The first Auroch, the primal cow or Cow Goddess. Her name is generally accepted as meaning “hornless cow rich in milk” (from Old Norse auðr meaning ‘riches’ and humala meaning’hornless’).
The primordial frost jötunn Ymir fed from her milk, and over the course of three days she licked away the salty rime rocks and revealed Búri, grandfather of the gods, and brothers Odin, Vili and Vé.
Auðumbla’s narrative occurs in the Gylfaginning section of the Prose Edda. The cow Auðumbla’s tears produced four rivers of milk, from which Ymir fed. She licked salty rime stones for sustenance, and once licked salts for three days, revealing Búri: The first day she licked free his hair, the second day his head, and the third day his entire body.
lokis.dottir 