Seiðr Loom

object

Iðunn's apples

epli Iðunnar

The fruit Iðunn keeps in an ash-wood box, which the gods eat when they grow old to become young again. When Þjazi stole Iðunn, the gods aged.

Iðunn's apples are what keep the gods young. Snorri says Iðunn keeps them in a chest of ash-wood, and when the gods feel old they eat them "and then they all become young, and so it shall be even unto the Weird of the Gods", that is, until Ragnarök Gylfaginning 26. The poets call them the "Age-Elixir of the Æsir" Skáldskaparmál 22.

The apples matter in one story. The giant Þjazi made Loki promise to bring Iðunn out of Asgard "with her apples". Loki lured her out by claiming to have found better ones, and the giant flew off with her. The gods "became hoary and old" until Loki brought her back Skáldskaparmál 1 (see The theft of Iðunn and her apples). The account does not say whether Þjazi wanted the apples, the goddess, or both.

The only other apples in the Eddas are the "Eleven apples, all of gold" that Skírnir offers Gerðr on Freyr's behalf Skírnismál 19. The poem does not link them to Iðunn, but they suggest that golden apples were a fitting gift among the gods.

In the sources

Quoted from the hosted translations; each line is checked against the text when the site is built. Select a reference to read it in context.

she guards in her chest of ash those apples which the gods must taste whensoever they grow old; and then they all become young, and so it shall be even unto the Weird of the Gods.
Gylfaginning 26 The apples' power, and that it will last until Ragnarök.
the apples should be called Age-Elixir of the Æsir.
Skáldskaparmál 22 The poetic name for the apples.
Eleven apples, all of gold, Here will I give thee, Gerth
Skírnismál 19 Golden apples appear again as a bride-gift in Skírnismál.

Where the sources disagree or fall silent

  • Whether the Old Norse word epli here means apples specifically or fruit in general; scholars disagree.
  • Whether the eleven golden apples Skírnir offers Gerðr (Skírnismál 19) are Iðunn's; the poem does not say.

Myths with Iðunn's apples

The theft of Iðunn and her apples Caught by a giant in eagle's shape, Loki buys his freedom by luring Iðunn and her apples out of Asgard. The gods grow old, and Loki must steal her back as a falcon, with Þjazi beating after him.

Related

Iðunn The goddess who keeps the apples that keep the gods young. When the giant Þjazi carried her off, the gods began to age, and Loki had to steal her back. Þjazi A giant who, in the shape of an eagle, forced Loki to lure Iðunn and her apples out of Asgard. The gods burned his wings at their walls and killed him; his eyes became stars. Loki The giant-born trickster counted among the Æsir: father of Fenrir, the Midgard Serpent and Hel, contriver of Baldr's death, bound until Ragnarök. Bragi The god of poetry and eloquence, husband of Iðunn. In Snorri's Skáldskaparmál he is the storyteller who explains the art of poetry to the sea-giant Ægir. Gerðr A giant's daughter so beautiful that light shone from her arms, whom Freyr's servant Skírnir won for him by bribes, threats and a runic curse.