SIGURD

From the Old Nórdico name Sigurðr, which was derived from the elements sigr victory and varðr guardian. Sigurd was the hero of the Nórdico legend the Volsungasaga, which tells how his foster-father Regin sent him to recover a hoard of gold guarded by the dragon Fafnir. After slaying the dragon Sigurd tasted some of its blood, enabling him to understand the language of birds, who told him that Regin was planning to betray him. In a later adventure, Sigurd disguised himself as Gunnar (his wife Gudruns brother) and rescued the maiden Brynhildr from a ring of fire, with the result that Gunnar and Brynhildr were married. When the truth eventually came out, Brynhildr took revenge upon Sigurd. The stories of the Alemán hero Siegfried were in part based on him.

“SEE-gurd (Swedish)”