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Ægir, a MythSource painting
Norse

Ægir

Sea-Giant · Host of the Æsir · Ale-Brewer

01Identity

Ægir in Norse tradition

Ægir is a Norse sea giant and deity associated with ocean waters, ale-brewing and hospitality towards the gods. He is also known as Hlér, Hlé and Gymir, names connected with the sea or its personification. At his famous feast, Loki killed the servant Fimafeng, returned to trade insults with the assembled gods, and finally fled when Thor threatened him with Mjollnir.

Top questions

The quick answers

  • Who is Ægir?

    Ægir is a Norse deity associated with the sea and ocean waters; ale-brewing; divine feasting; and hospitality toward the gods.
    Source

    Source

    • Dictionary of northern mythology
    • Gods and Myths of Northern Europe

  • What is Ægir the god of?

    Ægir is associated with the sea and ocean waters; ale-brewing; divine feasting; and hospitality toward the gods.
    Source

    Source

    • Dictionary of northern mythology
    • Gods and Myths of Northern Europe

  • What family links are recorded for Ægir?

    Father: Fornjótr, Spouse: Rán, 11 children.
02Family

Ægir’s family, at a glance

FornjótrMiskorblindi
Ægir

with Rán

BlóðughaddaBylgjaBáraDúfaHefringHiminglævaHrönnKólga
Nine Daughters of ÆgirNine Mothers of HeimdallrUnn
03The names

The names Ægir answers to

Hlér

An alternate name for Ægir and the sea

SourceDictionary of northern mythology

Hlé

A variant form of Hlér, associated with the sea

SourceDictionary of northern mythology

Gymir

A name used for Ægir or the personified sea

SourceGods and Myths of Northern Europe

04The myths

The myths of Ægir

1 myth, with sources recorded for each.

Ægir’s Feast and Loki’s Flyting

The Æsir and elves gathered in Ægir’s hall. Shining gold gave the hall its light, and ale went round without anyone carrying a flask. Ægir’s servants, Fimafeng and Eldir, prepared the feast, and the guests praised their skill. Loki could not bear the praise. He killed Fimafeng. The Æsir shook their shields, shrieked at him, and chased him into the woods. They then returned to their drinking.

Loki met Eldir outside the hall and asked what the guests discussed over their ale. Eldir said that they spoke of weapons and readiness for war. He added that no one inside had a friendly word for Loki. Loki said that he would enter the hall, bring quarrelling and strife, and mix malice into their mead. Eldir warned him that accusations and scandal would fall back upon him, but Loki entered.

The guests fell silent when they saw him. Loki said that he came thirsty and asked for a seat and a share of the drink. Odin, who was bound to Loki by blood brotherhood, ordered that Loki should sit. Loki then accused the gods and goddesses in turn. He traded insults with Bragi, who offered him a horse, a sword, and a ring if he stopped provoking the Æsir. Loki mocked Bragi’s courage, and Bragi threatened him. Idunn urged Bragi to hold back for the sake of kinship.

Loki continued the quarrel and answered every defence with another insult. He attacked the honour and conduct of the gods and goddesses, and no one in the hall escaped his words. The feast became a scene of accusation and hostility. Thor then returned from Giant-land. Loki said that he would leave because he knew Thor would strike him, but Thor threatened him with his hammer, Mjollnir. Loki fell silent and agreed to go.

Ægir’s Feast and Loki’s Flyting, a MythSource painting of the scene

2 sources· checked 2026-08-24

  1. 1the ancient sourcesT1

    Quote

    “Loki kills Fimafeng, then enters Ægir’s hall to accuse and insult the gods and goddesses until Thor threatens him with Mjollnir.”

    the ancient sources

  2. 2The Poetic EddaT1

Also mentioned in

Stories elsewhere on MythSource that mention Ægir, each on that figure’s page.