Iðunn Basics

Iðunn is attested to in the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, as well as in archaeological burial finds, in which apples and other symbols of this goddess have been found.

Her name means “Rejuvenating One,” “Rejuvenator” or “Ever-young.” Kennings for her name are about springs or eddies of water, and notions like the Fountain of Youth may be in reference to her. She is depicted as a summery maiden goddess adorned with blossoms, bearing fruit, and tending her gardens.

She is the wife of Bragi, a god of poetry and music, and sister of Nanna. Iðunn is a goddess of youth, newness, renewal and vitality. She is described in the lore as being highly regarded, and her apples are the food of the gods – because of them, the gods remain youthful and strong. She carries them about in a wooden box made of ash, and connected to Yggdrasil. Iðunn seems to have exclusive access to these apples. Not surprisingly, she is one of the Ásynjur, or greater goddesses of the pantheon.

Like Freya, she is described as golden, and is coveted by the giants, who routinely barter with the Æsir demanding her for a bride. Surprisingly, it is Iðunn, and not her apples, that the giants seem to want. The best known illustration of this is the story of how the jötunn Þjazi kidnaps her – one of the most dangerous misfortunes to have befallen the gods!

It should be no surprise that Loki was at the centre of this fiasco. The scheming god tricks Iðunn into venturing beyond the gates of Ásgard, where he arranged for Þjazi to be waiting. The storm giant kidnaps the goddess and her apples back to his hall Þrymheimr, back in the giant’s land of Jötunheimr.

In Iðunn’s absence the gods begin to age and whither. It soon comes out that her disappearance is Loki’s doing, and they force him to fix the situation. He borrows Freya’s falcon cloak and flies to Jötunheimr to steal Iðunn back, sneaking into the giant’s fortress. Using magic, he changes her into a nut and carries her back to Ásgard. Not about to lose his prize so easily, Þjazi gives chase in the form of an eagle, and nearly nabs Loki several times before they see the great shield wall of Ásgard before them.

The gods build an enormous blazing fire atop the ramparts, through which Loki the falcon skillfully dodges. Much too big and not nearly nimble enough, Þjazi the eagle is caught in the bonfire and perishes at the hands of the gods. Iðunn returns to apple duty, and Þjazi’s vengeful daughter, Skaði confronts the gods soon after.

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Thoughts on Iðunn

Iðunn stands out in the Northern pantheon. She does not appear to be a warrior Valkyrie or sovereign queen, appearing gentle and soft, and at the same time holds the divinity of all the other gods in her hands. She appears to suggest a more complex culture of the pre-Christian northern Europeans, than modern stereotypes would suggest.

Some have compared Iðunn with the perhaps constructed goddess Eostre, also known as Ostara, who may be a renamed Greek Eos and Roman Aurora. 

Iðunn also appears to have some archetype similarities with Hebe, the Grecian goddess of youth, who dwelt in the garden of the Hesperides, a celestial orchard, west-of-west, where the golden apples of immortality grew. Hebe served to the gods of Olympus ambrosia, a divine nectar which kept them ever-young.

Iðunn may also be part of a literary motif of immortal maidens, such as Nimue, the maiden-enchantress in Malory’s Mort D’Arthur, who dwells on Avalon, “Land of Apples,” which lies west-of-west, and where one can regenerate from even mortal wounds.

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Signs and Symbols

Apples (especially golden), apple cider, orchards, fruit trees, and spring blossoms. Eggs, seeds, and nuts (especially hazelnut). Springs, brooks, streams, and fountains. Spas, pools and saunas. Spring (season) and dawn. Baby animals and baskets. The colours gold, light green and rosy pink. The rune Vend.

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Associated Names

Idun, Idunn, Ithun, Iduna, Idunna, Edgeona. Possibly Eostre, Ostara, Eos and Aurora.