Jormungandr

Overview

Jormungandr first appears under the cat illusion in the Utgarda-Loki tests and later directly bites Thor’s hook in the Hymir fishing story. This story establishes Thor’s encounter with the serpent without deciding the final outcome.

Key facts

Relationships

• Lokifather of

  Gylfaginning 34 lists Jormungandr among the children of Loki and Angrboda.

• Angrbodamother of

  Chapter 34 says Angrboda bears Jormungandr with Loki.

• Odincasts into the deep sea

  Odin casts Jormungandr into the deep sea around the lands.

• Midgardencircles

  Jormungandr grows in the deep sea until he encircles all lands and bites his own tail.

• Thorlifts cat illusion

  The cat Thor tries to lift is actually Jormungandr encircling the world.

• Thor Fishing for the Serpenthooks the serpent

  Thor uses an ox head as bait and hooks Jormungandr.

• Hymircuts the line

  Hymir cuts the line, letting Jormungandr sink back into the sea.

• Ragnarokcomes ashore

  Jormungandr writhes violently, driving the sea over land and entering the doom scene.

• Thorkills the serpent

  Thor kills Jormungandr.

• Thorkills by venom

  After killing the serpent, Thor walks only nine paces before dying from its venom.

• Thorhooks with an ox head

  Thor uses the ox head to pull the world-serpent to the boat and strike it with his hammer.

Story appearances

• Thor and the Giant-World TestsJormungandr

  Chapter 47 reveals that the cat Thor lifted was Jormungandr.

• RagnarokSerpent who rises and kills Thor

  Jormungandr drives the sea over land and finally dies with Thor.

• Hymiskvitha: Kettle, Serpent, and FeastFigure, object, or place in Hymiskvitha

  Chapter 47 reveals that the cat Thor lifted was Jormungandr.

Ancient sources

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

• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning chapter 47, Utgarda-Loki reveals Logi as fire, Hugi as thought, the horn as the sea, the cat as Jormungandr and Elli as old age
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning chapter 48, Thor and Hymir fish for Jormungandr and Hymir cuts the line
• Anonymous, Poetic Edda, Hymiskvitha, Poetic Edda, Hymiskvitha, Bellows stanzas 17-25, Thor takes an ox head as bait and draws up Jormungandr
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 51, sun and moon swallowed, stars vanish, earth shakes, fetters break, Fenrir is freed and Jormungandr comes ashore
• Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Gylfaginning, Chapter 51, Odin and Fenrir, Vidar’s vengeance, Thor and Jormungandr, Freyr and Surtr, Tyr and Garm, Loki and Heimdall