Háva is the genitive form of hárr, meaning "high," often referring to the god Odin, who is known as the "High One" in Norse mythology. Mál translates to "speech" or "words."

Together they form Hávamál - 'The words of the High One.' Hávamál is my favourite of the Norse Myths, followed closely by the epic tale of Ragnarok. It's a compilation of lessons and wisdoms from Odin, interjected with some rich lore, written in the 1200s. This poem teaches timeless lessons on Hospitality, Worldly Wisdom and Personal Conduct, and many of these lessons are still widely applicable in todays world.

While there are some stanzas which are clearly a product of their time and thus outdated for modern values, there is still a lot to be gained by taking a deep dive into its wisdom.