Why calling Jotunn/Jotnar ‘Frost Giants’ is Problematic (and Incorrect)

The jotnar (singular jotunn) are Scandinavian mythical humanoids. Often translated into English as ‘frost giants’, jotnar are far more diverse than this name suggests. Some jotnar are human sized so ‘giant’ is a misnomer to start with!

(As a side note, they are also known as risi, thurs and trolls, all of which are their own beings. Clear-cut categories didn’t really exist so there are plenty of overlaps in all Nordic legends.)

Some jotnar can accurately be labelled ‘frost giants’, but they are often related to jotnar who aren’t frosty whatsoever. This means that ‘frost giants’ aren’t a subset of jotnar but rather a description of the individual. Thus translating ‘jotunn’ as ‘frost giant’ is inaccurate, preventing the diversity of the jotnar mythology from being realised and appreciated.

One family of jotnar demonstrates this versatility well. Fornjotr, king of Jotlandi, was a jotnar who fathered Aegir (water), Logi (fire) and Kari (air). Often, Fornjotr is identified with Ymir, the first giant (who was a frost giant) whose body created the universe.

            Aegir is a sea jotunn (his name literally translates as ‘Sea’) who married Roan (the personification of the sea). Aegir represented the friendly power of the sea whereas Roan embodied the sea’s sinister side. Their nine daughters personified the waves and are sometimes identified as Heimdallr’s nine mothers.

            Kari (meaning ‘Wind’) fathered Frosti (‘Frost’) and Jokul (‘Icicle’ or ‘Glacier’). Kari’s latter child sired Snaerr inn Gimli (‘Snow the Old’).

            Logi, also known as Halogi (‘High Flame’) was the jotunn that personified fire. He married Glothd (‘Glowing Embers’). Perhaps the best known fire jotunn is Sutr (‘Black’ or ‘The Swarthy One’) who guards the realm of Muspellheim (‘Hot Glowing Fire’) with his fire sword.