Útlimir

Útlimir is a term used in Icelandic folklore and mythology to refer to the boundaries or limits of the world. The concept of útlimir is closely tied to the idea of the world tree, Yggdrasil, which is central to Norse mythology. According to the myth, Yggdrasil stretches from the realm of the gods, Asgard, to the realm of the giants, Jotunheim, and to the realm of the dead, Hel. The útlimir are the points where these realms meet and where the roots of Yggdrasil extend.

In Icelandic folklore, útlimir can also refer to the edges of the world, where the land meets the sea or where the sky meets the earth. These boundaries are often associated with dangerous and unpredictable places, such as the cliffs of the coast or the treacherous waters of the open sea. In some stories, útlimir are guarded by powerful beings or spirits, who protect the world from external threats.

The concept of útlimir is also present in other forms of Icelandic folklore, such as sagas and ballads, where they are often depicted as places of great beauty and danger. In these stories, útlimir are often associated with the home of the gods, the giants, or the dead, and are seen as a place of both wonder and peril. The útlimir are an important part of Icelandic folklore and mythology, representing the boundaries and limits of the world, and the connection between different realms and beings.