Eitr


Eitr is a substance in Norse mythology. This liquid substance is the origin of all living things: the first giant Ymir was conceived from eitr. The substance is supposed to be very poisonous and is also produced by Jörmungandr and other serpents.

Etymology

The word eitr exists in most North Germanic languages in Icelandic/Faroese eitur, in Danish edder, in Swedish etter. Cognates also exist in Dutch etter, in German Eiter, in Old Saxon ĕttar, in Old English ăttor. The word is broadly translated: poisonous, evil, bad, angry, sinister etc.
The word is used in common Scandinavian folklore as a synonym for snake venom.

Ymir

In Vafþrúðnismál Odin asks the Giant Vafþrúðnir about the origin of Ymir. Vafþrúðnir answers:
Rough translation:
The last line of the stanza in Vafþrúðnismál where Vafþrúðnir says "that is why we are easily angered", is a word-play with the meaning of the word eitr, as it also means anger/angry.

Popular culture

In ', which features a storyline heavily influenced by Norse mythology, eitr plays an important part in the plot.
In ' eitr can be found in Asgard on most creatures.
In 2018's God of War, Kratos' Leviathan Axe is imbued with eitr when he first meets the World Serpent.