Ask and Embla
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In Norse Mythology, Ask and Embla (Old Norse: Askr ok Embla) were the first two humans created by the gods. Ask, the male, refers to the ash tree, where as Embla, the female, refers to the elm or vine.[1]
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[edit] Creation
There are two conflicting descriptions of the creation of Ask and Embla. In both versions, three gods find Ask and Embla and bestow upon them various gifts. Odin appears as one of the three gods in both versions, however, the two gods with him differ between the two sources.
[edit] Poetic Edda
In section 17 of the Poetic Edda poem Völuspá, Hœnir, Lóðurr and Odin are described as finding Ask and Embla on land. They are described as being capable of little, lacking in fate, missing breath, spirit, "vital spark",[2] and "fresh complexions".[2] Odin gives them breath, Hœnir gives them spirit, and Lóðurr gives them "vital spark" and "fresh complexions".
[edit] Prose Edda
According to chapter 9 of the Prose Edda book Gylfaginning, the three brothers Vili, Vé, and Odin, were the creators of the first man and woman. The brothers were once walking along a beach and found two trees there. They took the wood and from it created the first human beings; Ask and Embla. One of the three gave them the breath of life, the second gave them movement and intelligence, and the third gave them shape, speech, hearing and sight. Further, the three gods gave them clothing and names. Ask and Embla go on to become the progenitors of all humanity and were given a home within the walls of Midgard.
[edit] References
- ^ Byock, Jesse. (Trans.) (2006) The Prose Edda, page 18. Penguin Classics ISBN 0140447555
- ^ a b Larrington, Carolyne. (Trans.) (1999) The Poetic Edda, page 6. Oxford World's Classics ISBN 0192839462
[edit] External links
- Tjatsi.fo – Retelling and Interpretation of Völuspá (Public Domain, by Anker Eli Petersen)
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