Ymir (Aurgelmir)

The first primeval giant was generally known as Ymir. The frost-giants called him Aurgelmir. Ymir was the first creature created in the universe. Ymir was the father of the race of frost-giants. The frost-giants were born from the sweat of his armpits.

First, Ymir was the father of a six-headed giant (unnamed) that was nourished by a giant cow, Audumla. Audumla found nourishment through licking stones. One of the stones was shaped like a man, which became the primeval god named Buri. Buri was the father of another primeval god (or giant), Bor. Bor and Bestla became parents of the three gods: Odin, Vili and Ve.

Odin and his brothers, Vili and Ve, killed Ymir. They used his body to create the world (universe). His skull was used to create the heavens and his eyebrows were used to create Midgard, or Middle Earth, home of mankind.

Ymir was also the father of Thrudgelmir and the grandfather of Bergelmer.