In the Icelandic Eddas Surtur (Old Norse Surtr) is the leader of the fire giants in the south, the ruler of Muspel, the realm of fire. His name means "Swart" or Black, and at the end of the world, his hordes will rush north like a south wind to overwhelm the gods. For Edda great-grandmother as the ancestress of serfs see Ríg. ... This is the approximate extent of Old Norse and related languages in the early 10th century. ... Muspelheim (Flameland), also called Muspel, is the realm of fire in Norse Mythology. ...

In Wagner's opera Götterdämmerung (1876), Surtur was married to Sinmore. She is, however, an invention of Wagner - and not found elsewhere in Norse Mythology. In Snorri Sturluson's Edda (1179-1241): "Surtur is the one so named who stands on Múspell's border, guarding the land. His sword is flaming and as the world ends he will go out, make war against and triumph over the gods. And he will burn the whole world with fire" (Gimlé Gylfaginning, iv). Only Hodmimir's Forest will remain, because that is the only thing his sword can not destroy. He will kill the unarmed god Freyr as well. Richard Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813 in Leipzig – February 13, 1883 in Venice) was an influential German composer, conductor, music theorist, and essayist, primarily known for his groundbreaking symphonic-operas (or music dramas). His compositions are notable for their continuous contrapuntal texture, rich harmonies and orchestration, and elaborate... Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods – see Notes) is the last of the four operas that comprise Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung), by Richard Wagner. ... In Norse mythology, Sinmore was the wife of Surt and queen of Muspelheim. ... Snorri Sturluson (1178 â€“ September 23, 1241) was an Icelandic historian, poet and politician. ... In Norse mythology, Hodmimirs Forest was the only place on Earth that Surturs sword was unable to destroy. ... Freyr is a very important god in Old Norse religion; not so much in Norse mythology as one might suppose, for there he actually appears in only one surviving story, but very much in the cult. ...

The familiar version of this mythological holocaust is the last scene of Richard Wagner's opera 'Götterdämmerung' ('Twilight of the Gods'). Richard Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner (May 22, 1813 in Leipzig – February 13, 1883 in Venice) was an influential German composer, conductor, music theorist, and essayist, primarily known for his groundbreaking symphonic-operas (or music dramas). His compositions are notable for their continuous contrapuntal texture, rich harmonies and orchestration, and elaborate... Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods – see Notes) is the last of the four operas that comprise Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung), by Richard Wagner. ...

Surtsey is a new volcanic island that surfaced off the south coast of Iceland in 1963. Its name in Icelandic means 'Surt's Island.' Surtsey, three days after the onset of the eruption Surtsey (Icelandic: Surturs island) is a volcanic island off the southern coast of Iceland. ...

In the final battle, Surtur and his Fire-Giants burst forth: "In Surtur's grasp the Sword of Revenge blazes, adding a blood red colour to the twilight of the whole world."

At the end of the gods and the world, as it is said in Völuspá:

Surtur from the south

wielding fire

The gods' swords shine in the darkness,

like stars in the night

Mountains collapse into rubble

And fiends shall fall

Man walks the road to ruin

as the sky splits in two

Other names

• Surtr, Surt

External links

• Gimlé Gylfaginning text.