InNorse mythology,Auðr (Old Norse "prosperity"[1]) is the son of the personified night,Nótt, fathered byNaglfari, and uncle ofThor. Auðr is attested in theProse Edda, written in the 13th century bySnorri Sturluson, and in the poetry ofskalds.
In theProse Edda, Auðr is mentioned three times; once in the bookGylfaginning and twice in Skáldskaparmál. In chapter 10 ofGylfaginning,High says that, during Nótt's marriage to Naglfari, the couple had a son, Auðr.[2] In chapter 32 ofSkáldskaparmál, means of referring toJörð, the personified earth, are provided, including "sister of Auðr" and "sister ofDagr", the personified day. In the same chapter, a work by the 10th centuryskaldHallfreðr vandræðaskáld is provided that mentions Auðr ("Auðr's splendid sister").[3]
ScholarRudolf Simek theorizes that Auðr is the invention of Snorri, but says that Snorri's reason for doing so is unknown. Simek notes thatAuðr is a female name in other Icelandic sources. Simek does not mention the skaldic reference to the figure.[1]