Lóðurr

In Norse mythology, Lóðurr (sometimes anglicized as Lódr or Lother) is a figure appearing alongside Óðinn and Hœnir in the creation myth described in the Völuspá, the first poem in the Poetic Edda. The role and nature of Lóðurr remain debated among scholars due to the limited and ambiguous information provided about him in surviving texts.

According to the Völuspá, after the sons of Borr (Óðinn, Vili, and Vé, though alternative traditions exist) slew the giant Ymir and created the world from his body, they found Ask and Embla, the first humans. The poem states that Óðinn gave them spirit (önd), Hœnir gave them intelligence (óðr), and Lóðurr gave them blood and good looks (lá and litu góða).

The identity of Lóðurr is uncertain, and various theories have been proposed. Some scholars suggest he is an epithet of Loki, pointing to similarities in their names and perceived trickster-like qualities. Others connect him to Freyr or other deities associated with fire or fertility, based on interpretations of the gifts he bestowed upon humanity. The lack of further mention of Lóðurr in other Norse sources makes definitive identification impossible, and he remains one of the most enigmatic figures in Norse mythology.