Audhumlas

Audhumla is a primordial cow figure from Norse mythology. She is described as emerging from the melting ice of Élivágar, a poisonous river. Audhumla's significance lies in her role as the nourisher of the first giant, Ymir, and as the discoverer of the first god, Búri. According to the myths, Ymir was so large that he was nourished by Audhumla's milk. While Ymir slept, Audhumla licked the salty ice blocks. On the first day, she licked the ice and revealed a man's hair. On the second day, she uncovered his head. On the third day, she licked the entire man free, who was Búri, the grandfather of Odin and his brothers. Búri then became the ancestor of the Æsir, the principal gods in Norse mythology. Audhumla is thus a central figure in the creation of the cosmos and the lineage of the gods. Her existence predates many other beings in the mythology, highlighting her primordial nature. She represents a source of life and sustenance in the earliest stages of creation.