Giant, father of the beautiful Gerd.
Gymir (Old Norse Gymir) is a giant known as the father of Gerd, the beautiful giantess with whom the god Freyr falls in love. In Skírnismál, Freyr sends his servant Skirnir to Gymir's dwelling to woo Gerd. The homestead is surrounded by flames and guarded by dogs, but Skirnir makes his way through and presents Freyr's offer.
Gymir's wife is Aurboda, who is also mentioned in the poem. In Lokasenna 43, Gymir is identified with the sea-giant Aegir, but most scholars regard this as a confusion of names or a deliberate conflation in the poetic tradition.
Sources in the Eddas
- Skírnismál 1-42
- Skirnir travels to Gymir's dwelling to woo Gerd on Freyr's behalf.
- Lokasenna 43
- Gymir is here identified with Aegir, likely a confusion in the tradition.
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Gymir is Gerd's father, attested in Skírnismál and in Gylfaginning.
His dwelling is surrounded by flames and guarded by dogs.
B What we think we know
The identification of Gymir with Aegir in Lokasenna 43 is considered by most scholars to be a confusion of names.
C What we do not know
Whether Gymir had an independent mythological role beyond his fatherhood of Gerd is unknown.