Welcome to my fifth in the series of articles which examine the origins and stories surrounding the figures from Norse mythology who lend their names to the vessels in Viking River Cruises’ impressive fleet of Viking Longships. This time, it’s the turn of Bestla.
Who was Bestla?
Bestla was a frost giantess who gave birth to none other than Odin – the father of the Norse gods.
More about Bestla
Bestla, whose name translates literally as ‘wife’ is referred to as the mother of all gods, something which probably has something to do with her being Odin’s mother. Odin wasn’t her only child though, and together with her husband Borr, she also brought up Odin’s bothers and fellow gods, Vili and Ve.
In a number of historical Norse sources, Bestla is referred to as sister to an unnamed being. Scholars have long debated exactly who this mysterious sibling was but today, some believe that it was Mimir – none other than Odin’s maternal uncle. This brother was responsible for granting Odin nine magical songs and an account of this occurrence gave scholars the opportunity to work out who Mimir was. This passage contains the only reference to Bestla to be found in the whole Poetic Edda – one of the principal sources of information on Norse mythology. Rather strange when you consider that she was the mother of such a pivotal figure as Odin.
Interesting facts
One of Saturn’s moons is named after Bestla. It was one of the more recent astrological finds, having only been discovered in 2004 and announced in 2005. It is one of Saturn’s Norse moons as in fact, the planet boasts Gallic and Inuit moon groups, too.
Frost giants were a regular feature in Norse mythology, along with fire giants and mountain giants. Traditionally, they were depicted as being at odds with the gods, even though many gods could count giants as their parents and grandparents.
The Viking Longship Bestla takes river cruisers on both a Grand European Tour through five different countries and a Tulips and Windmills round-trip from Amsterdam along the Dutch-Belgian Waterways.
