The 9 Most Powerful Giants in Norse Mythology

Hey everyone, welcome to Mythology Explained. In today’s video, we’re going to discuss nine of the most powerful giants in Norse mythology, especially those who contribute to defeating the Gods and Destroying the world during the fire and flood of Ragnarok, the great age-ending conflict that looms near in the mythic future.

Alright, Let’s get into it.

Starting off our list is Ymir

To speak of Ymir is to speak of the beginning of the universe, for he drew breath before any of the gods.

First, there was only Ginnungagap, the great void. In it, two realms emerged: Niflheim, a world of ice in the North, and Muspelheim, a world of fire in the South. The Northern cold of Niflheim spread into the heart of Ginnungagap, and the heat from Muspelheim emanated from the south. Fire and frost met; droplets of water formed, and in these droplets there was a quickening. Ymir, whom the giants called Aurgelmir, was given form and life. He was the very first giant, and all the giants who dwell in Jotunheim, the realm of the giants, are his descendants. Later, Ymir began to sweat profusely in his sleep, a sweat of procreation. Two giants, one male and one female, grew underneath his left arm, and his legs came together, coupling to produce a second son.

Another being emerged, Audhumbla, the cosmic cow. Four rivers of milk flowed from her udders, and it was from these rivers that Ymir drank and nourished himself. Though Audhumbla provided sustenance, it was she who would unearth the sire of Ymir’s doom. She subsisted on salty blocks of ice, and her incessant licking eventually thawed out and freed Buri, the first god. He sired a son, Bor, who took the giantess Bestla as his wife, and they, in turn, had three sons: Odin, Vili, and Ve, who attacked Ymir, killing him, then tearing apart his body into the material from which they made the world.

Watch the video for the rest!