Grid (mythology)

Grid or Gríðr ( Old Norse for 'greed, vehemence') is an ice or frost giantess in Norse mythology . She is the mother of Vidar , whom she fathered together with Odin .

When she discovered Loki's intention to have Thor murdered by the giant Geirröd , she gave Thor three magical items:

• the power belt Megingiard
• the iron glove Jarngreipr and
• a whitebeam wand called Griðarvölr

These items ensured the survival of Thor. In contrast to most other giants, Grid is friendly and helpful.

It is mentioned in Snorri Sturluson's Skáldskaparmál and in the Þrymskviða attributed to Snorri and his surroundings . She or a namesake appears as a witch in the Illuga saga Gríðarfóstra .

literature

• Rudolf Simek : Lexicon of Germanic Mythology (= Kröner's pocket edition . Volume 368). 3rd, completely revised edition. Kröner, Stuttgart 2006, ISBN 3-520-36803-X .
• Arnulf Krause : Reclam's lexicon of Germanic mythology and heroic saga. Stuttgart 2010.