To honor National Storytelling Week, we delve into the enchanting tale from Norse mythology about Idun, or Iðunn in Old Norse, who embodies youth and safeguards the vital golden apples. Her name translates to “giver of eternal youth,” and these apples bestow vitality upon the Norse gods, allowing them to maintain their youthful energy. The saying ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ is believed to derive from the apple’s symbolic association with health within Norse lore.
The Tale of the Golden Apples
In the realm of Norse myths, the mischievous Loki found himself in a scuffle with the giant Thiazi. To resolve the conflict, he vowed to abduct Idun and hand her over to Thiazi. Loki cunningly led Idun to a secluded area of the forest, where the giant awaited her, subsequently taking her to Jotunheim, the land inhabited by giants.
As time wore on, the absence of Idun’s apples caused the gods to rapidly age, their hair slowly turning grey. Upon being caught for his treachery, Loki was faced with a daunting ultimatum: either surrender his life or bring Idun and her life-giving apples back to Asgard. Seizing Freyja’s magical cloak that transformed him into a falcon, Loki flew to Jotunheim determined to rescue Idun. Upon arrival, he enchanted Idun and her apples into a nut and made his swift return to Asgard.
When Thiazi, who had been out fishing, returned to discover Idun missing, he assumed the form of an eagle to pursue her quickly. As Loki approached the lofty walls of Asgard with the nut clasped in his talons, the gods prepared to defend their realm by stacking a mound of wood shavings at the base of the walls.
As Loki landed securely within the fortress, the gods ignited the wood shavings. Thiazi, in his eagerness to reach Loki, couldn’t avoid the fire, causing his feathers to ignite and leading to a crash landing, where the gods ultimately defeated him.
The artwork by Nils Jakob Blommér captures Idun, the youthful goddess, accompanying her spouse Brage, the god of poetry and eloquence, famed among skalds for his artistry. Idun also symbolizes spring and renewal; her portrayal in Blommér’s work features her handling the revered apples, while Brage is depicted as an elder, characterized by his flowing white hair and beard, strumming the golden harp. Blommér’s renowned artwork often drew from Norse mythology, folklore, and influences from the folk songs of Sweden, as well as the visual motifs of Austrian artist Moritz von Schwind. He perceived nature as having a soul, often visible through folk figures.
Idun, Guardian of Immortality
In celebration of National Storytelling Week, the Apples & People initiative commissioned Suzanne Thomas, a storyteller and folklorist, and musician Jake Thomas. They utilize the ancient Bardic Tradition to intertwine storytelling and music, transporting audiences to mythical worlds brimming with dragons and giants and whimsical creatures dancing with humans. Together, they recount the thrilling saga of Idun, the Guardian of the Apples of Immortality.
The performance of ‘Idun, Keeper of the Apples of Immortality’ was beautifully rendered by Suzanne and Jake Thomas, highlighting the timeless appeal of Idun’s tale.
