Hrímgrímnir

Hrímgrímnir (Old Norse: [ˈhriːmˌɡriːmnez̠], 'frost-masked') is a jötunn in Norse mythology. He is invoked by Freyr's servant Skírnir as he tries to coerce the beautiful jötunn Gerðr on his master's behalf.

Name

The Old Norse name Hrímgrímnir has been translated as 'frost-masked'.

Attestations

In Skírnismál (The Lay of Skírnir), after Gerðr refuses to marry Freyr, his messenger Skírnir threatens her with a curse involving her marriage to Hrímgrímnir in Hel:

[Skírnir:]
Hrímgrímnir is the name of the giant who shall possess you [Gerðr],
Down below Nágrind [the gate to Hel’s realm].
There let wretches on the roots of the tree
Give you goat piss.
A better drink you will never get,
Maiden, from your mouth,
Maiden, to your mouth.

— Skírnismál, 35, trans. J. Lindow, 2002.

Hrímgrímnir is also mentioned in the þulur among fellow jötnar but is not otherwise found elsewhere.

Theories

Scholar John Lindow comments that Hrímgrímnir is evidently a "part of something bigger"; if Gerðr refuses Skírnir's offer, she will "be denied all ordinary sexual congress", resulting in social consequences—even though she would be married, she would live in social exile.

References

• Lindow, John (2002). Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-983969-8.
• Orchard, Andy (1997). Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell. ISBN 978-0-304-34520-5.