Also called Fafnir, Fafner.
Their story
Fáfnir was a son of Hreiðmarr, brother of Reginn and Otr. When the gods paid for killing Otr with Andvari's cursed gold, Fáfnir killed his father for it and lay on the hoard at Gnitaheiðr, turning into a dragon. Reginn urged his foster-son Sigurðr to kill him; Sigurðr dug a pit, stabbed Fáfnir from below, and after tasting his heart's blood understood the speech of birds, who warned him that Reginn meant to betray him.
Best times to give to them
- when reflecting on greed
- when learning to share
What they like being given
- something you have hoarded, given away
- honesty about what you cling to
How to honour them
- Clear out and give away things you hold on to only out of possessiveness.
- Reflect on how the tale turns greed into a dragon.
How they can help you
- releasing greed
- understanding curses of wealth
- generosity
Symbols
- a dragon on a gold hoard
- the helm of terror
- Andvari's cursed ring
- the heath Gnitaheiðr
In some sources Fáfnir and his family are dwarves; in others it is unclear.
Sources
- Poetic Edda, Fáfnismál
- Poetic Edda, Reginsmál
- Völsunga saga 13–20
- Prose Edda, Skáldskaparmál (the otter's ransom)