In Norsereferring to the people and culture of Scandinavia: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland myth and legend, the warrior Sigurd was a member of the royal family of Denmark and a descendant of the god Odinin Norse mythology, one-eyed deity and ruler of the gods. He was raised by a blacksmith named Regin, who made him a special sword from pieces of a sword owned by Sigurd's father.

Sigurd used his sword to kill the dragon Fafnir and so acquire its golden treasure. When Sigurd roasted and ate the beast's heart, he was able to understand the language of the birds around him. They warned him that Regin was going to betray him, so Sigurd beheaded the blacksmith. Sigurd took the treasure and put a ring on his finger. He was unaware that the ring bore a curse, which brought misfortune to its wearer.