Nótt

"Night." The night personified, begotten by Nörfi (Nör). She is attested in Vafþrúðnismál and in Alvíssmál.

In Gylfaginning, Snorri Sturluson describes her as "swarthy and dark, as befitted her race" (the race of giants). Nótt had three marriages. The first was to a man named Naglfari and they had a son, Auðr. Afterwards she was wedded to a certain Annar, by whom she is the mother of Jörð, the earth personified. Her third and final marriage was with Dellingr, whom Snorri reckons among of the Æsir, and their son was Dagr, the day personified.

Odin set Nótt and Dagr in two chariots, to ride around the earth bringing night and day. Nótt rides before with the horse called Hrímfaxi.

The eddic poem Alvíssmál contains a number of kennings for the night:

"'Night' men call it, 'Darkness' gods name it, 'The Hood' the holy ones high; The giants 'The Lightless,' the elves 'Sleep's joy' The dwarfs 'The Weaver of Dreams.'" — Bellows trans.

Nott it is called by men, but by the gods niol; the wide-ruling powers call it grima, the Jötuns olios the Alfar svefngaman; the Dwarfs call it draumniörunn. — Thorpe trans.

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