Idun Other names:  Iduna, Idunn, Ithun, Y'dun Origin:   Northern Europe, Scandinavian   Goddesses & Heroines text

Hrana's Notes

In the scandinavian eddas, this goddess performed the same function as Hebe did for the Greeks: she fed the gods magical food that kept them young and hale.  The Norse gods and goddesses were not immortal; they relied on Idunn's magical apples to survive.  But once the evil Loki let Idunn and her apples fall into the hands of the enemies of the gods, the giants who lived in the fortress of Jotunheim.  The divinities immediately began to age and weaken.  Charged with reclaiming the goddess of youth and strength, Loki flew to Jotenheim in the form of a falcon, turned Idunn into a walnet, and carried her safely home.