Alvíss (Old Norse: [ˈɑlˌwiːsː]; "All-Wise") was a dwarf in Norse mythology.[1]

Alvíss puts a ring around the arm of Þrúðr, by Lorenz Frølich

In the "Alvíssmál" poem within the 12th century Poetic Edda, Thor's daughter, Þrúðr, was promised in marriage to Alvíss. Thor was unhappy with the match, however, so he devised a plan: Thor told Alvíss that, because of his small height, he had to prove his wisdom. Alvíss agreed, but Thor made his tests last until dawn, when Alviss, because he was a dwarf, was petrified on being exposed to the sunlight.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Lindow, John (October 1994). "Thor's 'Hamarr'". The Journal of English and Germanic Philology. 93 (4): 485–503. JSTOR 27711059.