Nov
A Thought Of Bridges
Yesterday’s subject was the Gyfu Rune. One of the aspects of Gyfu involves bridges. Just as a gift connects giver and receiver, so a bridge connect one place with another. Crossing a bridge is like being the gift that goes from one to the other.
In ancient times when travel was hard, bridges were a welcome thing. A bridge made a safe and easy passage where the passing used to be difficult, if not impossible. A bridge symbolizes the realm of possibilities as opposed to the quagmire of obstacles. The man who built a bridge gained much honor. He gave a gift that was a true benefit to all who used it. If you have ever seen the roads along Norway’s coast, you can appreciate the value of bridges.
The bridge is a common feature in myth, legend and folklore. There is a tradition of casting offerings from the center of a bridge to the water below. The most common version is a coin. A good symbolic offering is nine copper coins. The belief is that the place which a bridge traverses is itself special.
One of my favorite tales is the one of the Three Billy Goats Gruff. Under their bridge is dangerous a troll. The goats trick the troll. Finally, the largest goat comes along and batters the troll to pieces. It is an amusing children’s tale with a deeper message. (You can read of the messages within that tale here:
http://www.thortrains.com/utmo/folktrolla07.htm )
A bridge is also a place of challenge. The hero must meet a challenge before he is allowed to cross. Among popular versions is the story of Robin Hood’s introduction to Little John. Their first meeting ends in a fight on a log bridge. In the Arthurian legend, Sir Gareth fights three knights, each of whom guards a bridge over a moat. A well-known Roman legend is the story of Horatio guarding the bridge. In the Norse lore, the Bifrost bridge is a rainbow connecting Midgard to Asgard. Bifrost is guarded by Heimdall, the vigilant God. Indeed, Heimdall is the patron of bridges and crossings. (You can read more on Horatio here: http://www.thortrains.com/utmo/j08horat.htm )
The bridge is a special place. It provides a safe crossing where otherwise there would be no crossing a tall. Bridges often appear in folklore and myth. They provide a special location in which a story can unfold. A bridge is a link, a passage, a connection and a medium through which one goes from one situation to another. Think about it the next time you cross one! A bridge is more then just a piece of scenery.
