The Timeless Gift of Idun’s Apples
In honor of National Storytelling Week, we delve into the enchanting story from Norse mythology about Idun, known as Iðunn in Old Norse. Recognized as the goddess of youth and the guardian of golden apples that offer eternal vitality, Idun’s name literally translates to “giver of eternal youth.” The myth suggests that the gods preserved their youthful vigor through her apples, leading to the popular adage about apples promoting health.
The Tale of Idun’s Apples
The tale unfolds with Loki, the notorious trickster, finding himself at odds with the giant Thiazi. To settle their dispute, Loki devised a plan to kidnap Idun and present her to the giant as a peace offering. He coaxed Idun into venturing into the forest, where Thiazi lay in wait, ultimately taking her to Jotunheim, the land of the giants.
As time went on, the absence of Idun’s life-sustaining apples began to take a toll on the gods, causing them to age and their hair to turn grey. Once the gods discovered that Loki was the culprit behind Idun’s abduction, they confronted him, demanding he either reclaim Idun or face dire consequences for his actions.
Using Freyja’s magical cloak, which transformed him into a falcon, Loki soared to Jotunheim with the intent of rescuing Idun. Upon arrival, he cleverly changed Idun and her golden apples into a nut and flew back to Asgard, clutching the nut with his talons. Thiazi, realizing Idun was missing, took to the skies in his eagle form, racing after Loki.
As Loki neared the safety of Asgard, the gods prepared for the giant’s attack. They arranged a pile of wood shavings to ignite as he approached. When Loki landed, the gods ignited the shavings, igniting Thiazi’s feathers as he attempted to breach their walls. Unable to escape the flames, Thiazi plummeted to the ground where he met his demise at the hands of the gods.
Nils Jakob Blommér captured this enchanting story in his painting, depicting the youthful Idun alongside Brage, the god of poetry and eloquence. Idun symbolizes rejuvenation among the Norse deities, gracefully portrayed holding her golden apples. Brage, in contrast, appears as an aged figure, complete with a flowing white beard and a golden harp. Blommér’s works draw heavily from Norse mythology, taking cues from Swedish folk traditions and the artistic motifs of Moritz von Schwind, reflecting his belief in the spiritual essence of nature.
Idun: The Guardian of Immortality
During National Storytelling Week, Suzanne Thomas and Jake Thomas, based in Shropshire, UK, were commissioned by Apples & People to narrate the story of Idun, Keeper of the Apples of Immortality. As a storyteller and folklorist, Suzanne, alongside musician Jake, combines storytelling with music, transporting audiences to realms filled with mythical creatures and captivating tales.
They created a performance titled “Idun, Keeper of the Apples of Immortality,” showcasing their artistry during this storytelling celebration.
