#thjassi
One of the symbols used to represent Loki is that of two snakes, circling one another to form an ‘S’ shape, and biting the tail of the other (years of archaeological evidence; see Rundkvist below).
Loki is connected to the snake in a number of ways.
Jormungandr, the giant serpent of Loki’s offspring, is said to be so big that he/she can circle the world and bite his/her own tail (Gylfaginning 34), (Thorsdrapa 1).
In an older version of the myth about Idunn’s kidnapping by Thjassi, Loki turns into a snake at one point to wriggle into the room in which the potion of longevity (similar to Idunn and her apples) is being kept (Skaldskaparmal 5).
A snake was also used to punish Loki after the events of Lokasenna. Loki was tied down, and the snake was tied above Loki’s head, so that its venom dripped directly onto Loki (final prose section of Lokasenna).
Another notable serpent in Norse mythology is the Nidhogg, a being that feeds on the roots of the world tree Yggdrasil. However, Nidhogg is not directly associated with Loki in any significant manner (Grimnismal 32-35), (Gylfaginning 15).
Sources:
-Rundkvist, Martin. “Snake Brooches of South Scandinavia.” <http://www.academia.edu/313476>
-image used with permission from <http://aomiarmster.tumblr.com/post/27782533517>
-Gylfaginning, Prose Edda. <http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/pre/pre04.htm>
-Thorsdrapa, Prose Edda. <http://www.nordic-life.org/nmh/thoreng.html>
-Skaldskaparmal, Prose Edda. <http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/pre/pre05.htm>
-Lokasenna, Poetic Edda. <http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe10.htm>
-Grimnismal, Poetic Edda. <http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/poe/poe06.htm>
Thjassi, the Jotunn who had kidnapped Idunn, was killed by the Aesir while he was pursuing Loki, who had retrieved Idunn from his home. Hearing news of this, Thjassi’s daughter Skadi journeyed to Asgard. She demanded retribution for the death of her father, and threatened destruction if they did not appease her. Thjassi’s two brothers were just as mighty as he, and Skadi assured them that they would be happy to attack Asgard if the Aesir did not pay for Thjassi’s death.
The Aesir desired for peace, so they offered Skadi any amount of their gold. Skadi flatly refused, since she had more gold than all of Asgard could even comprehend. She demanded that the gods offer a more suitable gift, and because of her issue with the first offer, Skadi also demanded that they make her laugh. The gods were at a loss, when finally Loki came forward with an idea. They would give Skadi a husband from among them, and the results would be twofold; Skadi would be appeased, and she would also become an ally to Asgard. It was a brilliant plan, and the gods immediately offered Skadi a husband.
Skadi agreed readily, and announced that she chose Baldr, most handsome of all the Aesir and son of Odin. The gods quickly stipulated that this was not how her husband would be chosen. Each of the male gods was to stand behind a screen, and Skadi would choose her husband by his feet. If she chose Baldr’s feet, then the god would indeed be hers.
Skadi located the most beautiful feet among those assembled, assuming they belonged to Baldr, and declared that this was to be her husband. It was revealed that the feet belonged to the Vanir hostage Njordr, father of Freya and Freyr. Njordr was a god of the sea, and spent most of his time by the ocean. As a result, his feet were smooth and beautiful.
A wedding ceremony was held, and during the subsequent feast, Loki had a goat brought into the hall, along with a rope. One end of the rope was tied to the goat’s beard. Then Loki removed his clothes and tied the other end of the rope to his testicles. The goat proceeded to leap about, yanking Loki around the room howling in pain. Loki fell into Skadi’s lap, and Skadi laughed at his antics. Thus Loki had fulfilled the agreement to make Skadi laugh.
Odin also thrust Thjassi’s eyes into the sky, where they became two stars. Skadi was satisfied, because this was an honour to her father. Skadi gained status as one of the gods, and she was appealed to by those in Midgard as goddess of the hunt, for her skill with bow and arrow. She was also appealed to for help in winter with skis, sleighs, and snow shoes, and also with mountains.
The success in appeasing Skadi and gaining her as an ally was due mostly to Loki’s craftiness, and also his willingness to endure great pain for the benefit of Asgard.
