útgeysa

Útgeysa is a term that appears in Old Norse literature, most notably in the Poetic Edda. It is the name of a giantess who is mentioned in the poem Grímnismál. In this poem, Odin, disguised as Grímnir, lists several locations where he has sought refuge. One of these locations is the dwelling of Útgeysa, which he describes as being beyond the east. The precise meaning and significance of Útgeysa are not fully understood, and scholarly interpretations vary. Some suggest that Útgeysa might represent a personification of the eastern regions or a specific geographical feature. Others believe the name could be symbolic, perhaps related to the forces of chaos or the unknown that lie in the east from the perspective of the Norse people. The limited textual evidence makes it difficult to ascertain her exact role or the wider context of her mention. She remains one of the more obscure figures in Norse mythology, primarily known through this single reference.