MMythWeaveNorse Mythology Library
Creature

Audhumla

The primeval cow who nourishes Ymir and licks Buri out of salty ice.

Norse Lichen iron editorial illustration of Audhumla for the atlas detail view.
MythWeave AI-generated editorial illustration, Norse portrait v1 full approved batch

Overview

Audhumla appears with Ymir in chapter 5. Four rivers of milk nourish Ymir, while she licks salty, rime-covered stones until Buri’s form appears over three days. These two actions connect her to both giant life and divine ancestry, but the text does not make her Buri’s mother.

Key facts

Milk nourishes Ymir

Chapter 5 says four rivers of milk flow from Audhumla, and Ymir is nourished from them.

Licks Buri from the ice

She licks the salty stones: hair appears the first day, a head the second, and all of Buri the third.

Relationships

  • Ymirnourishes

    Audhumla’s milk nourishes the newly emerged Ymir.

  • Burireveals Buri

    Audhumla licks salty ice, and Buri appears over three days.

Story appearances

Ancient sources

MythWeave distinguishes ancient-source evidence from later adaptations and modern interpretation.

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