Idun and the Apples of Eternal Youth

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Illustration

Celina Bebenek
by J. Doyle Penrose
published on 09 September 2021
Idun and the Apples of Eternal Youth Download Full Size Image

Idun and the Apples, oil on canvas by J. Doyle Penrose, 1890.

Private collection.

Idunn was a Norse goddess who was a guardian of the fruit (usually given as apples) that kept the gods of Asgard eternally young. For this reason, she was kidnapped by a giant named Þjazi who desired the eternal youth of gods. When she was kidnapped, the gods began to age and her rescue from the realm of Jotunheim (the location of giants) was of the utmost importance. Finally, she was released by the trickster Loki. From that time gods could enjoy youth till the times of the Ragnarök.

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Cite This Work

APA Style

Penrose, J. D. (2021, September 09). Idun and the Apples of Eternal Youth. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14598/idun-and-the-apples-of-eternal-youth/

Chicago Style

Penrose, J. Doyle. "Idun and the Apples of Eternal Youth." World History Encyclopedia. Last modified September 09, 2021. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/14598/idun-and-the-apples-of-eternal-youth/.

MLA Style

Penrose, J. Doyle. "Idun and the Apples of Eternal Youth." World History Encyclopedia. World History Encyclopedia, 09 Sep 2021. Web. 21 Dec 2024.

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