Ginnungagap

Ginnungagap ( pronunciation [gin uŋgagap ː ], Old Norse, gap ginnunga, " divide the cracks", " gaping canyon " ) also called Himthusen, is in the Edda, the empty space at the beginning of world events. In primitive times, even before the creation, Ginnungagap lay between the southern glowing Muspellsheim and the icy Niflheim in the north.

In Ginnungagap the invading from the north ice streams ( Elivagar ) melted in the coming from the south Muspellsheim embers. In the clash between the elements of the giant Ymir and created the primeval cow Audhumbla ( Gylfaginning, 5f. ), Where the giant arose from drops that came out of the Elivagar and this creature grew together ( Wafthrudnirlied, 31).

The three sons of stock exchanges - the gods Odin, Vili and Ve - slew Ymir, put him in the chasm Ginnungagap and formed from its constituents the world ( Gylfaginning, 8).

Comparable to the Ginnungagap are the Greek chaos and the Jewish hullabaloo.