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0As if the apocalypse wasn’t bad enough, the Norse gods also had to put up with this damned rooster popping off just to let them know what was headed their way. I’d invite the giants and monsters in at that point just to get the thing to shut up, too.
What is there to say about this rather obscure bit of Norse Mythology? Not much, apparently, as Gullinkambi is only attested to once (as far as I know) in the Poetic Edda. The concept of a bird shrieking at gods to alert them to the end of the world is rather funny if you ask me and if I had my way I’d somehow write only comics about birds of his caliber until the end of my days. Alas, it is not meant to be. Perhaps this noble (and obnoxious) bird will make a return someday in the strip, but only time will tell.
For those of you wondering if I made this stupid bird up, please direct your attention to this passage from the Poetic Edda poem, Voluspa, translated by Henry Adams Bellows:
Then to the gods crowed Gollinkambi,
He wakes the heroes in Othin’s hall;
And beneath the earth does another crow,
The rust-red bird at the bars of Hel.
The best part is that there is not one, but THREE of these birds just waiting for the right moment to let loose. I guess they just really wanted to make sure that everyone knew Ragnarok was upon them. As if dragons and wolves devouring people during an endless winter weren’t enough of a clue. But hey, that’s Norse myth. They apparently love to add random animals doing strange things with very little explanation as to why. I’m sure we’ll get to some more of that in the future.
Hope you’re all still enjoying regular updates! That’s 4 in a row and all on time!
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I shall give this name to my next pet chicken
Hey! I’m glad you’re back! This comic is hilarious.
Hey! Just wanted to let you know I’m glad you’re making these comics regularly again! I found your comic last January and I’m happy to see new updates. Thanks a bunch for your hard work! Happle Tea is thoroughly funny and interesting.
Welcome back! I’ve felt that creativity block myself in the past and I’ve never held it against you. After all, I am enjoying a free service. Take your time, do what works for you, and I’ll continue enjoying this comic! It’s taught me a lot about many different cultures in a fun way that many school-type classes have failed to do.
This reminds me of the vir triumphalis, a Roman ceremony honoring particularly successful military commanders.
As I understand it, the individual in question was temporarily exalted above all other Romans, almost to a divine degree. Supposedly, they’d be accompanied by a slave during all this who would periodically remind them that they are mortal and will die.
Maybe the rooster had a similar function? To keep the gods from getting too full of themselves by reminding them that even they must die.
As a memento mori the bird comes a bit too late me thinks, to crow only at the end of days. The concept requires you to be reminded of death during life, not on your deathbed.
Nice tidbit about Romans though. I’m guessing the emperors weren’t required to have such a reminder. Shame. Perhaps there would have been more sane emperors if they were regularly reminded that their poo stinks as well.
You’re back!! I was starting to worry.
So happy to see some updates! Sorry that you were unwell and suffering writers block, but I’m happy to see you’ve overcome it and have made a few comics!