Heimdallr's poetic designations illuminate his function as guardian at Bifröst, his sight and hearing that reach farthest of all the gods, his white appearance, and his ownership of Gjallarhorn.
Hvernig skal kenna Heimdall? Svá at kalla hann son níu mœðra, varðveitanda guðanna, hvíta ásin, eiganda Gjallarhörns ok Gulltopps, Vindlér, frænda Ásanna, Loka mótstöðumann. Hann er kallaðr hvítastr ása. Hann þarf lítt svefns. Hann sér jafnt um nótt sem um dag.
How shall one name Heimdallr? By calling him son of nine mothers, guardian of the gods, the white god, owner of Gjallarhorn and Gulltoppr, Vindlér, kinsman of the Æsir, Loki's adversary. He is called the whitest of the Æsir. He needs little sleep. He sees as well by night as by day.
Hann stendr við himins enda ok gætir Bifrastar. Hann heyrir gras vaxa á jörðu ok ull á sauðum ok allt þat er hljóðara er en þat. Hann á horn þat er Gjallarhorn heitir, ok heyrisk blást þess um alla heima. Hann á hest þann er Gulltoppr heitir.
He stands at heaven's edge and guards Bifröst. He hears grass grow on the ground and wool on sheep, and everything quieter than that. He owns the horn called Gjallarhorn, and its sound is heard throughout all the worlds. He owns the horse called Gulltoppr.
Skaldic quotations
Úlfr Uggason: Húsdrápa 2
Heimdall, þanns eru heiðar vörðr, kveður hljóð við himins enda.
Heimdallr, who is the bright guardian of the sky, sounds his call at heaven's edge.