Gullbrá and Menglöð

A deformation of the godess of love?

Abstract

The subject of this paper is basically two Icelandic place names, Gullbrárfoss and  Menglaðarfoss, and two associated folktales. The folktales concern two troll wives, Gullbrá and Menglöð, who live in the said waterfalls. The names Gullbrá and Menglöð are both beautiful Icelandic names, in full contrast with the trollish nature of the two females. The fact that Menglöð who is said to live in Menglaðarfoss carries one of Freyja’s names invites investigation. A further incitement to study is that the two Gullbrárfossar are both in the same area, which seems to indicate considerable importance of the unusual name Gullbrá. Both folktales indicate that Menglöð and Gullbrá had enjoyed a brighter existence some time in the distant past. Each of the names is studied per se and in the light of the respective folktales, leading to the conclusion that both names seem to fulfi ll the criterion of representing Freyja in the context of the place names and in that of the folktales. The fact that these presumed representatives of Freyja are depicted as trolls in the folktales indicates a deformation or even demonization of Freyja aft er the conversion to Christianity. The presence of Freyja in pre-Christian Iceland is discussed as well as the possible deformation or demonization of other heathen gods aft er the Conversion. The conclusion of the paper is that in all probability Gullbrá and Menglöð are Freyja in derogatory garb in the place names as well as the associated folktales.