Mímisbrunnr

Mímisbrunnr, also known as Mimir's Well, is a spring in Norse mythology located beneath the world tree Yggdrasil. It is associated with Mímir, a figure famed for wisdom and memory, and is described as a source of profound knowledge.

The waters of Mímisbrunnr are said to grant wisdom or memory to those who drink from it. In the mythic tradition, Odin seeks the well’s knowledge and, in exchange for a drink, sacrifices one of his eyes to Mímir so that he may gain greater insight. This act is often cited as a symbol of the high price of wisdom in the Norse worldview.

In some variants of the myth, Mímir is killed or beheaded, and Odin preserves Mímir’s head so it can continue to dispense counsel. The head is sometimes described as kept in a vat or vessel and consulted by Odin for wisdom, illustrating the enduring theme that valuable knowledge may require unusual sacrifices or means to preserve.

Etymologically, the name Mímisbrunnr means “Mímir’s Well” or “the well of Mímir,” with brunnr meaning a well or spring and Mímir associated with memory or remembrance. The well and its guardian figure appear in several Old Norse sources, most notably the prose and poetic traditions that recount the search for wisdom and the handling of cosmic knowledge.