NIBELUNGEN Meaning and
Definition
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The term "Nibelungen" refers to an ancient Germanic heroic saga known as the "Nibelungenlied" or "The Song of the Nibelungs." It is a medieval epic composed in the 13th century, believed to be based on earlier oral traditions and mythologies.
In this context, the Nibelungen refers to a legendary race of supernatural beings or dwarves inhabiting the Nibelung's land, a mythical kingdom usually associated with hidden treasures and immense wealth. They play a central role in the story as the possessors of a mythical treasure called the Nibelung hoard, which includes a powerful and magical ring. Their fate and interactions with human characters are integral to the plot and themes of the saga.
The Nibelungenlied tells the story of Siegfried, a brave warrior who acquires the Nibelung hoard but eventually faces betrayal and tragedy. It encompasses themes of love, loyalty, revenge, and the conflict between personal desires and societal expectations. The saga has had a significant impact on German and European literature, inspiring numerous adaptations, retellings, and artistic interpretations.
In a broader sense, the term "Nibelungen" is sometimes used to refer to the entire saga, including both the human and supernatural characters, the events, and the overall narrative. It signifies a complex and multifaceted world of myth, legend, and epic storytelling within Germanic folklore and literature.
Common Misspellings for NIBELUNGEN
- nibelung
- bibelungen
- mibelungen
- jibelungen
- hibelungen
- nubelungen
- njbelungen
- nkbelungen
- nobelungen
- n9belungen
- n8belungen
- nivelungen
- ninelungen
- nihelungen
- nigelungen
- nibwlungen
- nibslungen
- nibdlungen
- nibrlungen
- nib4lungen
Etymology of NIBELUNGEN
The word "Nibelungen" has its roots in Middle High German and Old Norse. It is derived from the Old Norse word "Nibelung" which means "son (or descendant) of the mist" or "son (or descendant) of the fog". In Old Norse mythology, the Nibelungs were a race of dwarfs who possessed a treasure hoard. The word was later adapted into Middle High German as "Nibelunge" and eventually became "Nibelungen" in modern German. It gained particular prominence through the epic poem "Nibelungenlied" ("The Song of the Nibelungs"), which became one of the most important medieval Germanic heroic poems.
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