Idun

Idun is the next name in the list of the most famous Norse goddesses. Idun was the goddess of spring and youth in Norse mythology. She was married to Bragi, the god of poetry and music, and the daughter of a dwarf named Ivald. Other gods and goddesses also flocked to her for assistance in becoming immortal because she was claimed to possess the apples of youth, which kept her youthful and beautiful forever.

The Norse sagas' "the kidnapping of Idun" has one of the most frequent references to Iðunn. In the events of this story, Loki was compelled to strike a deal with the enormous Thjazi, who had assumed the form of an eagle, in order to kidnap Idun and her apples and carry them to Jotunheim. Loki reluctantly agrees, tricking her into going with him by saying that there were more potent magical fruits there and that she should bring her own for comparison. The Aesir gods grew wrinkled and weak without her, feeling their youth slipping away. They threaten to kill him if he doesn't bring her back after learning that she was last seen with Loki. Loki was then given Freya's hawk feathers, enabling him to change into a hawk and fly to Jotunheim to save Idun. Fortunately for him, the giant had left his captive alone while he went fishing. Loki saw this as an opportunity to seize her and flee. The giant was furious when he came back and changed back into an eagle to pursue him. The other gods created a massive wall of kindling around the stronghold and lit it as soon as Loki entered as they were drawing closer to Asgard and the behemoth was quickly approaching Loki. The giant died after flying directly into the blazing flames because he was unable to slow down in time.

Iðunn 's origins in Proto-Indo-European religion and her connections to fertility are only two of the many theories surrounding her. Iunn has long been the subject of artwork and occasionally appears in contemporary popular culture.