What is the name of Odin’s eight-legged horse in Norse mythology?

Sleipnir.

In Norse mythology, Odin’s horse is named Sleipnir. Sleipnir is not just any ordinary horse; he is an exceptional creature with eight legs, not six as sometimes mistakenly thought. This remarkable steed is known for being the fastest and most agile horse in all the realms, embodying attributes that make him stand out in the ancient myths of the Norse pantheon.

Sleipnir’s origins are as unique as his physical form. He is the offspring of the god Loki, who in one of his many shapeshifting adventures transformed into a mare. Loki became pregnant by the giant stallion Svaðilfari, who was owned by a giant that had tricked the gods into agreeing to build a fortress for them in return for the sun, the moon, and the goddess Freya if he could complete it by the first day of summer. To prevent this catastrophe, Loki devised a plan to distract Svaðilfari, which led to Sleipnir’s birth.

Being born from such magical and chaotic beginnings, Sleipnir inherited his ability to travel faster than any normal horse and could glide through the air and move across the sea just as easily as he could land. This made him the perfect mount for Odin, the chief of the Norse gods, who is often depicted riding Sleipnir on various missions, including those involving travel between the different worlds of the Norse cosmos. The eight legs of Sleipnir are often interpreted as a symbol of the directions of the compass, reinforcing his role as a master of all paths and an essential figure in the conveyance across mystical boundaries.