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The concept of a pair of divine twins is an archetype that was present in Proto-Indo-European religion that is manifest in nearly every branch of the IE family tree. Romulus and Remus of the Romans, Castor and Pollux of the Greeks, the Dieva dēli of the Latvians, the Ašvieniai of the Lithuanians, and the Vedic Ashvins.
When we look at the Germanic pantheon, however, we find not one set of twins, but three sets of brothers who are treated as respective pairs in the myths:
- Víđarr and Váli, the sons of Óđinn
- Móđi and Magni, the sons of Ţórr
- Baldr and Höđr
What I find fascinating about these Gods is that all three sets of brothers are survivors of Ragnarök. What do you guys think? Why do we have three sets of brothers as opposed to one set of twins like the other IE tribes? Why are the functions of our eschatological rather than generative (in opposition with Romulus and Remus)? Is it noteworthy that in the post-Ragnarök world is effectively ruled by these three sets of brothers?
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