Regin

Norse mythology

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Last updated

July 19, 2026

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In Norse mythology, Regin was a blacksmith and foster father to the hero Sigurd. Regin was the brother of the dragon Fafnir, who had killed their father, Hreithmar, to hoard a cursed treasure.1

Regin encouraged Sigurd to slay Fafnir. After Sigurd killed the dragon, Regin instructed him to cook Fafnir's heart. While doing so, Sigurd accidentally touched the heart and gained the ability to understand the language of birds. The birds revealed Regin's plan to kill Sigurd for the treasure, leading Sigurd to slay Regin instead. Sigurd is known as a hero in Norse mythology for slaying the dragon Fafnir.12

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Fafnir
…brother of Fafnir, the blacksmith Regin. Once Sigurd, under the advice of Odin, had killed Fafnir, Regin asked him to cook the dragon’s heart for him. Sigurd touched the heart as it was cooking to test if it was done and burned his thumb. He put his thumb into his…
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…brother of Fafnir, the blacksmith Regin. Once Sigurd, under the advice of Odin, had killed Fafnir, Regin asked him to cook the dragon’s heart for him. Sigurd touched the heart as it was cooking to test if it was done and burned his thumb. He put his thumb into his…
Read More