Willy Pogany’s Sigurd mounted on Grani, chapter illustration in The Children of Odin
Pogany illustrates the mounted young Sigurd at the opening of Colum’s later retelling. The chapter names his selected horse as Grani, descended from Sleipnir’s breed. The braided mane, long fetlock hair and tack belong to this artistic representation; Grani is not given Sleipnir’s eight legs.
Overview
In Völsunga saga XIII, Sigurd chooses a horse with a mysterious old man’s guidance. They drive the herd into the deep river Busil-tarn; all but one swim back to land. Sigurd selects the remaining horse, a large, beautiful, young grey animal that has never been ridden. The old man identifies it as coming from Sleipnir’s kin and predicts its excellence, then disappears. The narrator identifies this adviser as Odin. Grani’s stated ancestry does not give him the eight feet separately attributed to Sleipnir.
After Fafnir’s death in chapter XIX, Sigurd loads two great chests of treasure onto Grani. The wealth appears sufficient to burden two or three horses, but Grani refuses to move until Sigurd mounts. He then travels as if unladen. Chapter XXVII makes that bond decisive at Brynhild’s fiery enclosure. Gunnar’s horse Goti refuses the fire, and borrowing Grani does not help: the horse will not go for Gunnar. Sigurd and Gunnar exchange appearances, and Grani carries Sigurd, disguised as Gunnar, through the flames and later back out. The horse’s cooperation depends on the rider’s identity rather than his visible appearance.
Origins & earliest records
Völsunga saga XIII, XIX and XXVII in Morris and Magnússon’s translation, hosted from the 1888 Walter Scott edition.
Records & interpretation
Three located saga episodes describe selection, treasure transport and the fiery crossing. The supernatural ancestry is explicit; eight-legged anatomy is not assigned to Grani.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
The Story of the Volsungs, XIII, XIX and XXVII
Separate selection, dragon-treasure and wedding-crossing episodes; no inference of Sleipnir’s limb count.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary historical translated literary narrativeMorris and Magnússon: Völsunga sagaResearch access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
Historical illustrationWilly Pogany’s Sigurd mounted on Grani, chapter illustration in The Children of Odin
Pogany illustrates the mounted young Sigurd at the opening of Colum’s later retelling. The chapter names his selected horse as Grani, descended from Sleipnir’s breed. The braided mane, long fetlock hair and tack belong to this artistic representation; Grani is not given Sleipnir’s eight legs.
