Faulkes|1995|p=3}}</ref>

In chapter 31 of the ''Prose Edda'' book ''Gylfaginning'', Ullr is referred to as a son of Sif and a stepson of Thor (though his father is not mentioned):

{{blockquote|Ull is the name of one. The son of Sif, he is the stepson of Thor. He is so skillful a bowman and skier that no one can compete with him. He is beautiful to look at, and is an accomplished warrior. He is also a good person to pray to when in single combat.<ref name=BYOCK38>{{harvcoltxt|Byock|2006|p=38}}</ref>}}

As reported in the ''Prose Edda'' book ''Skáldskaparmál'', Thor once engages in a duel with [[Hrungnir]], there described as the strongest of the [[jötunn|jötnar]]. Prior to this, Hrungnir had been drunkenly boasting of his desire to, amongst other things, kill all of the gods except [[Freyja]] and Sif, whom he wanted to take home with him. However, at the duel, Hrungnir is quickly killed by the enraged Thor.<ref name=FAULKES77-79>{{harvcoltxt|Faulkes|1995|pp=77–79}}</ref>

Further in ''Skáldskaparmál'', Snorri relates a story where Loki cuts off Sif's hair as a prank. When Thor discovers this, he grabs hold of Loki, resulting in Loki swearing to have a headpiece made of gold to replace Sif's locks. Loki fulfills this promise by having a headpiece made by [[Dwarf (Germanic mythology)|dwarfs]], the [[Sons of Ivaldi]]. Along with the headpiece, the dwarfs produced Odin's spear, [[Gungnir]]. As the story progresses, the incident leads to the creation of the ship [[Skíðblaðnir]] and the boar [[Gullinbursti]] for [[Freyr]], the multiplying ring [[Draupnir]] for Odin, and the mighty hammer [[Mjöllnir]] for Thor.<ref name=FAULKES96-97>{{harvcoltxt|Faulkes|1995|pp=96–97}}</ref>

Sif also appears in ''Skáldskaparmál'' listed as a [[heiti]] for "earth",<ref name=FAULKES160>{{harvcoltxt|Faulkes|1995|p=163}}</ref> appears in a kenning for a gold-keeping woman,<ref name=FAULKES115>{{harvcoltxt|Faulkes|1995|p=115}}</ref> and once for [[Hildr]].<ref name=FAULKES123>{{harvcoltxt|Faulkes|1995|p=123}}</ref> Poetic means of referring to Sif calling her "wife of Thor", "mother of Ullr", "the fair-haired deity", "rival of [[Járnsaxa]]", and as "mother of Þrúðr".<ref name=FAULKES86>{{harvcoltxt|Faulkes|1995|p=86}}</ref>

=== Swedish folklore ===

19th-century scholar [[Jacob Grimm]] records that in his time residents of [[Värmland]], [[Sweden]] "call[ed] Thor's wife ''godmor'', good mother."<ref name=GRIMM1364>Grimm (1888:1364).</ref>