Iðunn
Iðunn is attested in the Poetic Edda, Prose Edda, and several archaeological finds, where symbols of this goddess, such as apples, have been uncovered. Her name means "rejuvenating one," "rejuvenator," or "ever-young." She is a goddess of youth, renewal, and vitality, often depicted as a summery maiden adorned with blossoms, bearing fruit, and tending to her gardens. Iðunn is a wife to Bragi, the god of poetry, and the sister of Nanna.
Iðunn is most famous for her apples, which grant the gods their immortality and youth. She carries them in a wooden box made of ash, which is connected to Yggdrasil, the World Tree. Iðunn is one of the Ásynjur, the greater goddesses of Ásgard, and her apples are a central element of divine strength. Without her, the gods age and wither, highlighting her importance in maintaining the vitality of the pantheon.
Iðunn is highly regarded in the lore, though she is also associated with one of the most famous myths involving her kidnapping by the jötunn Þjazi. This tale reveals the perilous nature of her beauty and the gods' dependence on her. Loki, known for his mischief, tricks Iðunn into leaving Ásgard, where she is abducted by Þjazi, who takes her to his hall in Jötunheimr. The gods, deprived of her apples, begin to age. Loki, forced to remedy the situation, changes Iðunn into a nut and flies her back to Ásgard in the form of a falcon. Þjazi, in pursuit as an eagle, perishes in the flames of a bonfire as he attempts to reach her.
Thoughts on Iðunn
Iðunn stands out in the Norse pantheon as a symbol of youth and renewal. Unlike the warrior gods or sovereign queens, she embodies a more delicate and nurturing archetype, one that is perhaps more gentle and playful in nature. Alongside her husband, Bragi, she brings light and vitality to the pantheon.
Her role as the keeper of the gods' immortality places her in a position of great importance, and her gentle persona contrasts with the strength and power of other gods like Thor and Óðin. Iðunn is the divine child archetype, holding the gods’ strength in her hands through her apples of renewal.
Modern scholars have drawn comparisons between Iðunn and several other deities of renewal, such as the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre (also known as Ostara) and the Greek goddess Hebe. Iðunn's association with apples and regeneration also ties her to mythic figures like Nimue, the maiden of Avalon, who symbolizes healing and renewal.
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 colors gold, light green, and rosy pink
The rune Vend
Associated Names
Idun, Idunn, Ithun, Iduna, Idunna, Edgeona
Possibly Eostre, Ostara, Eos, and Aurora