Norsery Rhymes from A to Z Embla - The First Woman
Well here we are another Thor’s Day and another 20 min sketch of a Norse (and Celtic, Germanic) mythological characters. This week it’s Embla the first Woman.
Embla likely meaning “Elm Tree” or “Vine” the first female, and Askr “Ash Tree” the first male.
They were both made from trees found by the gods and brothers Vili, Ve and Odin. Or Hoenir, Lo(d/th)urr, and Odin. Either on the shoreline as standing trees, or as driftwood on the beach. Making Humans something grown from the earth. They all gave them shape from the wood into man and woman. Then Hoenir/Vili gave them Motion and sense. Lodurr/Ve gave them blood, colour and heat (or speech hearing and sight depending on the source). While Odin gave them spirit and soul. They they gave them the job of starting the family of mankind and were given Midgard.
Their descendants Lif and Lifthrasir (Lifprasir) will survive Ragnarock to start the cycle of humanity again.
Their origin as trees is likely why in so much Norse and Germaic poetry humans are described using tree and wood related words and metaphors.
