Aegir

In Norse mythology, Ægir (also spelled Aegir in English) is a powerful jötunn and the personification of the sea. He is also known by the names Hlér and Gymir, all of which are associated with the ocean or overwhelming natural forces. Despite being a giant, Ægir holds a unique position in the mythology—he is not an enemy of the gods but rather a gracious host who entertains them in his hall beneath the sea, where he is especially known for brewing vast quantities of ale.

Ægir is married to Rán, a goddess who likewise represents the sea, particularly in her darker aspects, such as drowning and shipwrecks. Together, they are the parents of the Nine Daughters, each of whom personifies a different type of wave. They also have a son, Snær, who represents snow, further linking Ægir’s family to the untamed forces of nature.

There is some scholarly debate over whether Ægir and Gymir, the father of the beautiful jötunn Gerðr (who becomes the wife of the god Freyr), are in fact the same figure or simply share a name. The overlapping identities suggest a deeper mythological connection between the sea and themes of fertility, love, and danger.

One of Ægir’s names, Hlér, gives its name to the island of Læsø in Denmark (Old Norse Hlésey, meaning "Hlér’s Island"), and possibly also to Lejre, an ancient royal center. His character has drawn the attention of scholars for centuries and has found a place in modern literature and media, where he is often depicted as a formidable but majestic figure of the deep, both feared and revered.

Ægir embodies the paradox of the sea itself—life-giving yet destructive, bountiful yet perilous—making him a rich and enduring symbol in Norse myth.