Járnviðr

"Iron wood." A wood situated east of Miðgarðr. It is the home of an ancient witch or giantess who bears many jötnar for sons, and all in shape of wolves; and they are the progenitors of wolves. One of these, the mightiest, is called Mánagarmr, and at the time of Ragnarök he shall fill himself with the life-blood of everyone who dies, and shall then swallow the heavenly bodies.

Járnviðr is mentioned in Völuspá and is further elaborated by Snorri Sturluson in Gylfaginning. Snorri further adds that the wood is inhabited by járnviðjur — giantesses or troll-wives.

References

Sources

  • Gylfaginning, 12,
  • Völuspá, 32.