:''This article is about a mythological figure.''
★ ''For the software, see Aegir (software);''
★ ''for the moon of Saturn, see
Aegir (moon);''
★ ''for the
tidal bore on the English River Trent see
River Trent.''
----
'Ægir' is a
giant and a king of the sea in
Norse mythology. He seems to be a personification of the power of the
ocean. He was also known for hosting elaborate parties for the
gods. In
Snorri Sturluson's ''
Skáldskaparmál'', Ægir is identified with 'Gymir' and 'Hlér' who lived on the isle of
Hlésey. The prose header of ''
Lokasenna'' states that his hall is a place of sanctuary lit with bright gold and where the beer pours itself.
While many verions of myths portray him as a
jotun, it is curious that many do not. In some texts, he is referred to as something older than the jotun, and his origins are not really explained.
'Gymir', it may be noticed, is also the name of the giant father of the beautiful maiden
Gerd (the wife of
Freyr) as well as the husband of
Aurboða.
Another link between the Æsir and the sea giants is found in
Hymir, who is said in ''
Hymiskviða'' to be the father of
Týr.
Ægir is said to have had
nine daughters with his wife,
Rán. His daughters were called the billow maidens. They were named Bára, Blóðughadda, Bylgja, Dúfa, Hefring, Himinglæva, Hrönn, Kólga, and Unnr. The names of each reflect different characteristics of ocean waves.
Ægir is a son of
Fornjótr, a giant and a king of
Finland, and brother of
Logi (fire, flame) and
Kári (wind). In ''Lokasenna'', he hosts a party for the gods where he provides the ale brewed in an enormous pot or cauldron provided by
Thor. The story of Thor getting the pot for the brewing is told in ''Hymiskviða''.
Ægir had two servants,
Fimafeng (killed by
Loki) and
Eldir.
Familiar forms
Ægir's name is sometimes
anglicized as "Aegir" or "Aeger". The common Swedish form is Ägir.