The Prose Edda on Ginungagap

The Younger Edda: > Snorre'S Edda, Or The Prose Edda. > Preface.

• attestation: Before the creation, the primordial void Ginungagap existed formless and empty

  "the great abyss Ginungagap was without form and void"

The Younger Edda: > Chapter Iv. > The Creation Of The World.

• attestation: Before creation there was nothing - no sand, sea, earth, or heaven - only Ginungagap existed

  "It was Time's morning, When there nothing was; Nor sand, nor sea, Nor cooling billows. Earth there was not, Nor heaven above. The Ginungagap was, But grass nowhere."

• attestation: The northern part of Ginungagap was filled with ice and rime, while the southern part was lit by Muspelheim's sparks

  "All that part of Ginungagap that turns toward the north was filled with thick and heavy ice and rime, and everywhere within were drizzling rains and gusts. But the south part of Ginungagap was lighted up by the glowing sparks that flew out of Muspelheim"