Embla

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Embla

Old Norse Dictionary Entry

Definitions

1 Embla

(in Ub. spelt Emla), u, f. a mythol. word, which only occurs in Vsp. 17; and hence in Edda (where it is said that the gods found two lifeless trees, the askr (ash) and the embla; of the ash they made man, of the embla woman), it is a question what kind of tree the embla was; some suggest a metathesis, qs. emla from ahnr, elm, but the compound emblu-askr, in one of Egil’s poems, seems to shew that the embla was in some way related to the ash.

Runic Inscription

ᛁᛘᛒᛚᛅ

Possible runic inscription in Younger Futhark

Abbreviations Used

Common Abbreviations

ch
chapter.
f.
feminine.
id
idem, referring to the passage quoted or to the translation
l.
Linnæus.
mythol
mythology, mythological.
mythol.
mythology, mythological.
p.
page.
qs.
quasi.

Works & Authors

Edda
Edda. (C. I.)
Ub.
Uppsala-bók. (C. I.)
Vsp.
Völuspá. (A. I.)

About

Old Norse Dictionary project aims to provide a comprehensive searchable dictionary based on the legendary Cleasby-Vigfusson work.

It includes abbreviations, works & authors, and authentic runic inscriptions.

Support

Quick Links

Copyright © 2025 Old Norse Dictionary
"Fornjóts synir eru á landi komnir"