Home › Glossary › Letter S

Sif

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Thor’s wife, known for her golden hair, which Loki cut off as a prank.

Detailed Definition
Sif’s shorn hair was replaced by dwarven-crafted golden locks; she symbolizes fertility and earth. In poetry, she represents the violated yet restored natural order, and her hair becomes a kenning for grain or gold.
Example
Example in poetry:
Sif, Thor’s wife, famed for her golden hair; In Lokasenna, Loki shears her hair, prompting dwarven replacement; Poets use Sif to symbolize earth’s fertility (golden grain) and resilience; Her hair, crafted by dwarves, becomes a kenning for wheat fields; In kennings, “Sif’s tresses” mean gold or harvest; Contemporary eco-poetry uses her as emblem of regenerative nature.
Additional Notes
Sif, Thor’s wife, is famed for her golden hair—Loki’s theft and replacement with a dwarven-crafted wig leads to the creation of Mjölnir and other treasures—this prank catalyzes divine craftsmanship—poets may use Sif to explore beauty, restoration, or the generative power of transgression.
Also Known As
Sif the Golden-Haired
Skip to main content