Jotun

In Norse mythology, the giants were a mythological race with superhuman strength, described as standing in opposition to the gods, although they frequently mingled with or were even married to these, both Æsir and Vanir. Their stronghold is known as Utgard, and is situated in Jötunheimr, one of the nine worlds of Norse cosmology, separated from Midgard, the world of men, by high mountains and dense forests. When living in other worlds than their own, they seem to prefer caves and dark places.

Related Topics:
Norse mythology - Giants - Æsir - Vanir - Utgard - Jötunheimr - Norse cosmology - Midgard

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In Old Norse, they were called jötnar (sing. jötunn), or risar (sing. risi), in particular bergrisar, or þursar (sing. þurs), in particular hrímþursar. A giantess could also be known as a gýgr.

Related Topics:
Old Norse - Sing - Giantess

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Jötunn probably derives from the same root as "eat," and accordingly had the original meaning of "glutton" or "man-eater."

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However, as according to Ynglinga saga, jötnar were from Finland,

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the word could be derived from the Finnish word jätti - "giant". Following the same logic, þurs might be derivatived of accutal "thirst" or "blood-thirst", or from the Finnish god of war Tursas (þursar - servants of Tursas). The Risi is probably akin to "rise," and so means "towering person", as the Finns were known to have manned watchtowers awaiting the attacks of the Norse. In Old English, the cognates to jötunn are eoten and eten, from whence come the modern English ettin and J. R. R. Tolkien's creation Ent. Ettin is a false cognate with Yeti. http://dictionary.oed.com/cgi/entry/50078384?query_type=word&queryword=ettin&first=1&max_to_show=10&sort_type=alpha&result_place=2

Related Topics:
Thirst - Old English - Ettin - J. R. R. Tolkien - Ent - False cognate - Yeti

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"Thurs" is also a the name of the rune ?, which later evolved into the letter Þ.

Related Topics:
Thurs - Rune - Þ

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