The Myths of the Norsemen: From the Eddas and Sagas on Ymir
Contents > Chapter I: The Beginning
attestation: Ymir, also called Orgelmir, was the first giant, a personification of the frozen ocean who came to life amid ice-blocks and was classified as a Hrim-thurs or ice-giant.
"a gigantic creature called Ymir or Orgelmir (seething clay), the personification of the frozen ocean, came to life amid the ice-blocks in the abyss, and as he was born of rime he was called a Hrim-thurs, or ice-giant."
attestation: While Ymir slept, a son and daughter were born from perspiration under his armpit, and his feet produced the six-headed giant Thrudgelmir.
"Ymir, the giant, had fallen asleep, and as he slept a son and daughter were born from the perspiration under his armpit, and his feet produced the six-headed giant Thrudgelmir, who, shortly after his birth, brought forth in his turn the giant Bergelmir, from whom all the evil frost giants are descended."
Contents > Chapter Xxiii: The Giants
attestation: When Ymir was slain by the gods, his progeny drowned in his blood; only Bergelmir and his wife escaped to Jotunheim and became parents of all the giant race.
"When Ymir, the first giant, fell lifeless on the ice, slain by the gods, his progeny were drowned in his blood. One couple only, Bergelmir and his wife, effected their escape to Jótun-heim, where they took up their abode and became the parents of all the giant race."
attestation: Giants were called Jotuns (great eaters) for their enormous appetites, or Thurses, a word associated either with thirst or with the towers they built.
"Jótun, for instance, meant "the great eater," for the giants were noted for their enormous appetites as well as for their uncommon size. They were fond of drinking as well as of eating, wherefore they were also called Thurses, a word which some writers claim had the same meaning as thirst"
attestation: Giants were personifications of natural forces including frost, snow, ice, cold, stone, and subterranean fire; they were the first creatures to emerge from the icy abyss of Ginnungagap.
"the Northern races imagined that the giants were the first creatures who came to life among the icebergs which filled the vast abyss of Ginnunga-gap. These giants were from the very beginning the opponents and rivals of the gods"
Contents > Chapter Xxiv: The Dwarfs
attestation: Dwarfs (Svart-alfar / dark elves) originated as maggot-like creatures in Ymir's slain flesh; the gods gave them form and features but commanded them to live underground and never appear in daytime lest they turn to stone.
"the black elves, dwarfs, or Svart-alfar, were bred like maggots in the flesh of the slain giant Ymir. The gods, perceiving these tiny, unformed creatures creeping in and out, gave them form and features, and they became known as dark elves, on account of their swarthy complexions... they were enjoined to hide underground, being commanded never to show themselves during the daytime lest they should be turned into stone."
attestation: Dwarfs were less powerful than gods but more intelligent than men, with boundless knowledge extending even to the future; both gods and men sought to question them.
"Although less powerful than the gods, they were far more intelligent than men, and as their knowledge was boundless and extended even to the future, gods and men were equally anxious to question them."
attestation: Dwarfs were also known by regional names including trolls, kobolds, brownies, goblins, pucks, or Huldra folk depending on the country.
"The dwarfs were also known as trolls, kobolds, brownies, goblins, pucks, or Huldra folk, according to the country where they dwelt."
attestation: Dwarfs possessed a magic cap called the Tarnkappe that could make them invisible; they could move with great speed and loved to hide behind rocks and repeat overheard words.
"These little beings could transport themselves with marvellous celerity from one place to another, and they loved to conceal themselves behind rocks, when they would mischievously repeat the last words of conversations overheard from such hiding-places."