The race of giants, as the origin sagas of the Edda tell, is older than the divine race of the Æsir. There are two mighty tribes among the giants: the Thurses, meaning the Dry Ones, and the Jötnar, the Devourers. The latter dwell in Jötunheimr, also called Utgard, but also in clouds and waters, rocks and mountains, in ice and snow. Thiassi and Thym are storm and thunder giants; Witolf was a forest giant. The lord of the seas is Ægir, the Dreadful; he wears the Helm of Ægir, which no human can behold without turning to stone in terror. The king of the giants is Surtr with the flaming sword. The mightiest among them is called Utgard-Loki; not even the thunder god could overcome him. As they are of ancient lineage, many of them possess that primordial wisdom which Odin forever seeks. But the giants are mortal enemies of the Æsir. Magnificent sagas tell of the battles between them and the gods, among whom Thor was a particularly fierce adversary. On the day of Ragnarök, this ancient race will then fight the final battle with the Æsir.

All images from the ‘World Pictures’ edition