The Norse Creation Story, From Snorri Sturlson’s Prose Edda

2. King Gylfi was a wise man and skilled in magic; he was much troubled that the Æsir-people were so cunning that all things went according to their will. He set out on his way to Asgard, going secretly, and disguised himself in the likeness of an old man. But the Æsir were wiser in this matter, having second sight; and they saw his journeying before ever he came, and prepared deceptions against him. When he came into the town, he saw there a hall so high that he could not easily make out the top of it: its thatching was laid with golden shields after the fashion of a shingled roof.

In the hall-doorway Gylfi saw a man juggling with short swords, having seven in the air at one time. This man asked of him his name. He called himself by the alias Gangleri, and said he had come by the paths of the serpent, and prayed for lodging for the night, asking: “Who owns the hall?” The other replied that it was their king; “and I will take you to see him; then shall you yourself ask him concerning his; name;” and the man wheeled about before him into the hall, and he went after, and straightway the door closed itself on his heels. There he saw a great room and much people, some with games, some drinking; and some had weapons and were fighting.

He saw three high-seats, each above the other, and three men sat thereon, one on each. And he asked what might be the name of those lords. He who had conducted him in answered that the one who, sat on the nethermost high-seat was a king, “and his name is Hárr or High One; but the next is named Janhárr or Equally High One; and he who is uppermost is called Thridi or Third One.” Then Hárr asked the newcomer whether his errand were more than for the meat and drink which were always at his command, as for every one there in the Hall of the High One. He answered that he first desired to learn whether there were any wise man there within. Hárr said, that he should not escape from the hall alive unless he were wiser than the three on the high-seats.

And stand you forth | who inquire;
Who answers, | he shall sit.

3. Gangleri began his questioning: “Who is foremost, or oldest, of all the gods?” Hárr answered: “He is called in our speech Allfather, but in the Elder Asgard he had twelve names.”

Then asked Gangleri: “Where is this god, or what power has he, or what has he done that is a glorious deed?” Hárr made answer: “He lives throughout all ages and governs all his realm, and directs all things, great and small.” Then said Jafnhárr: “He fashioned heaven and earth and air, and all things which are in them.” Then spoke Thridi: “The greatest of all is this: that he made man, and gave him the spirit, which shall live and never perish, though the body rot to mold, or burn to ashes; and all men shall live, such as are just in action, and be with himself in the place called Gimlé. But evil men go to Hel and thence down to the Misty Hel; and that is down in the ninth world.” Then said Gangleri: “What did he before heaven and earth were made?” And Hárr answered: “He was then with the Frost-Giants.”

4. Gangleri said: “What was the beginning, or how began it, or what was before it?” Hárr answered: “As is told in Völuspá:

In the beginning was the age | when nothing was:
Nor sand nor sea, | nor chilling stream-waves;
Earth was not found, | nor Ether-Heaven,
A Yawning Gap called Ginnungagap, | but grass was none.”

Then said Jafnhárr: “It was many ages before the earth was shaped that the Mist-World was made; and midmost within it lies the well that is called Hvergelmir, from which spring rivers.” And Thridi said: “Yet first was the world in the southern region, which was named Múspell, the fire world; it is light and hot; that region is glowing and burning, and impassable to such as are outlanders and have not their holdings there. He who sits there at the land’s end, to defend the land, is called Surtr; he brandishes a flaming sword, and at the end of the world he shall go forth and harry, and overcome all the gods, and burn all the world with fire; thus is said in Völuspá:

Surtr fares from the south | with switch-eating flame,–
On his sword shimmers | the sun of the War-Gods;
The rock-crags crash; | the fiends are reeling;
Heroes tread Hel-way; | Heaven is cloven.”

5. Gangleri asked: “How were things done, before the races existed and the tribes of men increased?” Then said Hárr: “The streams called Ice-waves, those which were so long come from the fountainheads that had hardened like the slag that runs out of the fire–these then became ice; and when the ice halted and ceased to run, then it froze over above. But the drizzling rain congealed to Frost, and the Frost increased, frost over frost, each over the other, even into Ginnungagap, the Yawning Void.” Then spoke Jafnhárr: “Ginnungagap, which faced toward the northern quarter, became filled with heaviness, and masses of ice and Frost, and from within, drizzling rain and gusts; but the southern part of the Yawning Void was lighted by those sparks and glowing masses which flew out of Múspellheim.” And Thridi said: “Just as cold arose out of Niflheim, the frozen world, and all terrible things, so also all that looked toward Múspellheim became hot and glowing; but Ginnungagap was as mild as windless air, and when the breath of heat met the Frost, so that it melted and dripped, life came to be, by the power of that which sent the heat, and became a man’s form. And that man is named Ymir, but the Frost-Giants call him Aurgelimir; and thence are come the races of the Frost-Giants.

Then said Gangleri: “How did the races grow from there, or after what fashion was it brought to pass that more men came into being? Or do you hold him God, this Ymir?” And Jafnhárr answered: “By no means do we acknowledge him God; he was evil and all his kindred: we call them Frost-Giants. Now it is said that when he slept, a sweat came upon him, and there grew under his left hand a man and a woman, and one of his feet begat a son with the other; and thus the races are come; these are the Frost-Giants. The old Frost-Giant, him we call Ymir.”

6. Then said Gangleri: “Where dwelt Ymir, or wherein did he find sustenance?” Hárr answered: “Straightway after the Frost dripped, there sprang from it the cow called Audhumla; four streams of milk ran from her udders, and she nourished Ymir.” Then asked Gangleri: “How was the cow nourished?” And Hárr made answer:

“She licked the ice-blocks, which were salty; and the first day that she licked the blocks, there came forth from the blocks in the evening a man’s hair; the second day, a man’s head; the third day the whole man was there. He is named Búri: he was fair of feature, great and mighty. He begat a son called Borr, who wedded the woman named Bestla, daughter of Bölthorn the giant; and they had three sons: one was Odin, the second Vili, the third Vé. And this is my belief, that he, Odin, with his brothers, must be ruler of heaven and earth; we hold that he must be so called; so is that man called whom we know to be mightiest and most worthy of honor, and ye do well to let him be so called.”

7. Then said Gangleri: “Who was the stronger of all these?” And Hárr answered: “The sons of Borr slew Ymir the giant; and behold, where he fell there gushed forth so much blood out of his wounds that with it they drowned all the race of the Frost-Giants, save that one, whom giants call Bergelmir, escaped with his household; he went upon his ship, and his wife with him, and they were safe there. And from them are come the races of the Frost-Giants.

8. Then said Gangleri: “What was done then by Borr’s sons, if you believe that they be gods?” Hárr replied: “In this matter there is no little to be said. They took Ymir and carried him into the middle of the Yawning Void, and made the world from his body: of his blood the sea and the waters; the land was made of his flesh, and the crags of his bones; gravel and stones they fashioned from his teeth and his grinders and from those bones that were broken.” And Jafnhárr said: “Of the blood, which ran and welled forth freely out of his wounds, they made the sea, when they had formed and made firm the earth together, and laid the sea in a ring round. about her; and it may well seem a hard thing to most men to cross over it.” Then said Thridi: “They took his skull also, and made of it the heaven, and set it up over the earth with four corners; and under each corner they set a dwarf: the names of these are East, West, North, and South. Then they took the glowing embers and sparks that burst forth and had been cast out of Múspellheim, and set them in the midst of the Yawning Void, in the heaven, both above and below, to illumine heaven and earth. They assigned places to all fires: to some in heaven, some wandered free under the heavens; nevertheless, to these also they gave a place, and shaped them courses.”

Then said Gangleri: “These are great tidings which I now hear; that is a wondrous great piece of craftsmanship, and cunningly made. How was the earth, Midgard, designed?” And Hárr answered: “She is ring-shaped without, and round about her without lies the deep sea; and along the strand of that sea they gave lands to the races of giants for habitation. But on the inner earth they made a citadel round about the world against the hostility of the giants, and for their citadel they raised up the brows of Ymir the giant, and called that place Midgard. They took also his brain and cast it in the air, and made from it the clouds.”

9. Then said Gangleri: “Much indeed they had accomplished then, methinks, when earth and heaven were made, and the sun and the constellations of heaven were fixed, and division was made of days; now from where come the humans that people the world?” And Hárr answered: ‘When the sons of Borr were walking along the sea-strand, they found two trees, and took up the trees and shaped men of them: the first gave them spirit and life; the second, wit and feeling; the third, form, speech, hearing, and sight. They gave them clothing and names: the male was called Askr, and the female Embla, and of them was mankind begotten, which received a dwelling-place under Midgard. Next they made for themselves in the middle of the world a city which is called Asgard; men call it Troy. There dwelt the gods and their kindred; and many tidings and tales of it have come to pass both on earth and aloft. There is one abode in Asgard called Hlidskjálf, and when Allfather sat in the high-seat there, he looked out over the whole world and saw every man’s acts, and knew all things which he saw. His wife was called Frigg daughter of Fjörgvinn; and of their blood is come that kindred which we call the races of the Æsir, that have peopled Asgard, and those kingdoms which pertain to it; and that is a divine race. For this reason must he be called Allfather: because he is father of all the gods and of men, and of all that was fulfilled of him and of his might. The Earth was his daughter and his wife; on her he begot the first son, who is Thor: strength and prowess attend him, wherewith he overcomesall living things.

10. “Nörfi or Narfi is the name of a giant that dwelt in Jotunheim, the giants’ world: he had a daughter called Night; she was swarthy and dark, as befitted her race. She was given to the man named Naglfari; their son was Audr. Afterward she was wedded to him that was called Annarr; Jörd was their daughter. Last of all Dayspring had her, and he was of the race of the Æsir; their son was Day: he was radiant and fair after his father. Then Allfather took Night, and Day her son, and gave to them two horses and two chariots, and sent them up into the heavens, to ride round about the earth every two half-days. Night rides before with the horse named Frosty-Mane, and on each morning he bedews the earth with the foam from his bit. The horse that Day has is called Sheen-Mane, and he illumines all the air and the earth from his mane.”

11. Then said Gangleri: “How does he set the course of the sun or of the moon?” Hárr answered: “A certain man was named Mundilfari, who had two children; they were so fair and comely that he called his son Moon, and his daughter Sun, and wedded her to the man called Glenr. But the gods were incensed at that insolence, and took the brother and sister, and set them up in the heavens; they caused Sun to drive those horses that drew the chariot of the sun, which the gods had fashioned, for the world’s illumination, from that glowing stuff which flew out of Múspellheim. Those horses are called thus: Early-Wake and All-Strong; and under the shoulders of the horses the gods set two wind-bags to cool them, but in some records that is called ‘iron-coolness.’ Moon steers the course of the moon, and determines its waxing and waning.”

12. Then said Gangleri: “The sun travels swiftly, and almost as if she were afraid: she could not hasten her course any the more if she feared her destruction.” Then Hárr made answer: “It is no marvel that she speeds furiously: close behind comes he who seeks her, and she has no escape save to run away.” Then said Gangleri: “Who is it who causes her this disquiet?” Hárr replied: “It is two wolves; and he that runs after her is called Skoll; she fears him, and he shall take her. But he that leaps before her is called Hati Hródvitnisson. He is eager to seize the moon; and so it must be.” Then said Gangleri: “What is the race of the wolves?” Hárr answered: “A witch dwells to the east of Midgard, in the forest called Ironwood: in that wood dwell the troll-women, who are known as Ironwood-Women. The old witch bears many giants for sons, and all in the shape of wolves; and from this source are these wolves sprung. The saying runs thus: from this race shall come one that shall be mightiest of all, he that is named Moon-Hound; he shall be filled with the flesh of all those men that die, and he shall swallow the moon, and sprinkle with blood the heavens and all the lair; thereof-shall the sun lose her shining, and the winds in that day shall be unquiet and roar on every side.”

13. Then said Gangleri: “What is the way to heaven from earth?” Then Hárr answered, and laughed aloud: “Now, that is not wisely asked; has it not been told you, that the gods made a bridge from earth to heaven called Bifröst? You must have seen it; it may be that you call it a rainbow. It is of three colors, and very strong, and made with cunning and with more magic art than other works of craftsmanship. But strong as it is, yet must it be broken, when the sons of Múspell shall go forth harrying and ride it, and swim their horses over great rivers; thus they shall proceed.” Then said Gangleri: “To my thinking the gods did not build the bridge honestly, seeing that it could be broken, and they able to make it as they would.” Then Hárr replied: “The gods are not deserving of reproof because of this work of skill: a good bridge is Bifröst, but nothing in this world is of such nature that it may be relied on when the sons of Múspell go amok.”

14. Then said Gangleri: “What did Allfather then do when Asgard was made?” Hárr answered: “In the beginning he established rulers. Next after this, the gods enthroned themselves in their seats and held judgment, and called to mind whence the dwarves had become alive in the mold and underneath in the earth, even as do maggots in flesh. The dwarves had first received shape and life in the flesh of Ymir, and were then maggots; but by decree of the gods had become conscious with the intelligence of men, and had human shape. And nevertheless they dwell in the earth and in stones.”

15. Then said Gangleri: “Where is the chief living space or holy place of the gods?” Hárr answered: ‘That is at the Ash of Yggdrasill; there the gods must give judgment everyday.” Then Gangleri asked: “What is to be said concerning that place?” Then said Jafnhárr: “The Ash is greatest of all trees and best: its limbs spread out over all the world and stand above heaven. Three roots of the tree uphold it and stand exceeding broad: one is among the Æsir; another among the Frost-Giants, in that place where aforetime was the Yawning Void; the third stands over Niflheim, and under that root is Hvergelmir the frozen cosmic river, and Nídhögg the serpent gnaws the root from below. But under that root which turns toward the Frost-Giants is Mímir’s Well, wherein wisdom and understanding are stored; and he who keeps the well is called Mímir. He is full of ancient lore, since he drinks of the well. The Allfather came there and craved one drink of the well; but he got it not until he had surrendered one of his eyes in pledge.

The third root of the Ash stands in heaven; and there each day the Æsir ride there up over Bifröst, which is also called the Æsir’s Bridge.”

Then said Gangleri: “Does fire burn over Bifröst?” Hárr replied: “That which you see to be red in the bow is burning fire; the Hill-Giants might go up to heaven, if passage on Bifröst were open to all those who would cross.”

16. Then said Gangleri: “What more mighty wonders are to be told of the Ash, Yggdrasil?” Hárr replied: “Much is to be told of it. An eagle sits in the limbs of the Ash, and he has understanding of many a thing; and between his eyes sits the hawk that is called Vedrfölnir. The squirrel called Ratatöskr runs up and down the length of the Ash, bearing envious words between the eagle and Nídhöggr; and four deer run in the limbs of the Ash and bite the leaves.”

17. Then said Gangleri: “You know many tidings to tell of the heaven. What other chief abodes are there?” Hárr said: “Many places are there, and glorious. That which is called Álfheim is one, where dwell the peoples called Light-Elves; but the Dark-Elves dwell down in the earth, and they are unlike in appearance, but by far more unlike in nature. The Light-Elves are fairer to look upon than the sun, but the Dark-Elves are blacker than pitch.”

20. Then said Gangleri: “Who are the Æsir, in whom it behooves men to believe?” Hárr answered: “The divine Æsir are twelve.” Then said Jafnhárr: “Not less holy are the Ásynjur, the goddesses, and they are of no less authority.” Then said Thridi: “Odin is highest and eldest of the Æsir: he rules all things, and mighty as are the other gods, they all serve him as children obey a father. Frigg is his wife, and she knows all the fates of men, though she speaks no prophecy. Odin is called Allfather because he is father of all the gods. He is also called Father of the Slain, because all those that fall in battle are the sons of his adopt on; for them he appoints Valhalla and they are then called Champions.”

21. Then said Gangleri: “What are the names of the other Æsir, or what deeds of renown have they done?” Hárr answered: “Thor is the foremost of them; he is strongest of all the gods and men. Thor has two he-goats, that are called Tooth-Gnasher and Tooth-Gritter, and a chariot wherein he drives, and the he-goats draw the chariot; therefore is he called Öku-Thor. He has also three things of great price: one is the hammer Mjöllnir, which the Frost-Giants and the Hill-Giants know, when it is raised on high; and that is no wonder, it has bruised many a skull among their fathers or their kinsmen. He has a second costly thing, best of all: the belt of might; and when he clasps it about him, then the godlike strength within him is increased by half. Yet a third thing he has, in which there is much virtue: his iron gloves; he cannot do without them when he uses his hammer-shaft. But no one is so wise that he can tell all his mighty works; yet I can tell you so much tidings of him that the hours would be spent before all that I know were told.”

22. Then said Gangleri: “I would ask news of more Æsir.” Hárr replied: “The second son of Odin is Baldr, and good things are to be said of him. He is best, and all praise him; he is so fair of feature, and so bright, that light shines from him. He is the wisest of the Æsir, and the fairest-spoken and most gracious; and that quality attends him, that none may gainsay his judgments.

23. “The third among the Æsir is he that is called Njörd: he dwells in heaven. He rules the course of the wind, and stills sea and fire; on him shall men call for voyages and for hunting. He is so prosperous and abounding in wealth, that he may give them great plenty of lands or of gear; and him shall men invoke for such things. Njörd is not of the race of the Æsir: he was reared in the land of the Vanir, the world called Vanaheim, but the Vanir delivered him as hostage to the gods, and took for hostage in exchange him that men call Hœnir; he became an atonement between the gods and the Vanir.

24. “Njördr had two children: the son was called Freyr, and the daughter Freyja; they were fair of face and mighty. Freyr is the most renowned of the Æsir; he rules over the rain and the shining of the sun, and therewithal the fruit of the earth; and it is good to call on him for fruitful seasons and peace. He governs also the prosperity of men. But Freyja is the most renowned of the goddesses; wheresoever she rides to battle, she has one-half of the kill, and Odin half. When she goes forth, she drives her cats and sits in a chariot; she is most conformable to man’s prayers. Songs of love are well-pleasing to her; it is good to call on her for furtherance in love.”

25. Then said Gangleri: “Great in power do these Æsir seem to me; are there yet more gods?” Hárr said: “Yet remains that one of the Æsir who is called Týr: he is most daring, and best in stoutness of heart, and he has much authority over victory in battle; it is good for men of valor to invoke him. This is one token of his daring: when the Æsir enticed Fenris-Wolf to be chained with the fetter Gleipnir, the wolf did not believe that they would untie him after, until they laid Týr’s hand into his mouth as a pledge. But when the Æsir would not untie him, then he bit off the hand at the place now called ‘the wolf’s joint;’ and Týr is one-handed, and is not called a reconciler of men.

26. “One is called Bragi: he is renowned for wisdom, and most of all for fluency of speech and skill with words. He knows most of poetry. His wife is Idunn: she guards in her chest of ash those apples which the gods must taste whensoever they grow old; and then they all become young, and so it shall be even unto the Fate of the Gods.

27.  “Heimdallr is the name of one: he is called the White God. He is great and holy; nine maids, all sisters, bore him for a son. His teeth were of gold, and his horse is called Gold-top. He dwells by Bifröst: he is the guard of the gods, and sits there by heaven’s end to guard the bridge from the Hill-Giants. He needs less sleep than a bird; he sees equally well night and day a hundred leagues from him, and hears how grass grows on the earth or wool on sheep, and everything that has a louder sound. He has that trumpet which is called Gjallar-Horn, and its blast is heard throughout all worlds.

To cite this reading, use the following format:

Sturluson, Snorri. “Gylfaginning: Here Begins the Beguiling of Gylfi.” Edda, Internet Sacred Text Archive, https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/pre/pre04.htm. Accessed 1 Dec. 2022.