Norse Mythology

The Mighty Gods of the Vikings...

YMIR

Norse fabulous creature

Also known as Aurgelmir

Picture of the Norse fabulous creature Ymir from our Norse mythology image library. Illustration by Chas Saunders.

Primordial Frost Giant who was recycled into planet earth

The first of the Frost Giants, formed from the dripping drops of icy Chaos in Niflheim at the beginning of the world.

While he slept, strange things happened. First of all, a mysterious Muspellheim fire appeared nearby and he started to perspire. The first man and woman were formed from the sweat between his arms — and we understand they were particularly keen to get out of his armpit at that point.

Second, his legs gave birth to a son. We know not how. We only report the facts.

And third, a giant cow called Auðumla appeared out of the ice offering a selection of delicious sorbets.

Shortly after that, Buri — the first God — was born. The rest is history. Ymir was viciously slaughtered by his grandson Odin and his gigantic body was broken up for scrap. His blood became the sea, his bones became the mountains and his eyebrows became Midgard, the world of men. Fear not — nothing went to waste.

Incidentally, the clouds in the sky were made from his brains, a notion we’re rather fond of. When you look upwards, you’re seeing his passing thoughts.

Ymir Facts and Figures

Name: Ymir
Pronunciation: Coming soon
Alternative names: Aurgelmir

Gender: Male
Type: fabulous creature
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present

Role: Unknown at present

Good/Evil Rating: Unknown at present
Popularity index: 10282

Copy this link to share with anyone:



Share this page on social media:


Link to this page:

HTML: To link to this page, just copy and paste the link below into your blog, web page or email.

BBCODE: To link to this page in a forum post or comment box, just copy and paste the link code below:

Cite this article

Here's the info you need to cite this page. Just copy the text in the box below.


Article last revised on September 22, 2018 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

Permissions page


Oh woe. Javascript is switched off in your browser.
Some bits of this website may not work unless you switch it on.