Bölþorn

Bölþorn (Old Norse "evil thorn") is a frost giant in Norse mythology. His parentage is unknown. He is best known as the maternal grandfather of the god Odin.

Attestations

In the Poetic Edda, it is said about Bölþorn and his children:

Nine mighty songs I got from the son

Of Bolthorn, Bestla's father;

And a drink I got of the goodly mead

Poured out from Othrorir.

Bestla is the mother of Odin, Vili and Vé by Borr. Bölþorn's son could be the wise being Mímir.

Gylfaginning, the first section of the Prose Edda, states that Bölþorn is a giant and the father of Bestla.

References

• Bellows, Henry Adams (1923). The Poetic Edda. American-Scandinavian Foundation.
• Puhvel, Jaan (1989). Comparative Mythology. Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 9 780801 839382