Gjöll (Old Norse:Gjǫll[ˈɡjɔlː]) is the river that separates the living from the dead inNorse mythology. It is one of the eleven rivers traditionally associated with theÉlivágar, rivers that existed inGinnungagap at the beginning of the world.
According toSnorri Sturluson'sGylfaginning, Gjöll originates from the wellspringHvergelmir inNiflheim, flowing throughGinnungagap, and thence into the worlds of existence. Gjöll is the river that flows closest to the gate of the underworld. Within the Norse mythology, the dead must cross theGjallarbrú, the bridge over Gjöll, to reachHel. The bridge, which was guarded byMóðguðr, was crossed byHermóðr during his quest to retrieveBaldr from the land of the dead.[1]
InGylfaginning, Gjöll is one of eleven rivers that rise from Hvergelmir. In the following chapter, these are called the Élivágar and are said to have flowed in Ginnungagap in primordial times.[2]
Gjöll has a parallel with similar mythological rivers fromIndo-European cultures such as theGreekStyx and theHinduVaitarani.
Gjöll is also the name of the boulder to which the monstrous wolfFenrir is bound.[3] The word has been translated as "noisy".[4]
 | This article relating to aNorsemyth or legend is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |