Odin's mother. Giantess and daughter of Bolthorn.
Bestla (Old Norse Bestla) is a giantess, daughter of the giant Bolthorn and mother of the gods Odin, Vili, and Ve through her husband Borr. Through Bestla the Aesir descend directly from the giant lineage, underscoring the close interweaving of gods and giants in Norse mythology.
Bestla is mentioned in Gylfaginning 6 and in Hávamál 140, where Odin says he learned nine mighty songs from Bestla's brother. Beyond these references little is known about her, but her genealogical role is crucial to the cosmogonic narrative.
Sources in the Eddas
- Gylfaginning 6
- Snorri names Bestla as the daughter of Bolthorn and mother of Odin, Vili, and Ve.
- Hávamál 140
- Odin mentions learning nine mighty songs from Bestla's brother (Bolthorn's son).
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Bestla is Odin's mother, attested in Gylfaginning 6 and Hávamál 140.
B What we think we know
Bestla's brother who taught Odin nine songs remains unidentified in the sources.