Iðunn
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Iðunn was, in Norse mythology, one of the goddesses. According to the Prose Edda she was the custodian of apples which allowed the Æsir to maintain their eternal youthfulness. She was the wife of Bragi, god of poetry.
As related in Haustlöng Iðunn was at one time abducted with her apples by the giant Þjazi, who used Loki as a stooge to lure Iðunn out of Ásgarðr. During her absence, the Æsir began to age without the rejuvenating qualities of her apples, prompting them to press Loki into the task of rescuing her. Borrowing Freyja's falcon skin, he retrieved Iðunn from Þrymheimr, transforming her into the form of a nut for the flight back. Þjazi, displeased, pursued them in the form of an eagle, but was defeated by having his wings set alight by a bonfire created by the Æsir.
[edit] Familiar forms
Iðunn's name is written in various languages as Idun, Idunn, Iduna, Idunna, Ithun or Ithunn.
[edit] Gallery
 Loki lures Iðunn away, by John Bauer. |
 Idun and the Apples (1890) by J. Doyle Penrose. |
 Bragi is shown with a harp and accompanied by his wife Iðunn in this 19th century painting by Nils Blommér. |
|
 The gods become old as they rue the loss of the apples, by Arthur Rackham |
 Brita as Iduna by Carl Larsson |
[edit] External links
- http://www.ugcs.caltech.edu/~cherryne/myth.cgi/Idun.html
- http://www.hurstwic.org/history/articles/mythology/myths/text/idun.htm
 |
Norse mythology |
|---|---|
| List of Norse gods | Æsir | Vanir | Giants | Elves | Dwarves | Valkyries | Einherjar | Norns | Odin | Thor | Freyr | Freyja | Loki | Balder | Tyr | Yggdrasil | Ginnungagap | Ragnarök | |
| Sources: Poetic Edda | Prose Edda | The Sagas | Volsung Cycle | Tyrfing Cycle | Rune stones | Old Norse language | Orthography | Later influence | |
| Society: Viking Age | Skald | Kenning | Blót | Seid | Numbers | |
| The nine worlds of Norse mythology | People, places and things |
