Creature

Gunnlod

Suttungr's daughter, placed at Hnitbjorg to guard the poetic mead.

MythWeave AI-generated editorial illustration, Poetic Mead batch

Overview

Gunnlod is Suttungr's daughter, set by her father to guard the poetic mead hidden at Hnitbjorg. After Odin enters the rock as Bolverkr, the source says that he stays with her for three nights and that she permits three draughts. It does not state her inner motive, so her role remains with the guard, meeting and permission the passage describes.

Key facts

Guards Hnitbjorg

Suttungr places Gunnlod at Hnitbjorg to watch the mead.

Permits three draughts

The source says that after Odin stays three nights with her, she allows him three draughts of mead.

Relationships

Suttungrappoints as guardian
Suttungr sets his daughter Gunnlod to guard the poetic mead hidden at Hnitbjorg.
Odinpermits three draughts
Gunnlod permits Odin three draughts of mead, and each one empties a vessel.

Story appearances

Odin and the Poetic MeadGuardian in the mountain
Gunnlod guards the mead and, after three nights, permits Odin three draughts.

Ancient sources

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

Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Skaldskaparmal, Chapter 1: Kvasir, the dwarves' mead, Suttungr, Gunnlod, Baugi, Rati and Odin's return to Asgard

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