Sigurd's Cross Jurby
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| Sigurd's Cross. Jurby |
This cross depicts a central incident from the legend of the great hero, Sigurd. In his quest for the gold of Hreidmar, Sigurd has to overcome Hreidmar’s son. the dragon Fafnir.
Odin advises Sigurd to dig pits to catch the dragon’s blood, and to hide in one of them until Fafnir passes overhead. Then Sigurd strikes upward with his magic sword, Gram, and kills Fafnir.
Sigurd’s companion and mentor, Regin the Smith, is also brother to Fafnir, and secretly desires Sigurd’s death. He advises Sigurd to roast and eat the heart of Fafnir. In the process, the young hero burns his fingers and licking them, tastes the blood of the dragon. Immediately he is able to understand the language of birds, one of which tells him of Regin’s plan to kill him and seize the gold.