Jón Egill Eþórsson. The Myth of Yi the Archer & the Allegory of Njals Saga

• Author: Jón Egill Eþórsson
• Title: The Myth of Yi the Archer & the Allegory of Njáls Saga
• Published in: Bachelor’s Thesis from the Faculty of Arts of Shinshuu University
• Place, Publisher: Japan, Shinshuu University
• Year: 1995
• Pages: 1-50
• E-text:
• Reference: Jón Egill Eyþórsson “The Myths of Yi the Archer & the Allegory of Njáls Saga.” Bachelor’s Thesis. Japan: Shinshuu University, 1995.

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• Key words:

mythology, Yi the Archer, Einar Pálsson

Annotation

Jón compares certain aspects of Chinese mythology with both Norse mythology and with Njáls Saga. Pulling heavily from the work of Einar Pálsson, especially the ten-volume RÍM, or Rætur Íslenskrar Menningar. Jón describes the use of numerology and allegory in both mythological contexts. Yi the Archer, in the Chinese traditions, is a demi-god sent to earth to rid the world of certain menaces. His connection to a bow mirrors Gunnar’s choice of weapon. Both men are betrayed by their wives and subsequently meet their deaths. Jón connects between the two stories, tying it to Norse mythology and explains that the characters in the saga represent the gods in an ancient echo of death and rebirth that can be found throughout the mythology of many cultures.

Lýsing

Texta vantar

References

Chapter 77: Líf mitt liggur við: “The mythological Yi was betrayed by his wife, Chang-E, and the quasi-historical Yi too was betrayed by his wife, Chun- Hu. And Gunnar the Sun-god was indeed betrayed by his wife, Hallgerð the Moon-goddess, who furthermore was said to be a thief, like Chang- E.” (p. 49)

Links

• Written by: Zachary Melton
• Icelandic/English translation: