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Gleipnir

Gleipnir is a magical binding in Norse mythology used by the gods to restrain the wolf Fenrir.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Gleipnir is a magical binding in Norse mythology used by the gods to restrain the wolf Fenrir. Described as deceptively thin and soft, it is stronger than ordinary chains and is destined to hold Fenrir until Ragnarök. The binding appears in modern fantasy, comics, games, and anime that draw on Norse mythology, which is familiar to Canadian readers through popular culture and literature.

Mythological role

Gleipnir appears in the Fenrir myth as the final and successful restraint placed on the wolf by the gods. It is central to the story of how divine order temporarily contains chaos. The gods used Gleipnir after earlier chains failed to hold Fenrir.

Creation and ingredients

The binding is said to have been forged from six impossible materials, emphasizing its magical nature and deceptive appearance. This list is preserved in later retellings of the myth, especially the *Prose Edda* tradition. The six items are: a cat's footfall, a woman's beard, mountain roots, fish breath, bird spittle, and bear sinews.

Fenrir and Týr

The gods lured Fenrir into allowing the binding to be placed on him, with Týr offering his hand as a pledge of good faith. When Fenrir could not break free, he bit off Týr's hand.

Ragnarök connection

Gleipnir is not a permanent prison in the mythic cycle. It is said to hold Fenrir only until Ragnarök, when the wolf will break loose and kill Odin.

Key facts

  • Gleipnir is the binding used to imprison the wolf Fenrir in Norse myth.
  • The binding is made from six impossible things: a cat's footfall, a woman's beard, mountain roots, fish breath, bird spittle, and bear sinews.
  • Týr lost his hand when Fenrir bit it off during the binding.
  • Gleipnir holds Fenrir only until Ragnarök, when he is foretold to break free.
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Canadian context

Gleipnir appears in fantasy, comics, games, and anime that draw on Norse mythology, which is widely familiar to Canadian readers through popular culture and literature.

Frequently asked questions

What is Gleipnir?
Gleipnir is a magical binding in Norse mythology used to restrain the wolf Fenrir.
Who made Gleipnir?
Sources differ: some say the dwarves or sons of Ivaldi made it, while others frame it as a divine craft in later retellings.
What was Gleipnir made from?
It was made from six impossible things: a cat's footfall, a woman's beard, mountain roots, fish breath, bird spittle, and bear sinews.
Why is Gleipnir important?
It is the binding that successfully holds Fenrir, one of the key figures in the Ragnarök cycle.
What happened to Týr?
Týr lost his hand when Fenrir bit it off after realizing the gods had trapped him.
Does Gleipnir last forever?
No. In the myth, it holds Fenrir until Ragnarök, when he is foretold to break free.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleipnir
    Supports: Overview of Gleipnir as the binding that holds Fenrir, its naming, and its role until Ragnarök.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Gleipnir/311435
    Supports: Summary of Gleipnir as the magical cord used to shackle Fenrir and the account of its creation.
  3. Encyclopedia Mythica — https://pantheon.org/articles/g/gleipnir.html
    Supports: Description of Gleipnir, its materials, and its role in binding Fenrir until Ragnarök.
  4. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleipnir
    Supports: Accessible retelling of the Fenrir binding myth, including the failed earlier chains and Týr's injury.
  5. German Wikipedia — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleipnir
    Supports: Identification of Gleipnir as a magical thread/fetter in Norse mythology used to chain Fenrir.