Hostile giant who captured Loki and lured Thor into a trap.
Geirrod (Old Norse Geirrøðr) is a hostile giant who captures Loki while the trickster flies in Freyja's falcon cloak. Loki is forced to promise to bring Thor to Geirrod's hall without the hammer Mjölnir and without the belt of strength. The tale is told in detail in Skáldskaparmál and in Þórsdrápa.
On the way to Geirrod's hall, Thor stays with the giantess Grid, who warns him and lends him three items: the belt of strength Megingjord, the iron gloves, and the staff Gridarvol. With this equipment Thor survives the traps in Geirrod's hall, crushes his daughters Gjalp and Greip, and finally kills Geirrod by hurling back a glowing lump of iron.
Sources in the Eddas
- Skáldskaparmál 18
- Snorri recounts Thor's journey to Geirrod's hall, Grid's warning, and Geirrod's death.
- Þórsdrápa (Eilífr Goðrúnarson)
- Skaldic poem describing Thor's journey to Geirrod in mythological kennings.
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Geirrod captured Loki and forced him to lure Thor to his hall (Skáldskaparmál 18).
Thor killed Geirrod with a glowing piece of iron after being equipped by Grid.
B What we think we know
The relationship between Snorri's prose version and Þórsdrápa is debated; the poem is difficult to interpret.
C What we do not know
Whether the Geirrod myth is connected to the king of the same name in Grímnismál is unclear.