References to Iðunn in the Prose Edda and Poetic Edda

This document lists all direct mentions and narrative involvement of the goddess Iðunn as found in the primary Old Norse mythological texts, the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda.

Part I: The Poetic Edda

**Lokasenna (Loki's Quarrel)**

Iðunn appears and speaks during Loki's flyting (insult contest) in Ægir's hall.

• **Poem Introduction:** Iðunn is referred as Bragi’s wife.

• **Stanza 16-17-18:** After Loki insults Bragi, Iðunn intervenes.

  Iðunn said:
  16. ‘I ask, Bragi — the ties of blood-children
  and of all adopted sons are strong —
  that you don’t address Loki with insulting staves
  in Ægir’s hall!’
  
  Loki said:
  17. ‘Silence, Iðunn! I say that of all women
  you’re the most man-eager,
  since you laid your splendidly washed arms
  around your brother’s slayer!’
  
  Iðunn said:
  18. ‘I shan’t address Loki with insulting staves
  in Ægir’s hall;
  I’ll calm Bragi, [who’s] high on beer,
  I don’t want you two wrathful ones to fight!
  

Part II: The Prose Edda

Gylfaginning (The Beguiling of Gylfi)

• Chapter 26(p.25): Iðunn is introduced as Bragi’s wife.

  "Bragi's wife is Iðunn. She keeps in her casket the apples which the gods have to eat when they grow old, to become young again, and so it will be until Ragnarök."

Skáldskaparmál (The Language of Poetry)

• Introduction(p.59): Is named in a list of eight asynjur that sits in a trhone in a banquet for Aegir.

• Chapter 1(p.59-60) : The primary narrative involving Iðunn is told in full here. The story is presented as the origin of the kenning "Þjazi's booty."

  • The Narrative: The gods Óðinn, Loki, and Hœnir are travelling and try to cook an ox. An eagle in a tree (the giant Þjazi in disguise) prevents the meat from cooking until they agree to give him a share.
  • Loki, angered, strikes the eagle with a staff. The staff sticks to the eagle and Loki is flown into the air.
  • To be freed, Loki must swear an oath to lure Iðunn out of Ásgarðr with her apples.
  • Loki returns to Ásgarðr and tells Iðunn he has found apples in a forest that are far superior to hers and that she should bring her own for comparison.
  • Iðunn goes with Loki into the forest. There, the giant Þjazi arrives in his eagle form, seizes Iðunn, and carries her off to his home in Jötunheimr, Þrymheimr.
  • The Consequence: Without Iðunn and her apples, the gods begin to grow old and grey. They hold a council and discover that Iðunn was last seen leaving Ásgarðr with Loki.
  • The Rescue: The gods seize Loki and threaten him with death. He promises to bring Iðunn back. Loki borrows Freyja's falcon-shape, flies to Jötunheimr, finds Iðunn alone, turns her into a nut, and carries her back in his talons.
  • Þjazi discovers Iðunn is missing, takes his eagle form, and gives chase.
  • The gods in Ásgarðr see Loki approaching with Þjazi in pursuit. They build a fire of wood shavings on the walls of Ásgarðr. As Loki flies over the wall, the gods light the fire. Þjazi cannot stop in time, his feathers catch fire, and he falls to the ground inside Ásgarðr, where the gods kill him.

• Chapter 10(p.76): Iðunn is named as Iðunn’s husband.

• Chapter 18-22(p.86): Kennings for Iðunn

  “By calling her wife of Bragi, and keeper of the apples…”

• Chapter 33(p.95): Iðunn is cited as one of the six ásynjur visiting Ægir