nine giant maidens
The eddic poem Völuspá hin skamma, or Völuspá the Less, found in Hyndluljóð, mentions nine giant maidens who bore a mighty son. This is possibly Heimdallr, who is said to have been the son of nine mothers.
- One there was born
- in the bygone days,
- Of the race of the gods,
- and great was his might;
- Nine giant women,
- at the world's edge,
- Once bore the man
- so mighty in arms.
- Gjolp there bore him,
- Greip there bore him,
- Eistla bore him,
- and Eyrgjafa,
- Ulfrun bore him,
- and Angeyja,
- Imth and Atla,
- and Jarnsaxa.
- Strong was he made
- with the strength of earth,
- With the ice-cold sea,
- and the blood of swine.
- — Bellows trans.
| - There was one born,
- in times of old,
- with wondrous might endowed,
- of origin divine:
- nine Jotun maids
- gave birth
- to the gracious god,
- at the world's margin.
- Gialp gave him birth,
- Greip gave him birth,
- Eistla gave him birth,
- and Angeia;
- Ulfrun gave him birth,
- and Eyrgiafa,
- Imd and Atla, and Jarnsaxa.
- The boy was nourished
- with the strength of earth,
- with the ice-cold sea,
- and with Son's blood.
- — Thorpe trans.
|
See Gjálp, Greip, Eistla, Eyrgjafa, Ulfrún, Angeyja, Imðr, Atla, and Járnsaxa.
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References
Sources
- Völuspá hin skamma, 7-9.
- Evans, Bergen. (1991). Dictionary of Mythology. New York: Dell Publishing.
