By Mythologysleuth/Cyclone62
The Sleipnir is an 8 legged horse birthed by Loki, now currently owned by Odin. The name “Sleipnir” is from Loki's name possibly could mean “spider”, so that could explain why his son has eight legs.
Sleipnir as foal
This mythical eight-legged horse is from Norse mythology, most famously associated with the god Odin.
- Parentage: Sleipnir is the offspring of the trickster god Loki (in mare form) and the stallion Svaðilfari. This unusual origin makes Sleipnir Loki’s child, despite Loki typically presenting as male.
- Appearance: Sleipnir is typically depicted as gray, supernaturally fast, and able to travel between worlds, including Asgard, Midgard, and even the realm of the dead.
- Symbolism: As Odin’s steed, Sleipnir represents power, speed, and spiritual journeying. He’s sometimes seen as a shamanic symbol, with his eight legs possibly symbolizing the legs of a bier or connections to death and rebirth.
Sleipnir, the eight-legged horse of Norse mythology, moves with supernatural speed and stability, and its eight legs are often interpreted symbolically rather than strictly anatomically. Sleipnir is often described as having two extra legs on each side, so four legs on the left and four on the right. In mythic and artistic depictions, it uses a synchronized gait, where the extra legs move in harmony with the standard four, enhancing:
- Speed – It can run faster than any horse or creature, across land, air, sea, and even the realms of the dead.
- Stability – The extra legs provide perfect balance over any terrain.
Some interpretations show Sleipnir using four leg-pairs that move in a wave-like motion, like a centipede but more coordinated and elegant. This could allow it to gallop continuously without tiring. Sleipnir doesn’t just walk—he glides, gallops, and thunders across realms with an otherworldly rhythm. His eight legs don't hinder him—they make him the perfect steed of the gods, unmatched in grace and power.