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Draupnir

Draupnir is a golden ring in the possession of Odin, the ruling god of Norse Mythology. The ring was a source of endless wealth, since each ninth morning it had spawned eight more gold rings just like itself (but without the spawning ability). Draupnir was forged by the dwarf Eitri, brother of Brokk. Its name means, The Dropper, in English. Alternatively, it was given to Odin by King Alberich.

The ring was placed by Odin on the funeral pyre of his son Baldur:

Odin laid upon the pyre the gold ring called Draupnir; this quality attended it: that every ninth night there fell from it eight gold rings of equal weight. (from the Gylfaginning).

The ring was subsequently retrieved (presumably by Freyr) and offered as a gift by Freyr's servant Skirni in the wooing of Gerdur Gymisdottir, which is described in the poem Skirnismal

Draupnir is also the name of a dwarf, mentioned in the Voluspa, the prophecy of the seeress given to Odin.

-- other languages -- Dutch: 'Draupnir' is 'Druiper' or 'Druppelaar'



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