Fornjótr

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Fornjótr is an ancient giant in Norse mythology, the father of Kári (wind), of Logi (fire), and of Ægir(the ruler of the sea).

Fornjótr is listed as a Jǫtunn in one of the thulur, sometimes included in editions of the Skáldskaparmál. This is as expected, since Fornjótr's son Ægir is also identified as a giant in various sources.

Etymology

The meaning of the name is not clear, It might possibly be from forn ('old') + jótr ('Jutlander') or more likely the word for 'giant' (Finnish 'jätti', Norse 'jotunn' - giant) or might be from for ('early') + njótr ('destroyer').

Genealogy

Fornjótr is also, following a particular legendary genealogical tradition, the first-known direct paternal ancestor of William I of England and also through other supposed descendants a terminal ancestor of ascending branches of many European noble families and modern Icelandic families.

In Texts

Fornjótr is mentioned only twice in old verse: in stanza 29 of Ynglingatal where "son of Fornjót" seems to refer to fire and in a citation in Snorri Sturluson's Skáldskaparmál:

How should the wind be periphrased? Thus: call it son of Fornjót, Brother of the Sea and of Fire, Scathe or Ruin or Hound or Wolf of the Wood or of the Sail or of the Rigging.

Thus spake Svein in the Nordrsetu-drápa:

First began to fly
Fornjót's sons ill-shapen.

In the Orkneyinga saga and in Hversu Noregr byggdist ('How Norway was settled')—both found in the Flatey Book—Fornjótr appears as an ancient ruler of Finland and Kvenland. He is the father of three sons named Ægir or Hlér, Logi 'flame', and Kári. The Hversu account says further that Hlér ruled over the seas, Logi over fire, and Kári over wind.

In Popular Culture

• One of the planet Saturn's moons is named after him.

Family

Jǫtunn genealogy in Norse mythology

Names in Bold are Jǫtnar/Gýgr

Names in Italics are Gods/Goddesses

Ymir                                                   Þrúðgelmir                                                   Bergelmir                                                                                                                                         Bǫlþorn   Naglfari     Narfi   Dellingr       Aurgelmir       Fornjótr   Alvaldi                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Mímir                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Iði   Gangr   Þjazi                                                                     Bestla   Borr         Nótt           Dagr   Fárbauti   Laufey   Kári   Logi   Rán   Ægir   Gymir   Aurboða                                                                                                                                                                   Sister of Njǫrðr   Njǫrðr   Skaði                             Vili         Auðr             Annarr   Helblindi   Býleistr           Glǫð     Eisa and Eimyrja   Nine Maidens                                                                                                                                             Gerðr   Freyr             Vé                                     Sigyn           Loki         Angrboða   Heimdallr                                                                                                                                                                               Óðinn   Jǫrð                     Narfi   Váli         Jǫrmungandr   Hel   Fenrir   Hyrrokkin                                                                                                                 Þórr   Sif                     Svaðilfari                                                                                                                               Sleipnir                 Skǫll   Hati Hróðvitnisson               Þrúðr Frigg

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