The yawning void that existed before the creation of the world.
Ginnungagap is the great void that preceded creation in Old Norse cosmogony. To the north lay the ice-cold Niflheimr and to the south the fiery Múspellsheimr, and the meeting of their forces in the yawning chasm gave rise to the first living beings.
From the melting ice at the gap's centre arose the primordial giant Ymir and the cow Auðhumla. From Ymir's body Óðinn, Vili, and Vé then fashioned the world, and Ginnungagap transformed from void to cosmos.
Attestations
- Gylfaginning 5
- Snorri explains Ginnungagap's role in the Norse creation narrative.