My name is Usana Castellanos de su Huiria and I want to welcome you to
a new episode of Sherezade stories. Today, continuing with Nordic mythology, we
will speak of Idun, the beautiful goddess possessing the apples of eternal youth.
Idun is the personification of spring or eternal youth, which, according to some
scholars of mythology, had not had a birth and would never experience death.
He was warmly welcomed by the gods when he made an act of presence in
Nasgard with Braggi to ensure his affection. She promised them a daily bite of
the wonderful apples she wore in her case and that they had the power to
bestow the youth of eternal beauty on all those who tasted them. The golden
apples in your garden will give you a youthful dowry if you eat them every
day. Thanks to that magical fruit, the Nordic gods, who had emerged
from a mixture of groups, were not all immortal, avoided the passage of
time and disease for them and remained energetic, beautiful and young for countless decades.
Consequently, these apples were considered a valuable possession and were carefully treasured in
their magic chest. No matter the number of them extracting the same number that
always gave inside the box to be distributed in the feast of the gods.
The only ones she allowed to be tasted even though dwarfs and giants were eager
to possess the brilliant fruits idun maiden immortal standing on the portal of Valhala.
In his chest he keeps a lot of extraordinary golden apples, such apples that
are not earthly to the ancient gods aecios allows to be reborn again one day.
Odin Onir and Loki undertook one of their usual excursions to the land and,
after wandering for a long period of time, they reached a desert region
where they could not find a place to stay. Tired and very hungry,
the gods, after perceiving a herd of good, killed one of the animals
and, lighting a fire, sat next to the bonfire to rest for a
while. While the meat was cooking for her surprise. However, despite the
flames, the meat remained rather raw. In conclusion, it should be a
work of magic. They looked around to find out what was making cooking difficult
when they spotted an eagle inn on a tree above them. Seeing that he
was the object of the travelers' suspicion, the bird turned to them and
admitted that it was he who had prevented the fire from doing its work,
but he promised to withdraw the spell if they gave him as much food as
they could devour. The gods agreed, after which the eagle descended by arousing
the fire with the beating of its huge wings, after which the flesh was
quickly roasted. The eagle then set out to take three quarters of the ox
as its portion, which seemed too much to Loki, who was born a
great stake that was at hand near him, and began to shovel the bird
bars, forgetting that he was endowed with magical powers for his consternation. One
of the ends of the stake was attached to the eagle' s back and
the other to his hands, after which he was dragged over the stones and
through the bush and sometimes through the air. With his arms almost torn from
his shoulders. In vain, he asked for mercy and implored the eagle to
release him. The bird kept flying until Loki promised him any ransom that his
prisoner could ask for in exchange for his freedom. The apparent eagle, which
was the giant of the storm. Tiazi finally agreed to release Loki on one
condition. He made him promise, by the most solemn of oaths, that
he would take Idun to the outside of Asgard so that Tiazi could take possession
of her and her magic fruit. Finally released, Loki returned to Odin and
Oir, whom, however, he took great care not to tell them what
had happened and how they had obtained their freedom. Once they were back in
Astgard, he began a plan with which he could induce Idun to go outside
the dwelling place of the gods. A few days later, while Braggia was
absent from one of her juglars, Loki searched for Idun in the brun Nag
groves, where she had built her residence. After cleverly describing the apples growing
at a short distance, which he had stated with mendacity that they were exactly
the same as hers, he induced her to leave Asgard with a glass plate
full of fruit that he intended to compare to those he had linked. However,
as soon as he left and where Asgard, the liar Loki abandoned her
and before he could return to the shelter of the heavenly abode, the giant
Tiazi quickly descended from the north on his eagle wings and, after catching her
with his cruel claws, carried her quickly to her arid and desolate home in
Triamheim. Tremheim. The sixth is called the place where Tias lives the mighty
all- powerful giant Jotum isolated from his beloved companions and Dun languished and became
sad and pale, although he continued to persistently refuse to allow Tiaz the slightest
bite of his magic fruit, which, as he well knew, would give
him beauty and renew his youth and strength. All the misfortunes that fall on
the Odin Palace have their origin in the Bill Loki. It was he who,
to the outside of the Portal del Valhalla, led out to the pure
Idum, whose beautiful chest contained exceptional apples that returned immortal to the gods and
which was locked in the tower of Tiasi. Time passed the gods thinking that
Idun was in the company of her husband and that he would soon return.
They did not pay attention to the sour principle, but little by little the
beneficial effects of the last apple banquet disappeared. They began to notice the passage
of time and to see how their youth and beauty disappeared. As a result,
alarmed began the search for the missing goddess. Conclusive investigations revealed that he
had been last seen in the company of Loki and when Odin ordered him severely
to explain himself, he was forced to admit that he had betrayed her to
the power of the storm giant with his mocking and scornful countenance. Soon it
was seen in Valhalla that it had been the flints of the traitor Loki who
had led Idun to the dark tower in the possession of the Jotun. The
attitude of the gods became very threatening and it was obvious to Loki that if
he did not devise ways to recover the goddess and soon his life would be
in considerable danger. Consequently, he assured the indignant gods that he would spare
no effort to secure the liberation of Idún and by borrowing the plumage of the
frey hawk, flew to Tenheim, where he found idun alone, lamenting sadly
his exile from Asgard and his beloved Braggi, transforming the goddess into a nut,
according to some versions, or, according to others, into a swallow,
which held her tightly between his claws and then quickly set out on the
way back to Asgard, hoping to reach the shelter of his high walls before
Tiasis returned from the fishing trip in the North Seas to which he had gone.
Meanwhile, the gods had gathered on the walls of the heavenly city and
waited for Loki' s return with much more restlessness than he had felt when
Odin had left in search of od Roney, remembering the success of his gem
strata. On that occasion they had gathered large fuel cells, which were ready
to be lit at any time. They saw Loki appear and suddenly, but
they spotted a large island in its wake. This was the giant Tiazi,
who had suddenly returned to Treamheim, discovering that a hawk had taken his prisoner
bird in which he easily recognized one of the gods, dressing himself quickly with
his eagle feathers. He rushed quickly into his pursuit as he went, reaching
little by little, but very quickly to his prey. Lochis redoubled his efforts
as the walls of Asgard approached and before Tiaz and reached him, he reached
his goal and fell exhausted among the gods. Not a single moment was it
missed to set fire to the accumulated fuel and as Tiaz passed over the walls,
the flames and fire led them to the badly wounded and half- blown
ground. Easy prey for the gods, who fell on him mercilessly and killed
him. The gods, in hectic, rejoiced greatly at the ransom of Idun
and ran to eat from the precious apples that she had brought back and unharmed
feeling that her customary strength and beauty returned to every bite. They affably declared
that it was no surprise that even the giants wished to taste the apples of
eternal youth. Therefore, they swore that they would place your eyes so in
heaven as a constellation to soften any feelings of anger that your relatives might feel
when they discovered that you had been killed upwards, throwing the eyes of the
son of Albald into the serene sky. They are the signs of the greatest
among my exploits. The physical explanation of this myth is obvious and dun The
emblem of vegetation is removed from strength. In autumn, when Braggi is absent
and the songs of the birds have ceased the cold winter wind Tiasi retains her
in its cold and desolate north, where she cannot prosper until Loki. The
southern wind brings back the seed or swallow, both of which are the forerunners
of spring’ s return. The youth, beauty and strength conferred by Idun
are symbolic of the resurrection of nature in spring after the lethargy of winter,
when colour and vigor return to the earth, it had wrinkled and become gray.
We see that this account reminds us of other accounts, that of Persephone,
when he returns to Earth after his season in Hades, that of Shtar
of the Sumerian Rulatos Babilonianos, who was also trapped for a time in the
aral Ugo world of his dead by his sister was skigal and who was forced
to glean by the gods to let go again to be. Then we see
that this is a recurring theme in many mythologys and among the Nordics. The
female character, the bearer of nature, the spring life, is also going
to be in the underworld and one falls into the underworld, since the disappearance
of Idún, which is the vegetation itself, in an annual event. We
can expect to find other myths that deal with the striking phenomenon. There is
another favorite of poets, which, unfortunately, has come to us only in
a fragmented, very incomplete form. According to this version, idun was once
seated on the branches of the sacred ash of Igi Brazil, when suddenly fading,
loosened his grip and plummeted to the ground below it to the most insurmountable
depths of Nefelheim. There he lay pale and motionless, staring with eyes fixed
and full of terror. The s horrid waves seen of the gel Kingdom shaking
violently. Meanwhile, as someone overcome by a penetrating cold in the valleys,
dwells the sensational dis from the Iggdrasil, the fallen ash of the wild breed.
The name Idun, the youngest among the older sons of Ivaldi, was
not able to bear her descent under the antrich trunk of the tree. Confined,
she would not be happy with Norvi' s daughter accustomed to a more
pleasant dwelling at home, seeing that she did not return Odin ordered Braggi,
Heimgal and other gods to go in search of her, ordering them a white
wolf' s skin with which they could tuck her in so that she would
not suffer the cold and asking them to use all their efforts to awaken her
from the stupor of her that lends the essence. She had been told that
she had been taken by a wolf' s skin, and she had been
given a wolf' s skin in which she tucked herself. Idon passively allowed
the gods to tuck her in the fall wolf' s skin, but she
persistently refused to speak or move and her strange behavior, sadly suspected her husband
that she had experienced a vision of great misfortunes. Tears continually ran down his
pale cheeks and Braggi, overwhelmed by his sadness, asked the other gods to
return to Asgard without him, swearing that he would remain with his wife until
she was ready to leave the gloomy kingdom of Gel. The vision of his
pain oppressed him so much that he had no heart for his usual joyful songs
and the strings of his harp remained silent, while he remained in the underworld.
That cephire as forest, slips between the flowery plasderas, like Braggi'
s music, when he rips the cords of his harp in this myth,
the fall of Idún is symbolic of the autumn fall of the leaves lying flaccid
is sheltered on the cold and the ground floor until the snow hides them from
the sight represented by the skin of the wolf that Odin, the sky sends
to maintain the tempered and the cessation of the songs of the birds is subsequently
represented with the silence of the harp of Bragi. The terrible vision of Idun
was the dreadful vision of the sunset of the gods, the ragnaro. We
have then that Idun is a goddess in Nordic ntology, known for her role
as guardian of the apples of eternal youth that keep the young and vigorous gods.
His figure has inspired both artists and poets over the centuries in art,
for example, and one has been portrayed in numerous works of art over the
years. One of the most well- known representations is Penrose' s painting
and Apples, where Idun is shown with his golden apples, symbolizing youth and
vitality in sculptures and a jellyfish is depicted with apples in his hand, emphasizing
his crucial role in Nordic mythology. Examples of idum sculptures can be found in
several Scandinavian art museums also in illustrations and engravings. Artists like Carl Larson and
Ills Plommer have created illustrations that capture the essence of idune and its connection to
eternal youth. These illustrations often appear in books and magazines dealing with Nordic mythology,
in poetry, of course, in the poetic era and in the proseic
age and in an Appears in these collections of poems and prose of Icelandic mythology,
which are the primary sources of Nordic mythology. These texts tell stories about
how Iduna and its apples are essential to the vitality of the gods also in
modern poetry, because contemporary poets have found inspiration and nedul For example, Scandinavian
poets of the 19th and 20th century, like Victor Riberg, have written about
it and also explore its symbolism and mythological importance. Then, the figure of
Idun continues to be a source of inspiration in modern popular culture. Her image
and symbolism appear in novels, films, video games, where she is often
portrayed as a powerful figure who possesses the secret of immortality, that precious secret
that we can compare with other stories, such as the elixir of the Holy
Grail. In addition, we return to the theme of the apple as a
symbolic element. We know that, popularly, the garden tree of Eden had
an apple. It comes in the Bible. You talk about a fruit.
What has remained in the popular imagination is that it was an apple. There
were apples in the garden of the Hesperides, too. Then the apple is
a symbolic fruit that appears recurrently in different cultures and then is a lasting symbol
of youth and renewal. His presence in art and poetry underscores the cultural and
mythological importance throughout the times. Victor Ribert, a 19th- century Swedish poet
and writer, extensively addressed Nordic mythology in his work and, in particular,
Gaibert wrote his beidun in his book The Saga of the Ancient Gods, which
was published in one thousand eight hundred and eighty- seven, describing Idun as
the goddess of youth and fertility. Then, Ralberg speaks of Idun as the
guardian of the apples of youth and emphasizes the crucial role of Idun, as
the protector of these apples of eternal youth, without which the Nordic gods would
grow old, would lose their vigor. It describes how these apples are essential
to maintain the vitality of the gods. In his text he says so and
Dun always left her with her golden apples. It is the eternal hope of
the gods. Each bite of its fruits is a promise of immortality and vitality,
a connection to the very essence of life. Rivet uses Idun to symbolize
hope and eternity by highlighting how his apples are more than mere fruits, but
a metaphor of immortality and continuity. Ribert Daydun' s interpretation focuses on his
central role in Nordic mythology as a giver of life and youth, vene of
a symbol of human hope and desire for constant renewal, a figure that transcends
myths to speak about universal human aspects, such as the yearning for immortality.
In other words, Radbert not only narrates the myths associated with iduncio, but
also deepens its symbolism, highlighting its relevance both in the myth l g día
and in the daily life of people. On the other hand, another scholar
of Nordic mythology, Gerbert tells the story of Idun poetically and says she and
Dung, the beautiful goddess sat in her garden always attentive to the golden apples
that gave eternal youth to the gods. Without it, old age would draw
the Asgardians or gods of Asgard and their power would wane. There is also
a symbolic reference to the playwright Henrik Ibsen, in his poem Ballongeen says high
on earth and idun down there that in his garden with apples there are fleeting
clouds between the sky and the sea. The fruits of youth in flourishing forests.
And Edith Sodergan, although he does not directly mention ilun in his subjects
resonate with the symbolism of the goddess and says we, the women who possess
the eternal secret of youth, know what life is and how it should be
We see then that there are several references such as that of Ji Prats that
in Titanic Prat alludes to immortality and tragedy and says with the goddess of youth,
watching over the damned. The ship a titan sank into the abyss,
carrying with it the dreams of men And so, of course, Snorri stulson
in the poetic era to write to Idune and his apples and a possession,
the apples that the gods must eat when they age to become young again.
And so it will be until the Ragner. Also the English poet William Morris,
touches on mythological Nordic themes in his work The Early Paradise and, although
they do not mention Iduna, specifically evokes the symbolism of youth and renewal,
saying in an eternal garden where golden apples grow eternal youth is among the green
leaves a promise of endless life. The English poet Thomas Grey, in his
poem Descendants of Odin, alludes to Nordic mythology, including figures like Idún,
saying there in the sacred Asgard, where Idún keeps his golden apples, the
secret of youth and vitality. Then these quotations and examples show how different poets
have integrated the figure of Idune and his symbolism into his works, contributing to
keeping alive the relevance of this goddess in contemporary literature. And this goddess,
moreover, can be compared with a character from other viewpoints who share similar attributes,
for example, with Ebe, who is a Greek goddess. Idon would
be the guardian of the apples of youth in Nordic mythology, ensuring the eternal
youth of the gods and Eve in Greek mythology. It is the goddess,
youth and cup, serving as an ambrosia nectar to the Olympic gods, which
guarantees them eternal youth. Then we see that both goddesses are associated with eternal
youth to renewal, providing a vital element to the gods of their respective mythologys.
Vazir in Nordic mythology and ambrosia in Greece, then ambrosia and vazir in
Greek mythology. Ambrosia is the food of the gods that keeps them eternally young
and vigorous, and it will zir, as we have seen in these episodes,
is a Nordic being created from the saliva of the gods and their blood.
It becomes the poetic hydromel that grants wisdom and poetry. So, both
ambrosia and poetic hydromel are mythological elements that provide immortality or special attributes to the
gods. Somehow similar to the role of Idun apples. But we can also
establish a comparison with Sarasbatti in India, as Idún represents renewal and youth in
Nordic mythology and is discussed in Hindu mythology Es. The goddess, knowledge,
music, arts, wisdom, nature is associated with fluidity and renewal of knowledge
and creativity. Then we can compare it. Although the main functions of saras
Batidum are different, both represent aspects of renewal and vitality in their given cultures.
These comparisons illustrate how the figure of Idun, with his association with eternal
youth and renewal, find parallels in other mythological traditions that also value the vitality
and immortality of the gods. Then, Idune' s figure in Nordic mythology
represents a profound archetype and symbolism that transcend his role as guardian of the apples
of youth and thus, of course, have the eternal story of vitality.
But constant renewal the promise of an endless life and these elements are desirable for
both gods and humans. It also has a role as a symbol of renewal
and of the cycle of sustruto life symbolize the idea that life is constantly renewed,
that old age and death can be overcome or at least delayed. And
it' s also a symbol of care and protection. Her responsibility to keep
the apples of youth makes her a guardian of the health and well- being
of the gods. This can be interpreted as a symbol of the importance of
caring for and protecting that which gives us vitality and life. On the other
hand, the desire of the gods for the apples of idum reflects the human
longing for immortality and the search for eternal youth. In this regard, I
add that it resonates with the human nature of wanting to overcome the limits of
mortality. Then the iron apples are a symbol of nature' s power to
maintain and restore life. This minimal aspect highlights the connection between the Nordic gods
and the natural world. Emphasizing the importance of living in harmony with nature.
We can say that there is one representing an archetype of renewal, vitality,
protection that resonates with the human aspiration to live a full and eternal life.
Its history reminds us of the importance of caring for and valuing our health and
vitality, as well as the intrinsic connection between humanity and nature. We can
also mention that it is very important for the Community, because in Yus it
not only provides youth to the gods individually, but its role contributes to the
well- being and continuity of the community of gods. This highlights the importance
of community and mutual care in Nordic mythology also makes us reflect on the fragility
of eternal youth. Although Idum represents eternal youth, his abduction by Tiazi and
the consequent old age of the gods show that even the longest youth can be
threatened. This could be interpreted as a lesson about the fragility of what we
consider safe and consistent with life. Also the relationship between human gods through their
history and gift also symbolizes the connection between gods and humans. His role as
a provider of youth to the gods can be interpreted as a metaphor of how
divine forces influence the life and vitality of humans, so we see that we
can see this figure from different angles. To conclude, we can also speak
of the apple as a rich and varied symbol that appears many cultures and traditions
throughout history, and each imbues it with unique meanings. We can say,
for example, that in Nordic mythology it is Taidune and the apples of youth,
which are essential to the gods, who speak to us of immortal and
vitality, immortality and vitality. Also in Greek mythology, golden apples in the
garden of the Esperides are a symbol of immortality and abundance. Heracles or Hercules,
if we remember other episodes, must steal these apples as one of his
twelve works, symbolizing the search for immortality and overcoming impossible challenges. The Paris
trial also refers to the apple, as it was the golden apple of discord,
also known as the apple of Ris. It' s another famous apple
of Greek mythology. This apple was the indirect cause of the Trojan War,
when Eris threw it into that marriage which, if any one was of Poseidonian,
Pitrity and, according to others, of Peleo and Tetis. And anyway,
the apple said for the most beautiful and provoked a terrible dispute between the
goddesses was atheistic and aphrodite, which led to the trial of Paris and eventually
to the Trojan War. In tradition, so to speak, Judeo- Christian,
there is the forbidden fruit, although it is not specified as an apple.
In genesis, the forbidden fruit of the tree, knowledge, good and
evil is often depicted as an apple. In art and in Christian culture.
This fruit symbolizes original sin, knowledge and temptation. In Celtic mythology it is
found on the island of apples. Aolon is a mystical island where apples grow
in abundance and are said to be a place of eternal healing and rest.
Apples, in this context, symbolize immortality and the other world. In Chinese
tradition, apple and peace. In Chinese, the word for apple is similar
to the word for peace. Therefore, apples often symbolize peace, tranquility and
the In Chinese culture, in fairy tales and European folklore, for example,
in Snow White. The apple in the Snow White tale is a symbol of
temptation and deception. The Evil Queen uses a poisoned apple to try to get
rid of Snow White, symbolizing hidden dangers. Behind the seemingly attractive. In
Native American mythology are apples and health. In some Native American traditions, apples
are a symbol of health and longevity. They are associated with healing and wellness
rituals. In modern symbolism we can say that the apple has become a symbol
of knowledge and education, especially in the context of giving an apple to the
teacher. This may be related to Newton' s idea and the apple,
which symbolizes discovery and scientific curiosity. Then we see that the apple is a
symbol in different odes the culture stands out for its verse, quality, its
ability to represent a wide range of concepts, from immortality and youth to temptation
and knowledge. In each cultural context, the apple is enriched with specific nuances
and meanings, reflecting the beliefs and values of societies that adopt it as a
symbol. But we can always shorten the apple like the one carried by the
goddess Idun and carried immortality. I hope you' ve enjoyed this episode and
I hope we' ll meet again in a next episode of hercesal stories,
where we' ll continue to talk about Nordic mythology, a hug and see
you soon.