Laufey is a figure from Norse mythology, best known as the mother of Loki. Her family tree is small but significant: she is the wife of Fárbauti, the mother of Loki, and, in some sources, the mother of Loki’s siblings Helblindi and Býleistr. However, the details of her own lineage are not recorded in any surviving text, so her parents and any further ancestry are unknown.
Who Is Laufey in Norse Mythology?
Laufey appears in the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, and in skaldic poetry, almost always in the kenning “Laufey’s son” (Laufeyjar sonr) used for Loki. She is described as a giantess (jötunn), though the sources do not specify which giant family she belongs to. In the Gylfaginning section of the Prose Edda, Snorri Sturluson writes that Loki’s father is Fárbauti and his mother is Laufey, but he adds no further details about her. The name Laufey is often interpreted as “leaf island” or “leafy,” from lauf (leaf) and ey (island), but the meaning is not certain.
Laufey’s Husband and Children
Laufey’s husband is Fárbauti, a giant whose name means “dangerous striker” or “cruel striker.” Their union is unusual in that Loki is often called “Fárbauti’s son” as well, but the marriage itself is not described in any myth. The children attributed to Laufey and Fárbauti are:
- Loki – the trickster god, central to many myths.
- Helblindi – mentioned in the Poetic Edda (Völuspá and Hyndluljóð) as a brother of Loki, but no myths about him survive.
- Býleistr – also named as a brother of Loki in the same sources, with no further stories.
Some scholars have suggested that these brothers may be later inventions to give Loki siblings, but the texts treat them as real. Laufey is not said to have any other children.
Laufey in the Sources
Laufey appears in several key texts, though always in passing. In the Poetic Edda, the poem Lokasenna opens with Loki being referred to as “Laufey’s son” when he crashes a feast of the gods. In Hyndluljóð, a stanza lists Loki’s brothers as Býleistr and Helblindi. Snorri Sturluson, in the Prose Edda, repeats this family information in Gylfaginning and Skáldskaparmál. In skaldic poetry, poets used “Laufey’s son” as a standard kenning for Loki, which shows that the name was widely known. No text gives Laufey any dialogue, actions, or a role in any myth – she exists solely as a genealogical anchor for Loki.
Laufey’s Family in Later Adaptations
Modern adaptations, especially Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, have changed Laufey’s role. In Marvel, Laufey is a male Frost Giant king and Loki’s biological father, while Odin adopts Loki. This is a direct inversion of the Norse myth, where Laufey is Loki’s mother and Fárbauti is the father. The Marvel version has no basis in the original sources. In some modern retellings of Norse myth, authors have given Laufey a more active personality, but these are inventions. For anyone studying Norse mythology, the original sources remain the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, where Laufey is a background figure.
Common Misconceptions About Laufey
A frequent misconception is that Laufey is Loki’s father or that she is a goddess. In the myths, she is always a giantess, not an Æsir or Vanir. Another error is assuming that Loki’s children – Fenrir, Jörmungandr, and Hel – are also Laufey’s grandchildren in a meaningful way. They are, but Laufey is never mentioned in connection with them. Some readers also confuse Laufey with Sigyn, Loki’s wife, who is a separate figure. Finally, the name “Laufey” is sometimes anglicized as “Laufey” or “Laufey,” but the Old Norse spelling is Laufey.
How to Research Laufey’s Family Tree
If you want to trace Laufey’s family tree yourself, the best approach is to read the primary sources in translation. Start with the Poetic Edda, particularly the poems Völuspá, Lokasenna, and Hyndluljóð. Then read Snorri Sturluson’s Prose Edda, especially Gylfaginning. For scholarly commentary, look for books on Norse mythology by academics such as John Lindow or Rudolf Simek, but be aware that they will note the gaps in the evidence. Online resources like the University of Oslo’s Skaldic Project can help with skaldic kennings. The key point is that Laufey’s own parents are never named, so any family tree that shows them is speculative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Laufey’s parents?
No surviving Norse text names Laufey’s parents. Her ancestry is unknown, and any family tree that includes her parents is a modern invention.
Is Laufey a goddess?
No, Laufey is described as a giantess (jötunn). She is not counted among the gods in any source.
Did Laufey have any other children besides Loki?
Yes, the Poetic Edda names Helblindi and Býleistr as Loki’s brothers, and they are generally considered Laufey’s sons as well. No myths about them survive.
Why is Loki called “Laufey’s son” instead of “Fárbauti’s son”?
In Norse poetry, it was common to use matronymics (mother’s name) as well as patronymics. “Laufey’s son” was a convenient kenning because it fit the meter and distinguished Loki from other figures. It does not imply that Laufey was more important than Fárbauti.
Is Laufey the same as the Marvel character?
No. In Marvel, Laufey is a male Frost Giant king and Loki’s biological father. In Norse myth, Laufey is Loki’s mother and a giantess. The two are completely different.
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