Eikþyrnir

Eikþyrnir is a stag that stands atop Valhalla in Norse mythology. According to the Prose Edda, the stag stands on the roof of Valhalla and gnaws on the branches of the world tree Yggdrasil. From Eikþyrnir's antlers, dew drips down to fill the spring Hvergelmir. This water then flows to nourish the world. The name Eikþyrnir itself is often interpreted to mean "oak-thorn" or "oak-prickly," referencing its connection to the evergreen foliage of Yggdrasil. The imagery of a stag feeding from the cosmic tree is a recurring motif in various mythologies, often symbolizing vitality and the cyclical nature of life. Eikþyrnir is also said to be the source of the mead that flows in Valhalla, providing sustenance to the einherjar. Its presence atop Valhalla highlights the importance of nature and sustenance even in the afterlife, as envisioned by the ancient Norse.