In Norse mythology, the creation story is vividly described in the Eddas and sagas, particularly in the Prose Edda written by Snorri Sturluson. According to these ancient texts, in the beginning, there was only a great void called Ginnungagap. To the north of this void was Niflheim, a realm of ice and mist, while to the south was Muspelheim, a realm of fire. As the heat from Muspelheim met the cold from Niflheim in Ginnungagap, it created drops of water that formed into Ymir, the first frost giant, and Audhumla, a primeval cow.
From Ymir's sweat, more giants were born, while Audhumla licked the salty ice, revealing Búri, the first god. Búri's grandson Odin and his brothers Vili and Vé eventually slew Ymir and used his body to create the world. They fashioned the earth from his flesh, the mountains from his bones, the trees from his hair, and the sky from his skull. The gods then created the first humans, Ask and Embla, from two tree trunks found on the shore. This creation myth reflects the Norse worldview of a universe born from the interplay of opposing forces and shaped by the actions of both giants and gods.
Audhumla and the creation of the Ginnungagap
The Creation of Humans: Ask and Embla
The Shaping of Midgard by Odin, Vili, and Vé