Gymir- Norse GiantGiant
Description
Gerðr's father, a jötunn whose hall in Jötunheim stood ringed with flame and guarded by fierce dogs. When Skírnir rode through the fire to woo Gerðr on Freyr's behalf, Gymir never spoke a word. His daughter answered for the household.
Mythology & Lore
Gymir's Hall
The Skírnismál names Gymir as a jötunn in Jötunheim, father of Gerðr and husband of Aurboða. The Hyndluljóð calls Aurboða mountain-giant stock. Their hall stood behind fierce dogs and a wall of flickering flame.
When Freyr saw Gerðr from Hliðskjálf and could not eat or sleep for wanting her, he sent Skírnir to Gymir's hall with his self-fighting sword and a horse that could ride through fire. Skírnir passed the dogs and the flames. Inside, Gerðr's mother told her to receive the stranger. Skírnir offered gold, then threats, then runic curses. Gerðr relented and agreed to meet Freyr at the grove Barri in nine nights.
Gymir is not given a single line in the poem. His hall burns and his dogs snarl, but when a god's servant comes to take his daughter, the text records no reaction from him at all.
Relationships
- Associated with