Ginnungagap, is in Norse Mythology the hollow realm at the beginning of world events. In primordial times, even before creation, Ginnungagap lay between the southern glowing Muspellsheim and the icy Niflheim in the north.
In Ginnungagap the ice streams (Elivagar) penetrating from the north melted in the embers coming from Muspellsheim in the south. In the clash of the elements the giant Ymir and the primeval cow Audhumbla (Gylfaginning, 5f.) were created, whereby the giant arose from drops, which drove from the Elivagar and grew together to this creature (Wafthrudnirlied, 31).
The three sons of Börr - the gods Odin, Vili and Vé - killed Ymir, placed him on the gulf Ginnungagap and from his corpse they formed Midgard, the world of men. With his hair they made the trees, with his flesh they made the earth, with his blood they filled the lakes and oceans, with his bones they raised the mountains and with his skull they made the sky. The larvae that had gnawed on the corpse were used to create the dwarves, including Nordri, Sudri, Austri and Westri, who supported the sky.
