Where Does the Wind Come From?

Where does the unseen wind begin?

We cannot see the wind, yet it is strong enough to stir the great sea and make a fire burn more fiercely. In Gylfaginning, a question about this mysterious wind is answered with a story about a giant.

At the northern edge of heaven sits a giant named Hraesvelg. He has the shape of an eagle. When he moves his wings to take flight, wind rushes out from beneath them. The Sayings of Vafthrudnir also says that wind comes from the wings of a giant at the edge of heaven.

The seasons have fathers too. In The Sayings of Vafthrudnir, summer's father is Svasud and winter's father is Vindsval. In Gylfaginning, winter's father is also called Vindloni.

Summer's father lives a happy life. His name gave rise to a word for things that are gentle and pleasant. Winter's father, however, comes from a fierce, coldhearted family. Winter has inherited their nature.

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