Sea giant who owned a great cauldron. Thor fished for the Midgard serpent from his boat.
Hymir (Old Norse Hymir) is a sea giant who owns the largest cauldron known to the gods. In Hymiskviða Thor travels to Hymir's hall to obtain a brewing cauldron for Aegir. Hymir is inhospitable and tests Thor with several challenges, including catching fish.
Thor uses an ox head as bait and hauls up the Midgard serpent Jörmungandr. Hymir cuts the line in terror before Thor can kill the serpent. Thor then smashes Hymir's goblet against his skull to pass the final test and carries off the cauldron. Hymiskviða provides the most detailed version of Thor's fishing expedition.
Sources in the Eddas
- Hymiskviða 1-39
- The entire Hymiskviða tells of Thor's visit to Hymir, the fishing expedition, and the conquest of the cauldron.
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Hymir is the sea giant from whose boat Thor fishes up the Midgard serpent, attested in Hymiskviða.
B What we think we know
The relationship between the Hymiskviða and Gylfaginning versions of the fishing expedition is debated.