Audumla

The primeval cow. Audumla (Audhumla) was born from rime at Ginnungagap. The primeval giant Ymir (Aurgelmir) lived on the milk that flowed from the cow’s teats. Audumla also provided nourishment to Ymir’s six-headed son.

Audhumla
N. A. Abilgaard
Oil on canvas, 1790
Statens Museum fur Kunst, Copenhagen

Audumla received nourishment through licking the salty rime-stones. Audumla licked one of the stones until it was shaped into a man. This stone became Buri, grandfather of the Aesir gods: Odin, Vili and Ve.