(Also Idun, Ithun, Idunnor)
Norse goddess of
youth,
fertility, and
death. She was the custodian of
golden apples which allowed the
Aesir gods to maintain their youthfulness, and was the only god allowed to gather them, keeping them in a golden chest. Iduna was the wife of
Bragi, god of
poetry, and originally a member of the
Vanir. She departed the fields and forests of
Vanaheim to live with him in
Asgard.
Iduna was abducted by
Thiazi, a
storm giant, who wished to have her apples solely to himself. During her absence, the
Aesir began to age without the rejuvenating qualities of her apples, prompting them to press
Loki into the task of rescuing her. Borrowing
Freya's
falcon cloak, he retrieved her from
Thrymheim, transforming her into the form of a nut for the flight back.
Thiazi, displeased, pursued them in the form of an
eagle, but was defeated by having his wings set alight by a bonfire created by the
Aesir.
Iduna is celebrated with a feast day on the
Vernal Equinox.