Study › Runes & Norse › The Jotnar (Giants)
The jotnar are the giants of Norse mythology: older than the gods and forever at odds with them, they stand for the wild forces of frost, mountain, storm and sea. Yet many gods have giant mothers or wives.
Who are the jotnar?
The jotnar — giants — are the great counter-race of Norse myth, older than the gods and forever at odds with them. They dwell chiefly in Jotunheim, a wild country of mountain and forest, and stand for the raw, chaotic forces of nature: frost, mountain, storm and sea. The very first being, Ymir, was a giant, and from his body the world was made.
Giants and gods
Not all giants are enemies, and the line between giant and god is blurred: many gods have giant mothers or wives, and Loki is giant-born. There are frost giants of the cold north and fearsome fire giants of Muspelheim under Surtr. Wise giants like Mimir and Vafthrudnir hold ancient knowledge the gods must seek out. Yet at Ragnarok the giants march against Asgard, and gods and giants destroy one another.
Their land is Jotunheim; the first of them was Ymir.
Questions
What does jotnar mean?
It is the Old Norse plural of jötunn, "giant".
Are all giants evil?
No. Some, like Mimir, are wise and helpful, and many gods have giant kin.