Líf and Lífthrasir
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In Norse mythology, Líf and Lífthrasir (ON: Líf ok Lífþrasir) (both relating to the word "Life") are the last human man and woman to survive Ragnarök, after which they will repopulate the world.
In Vafthrúdnismál, Odin poses a riddle to the giant Vafthrúdnir about who among humans will live through the Fimbulvetr, the great winter immediately preceding the final conflict of Ragnarök. The giant replies that Líf and Lífthrasir will take refuge in Hoddmímir's Forest and will nourish themselves with morning dew, and from them a new race of humans will descend. The identity of Hoddmímir remains speculative but includes a possible association with Mímir. Some sources have also put forth the idea that Hoddmimir's Forest is another name for Yggdrasil
Snorri paraphrases the myth in Gylfaginning, stating that Líf and Lífthrasir will remain hidden during the "fire of Surtr" and that their offspring will be so numerous that the entire world will be repopulated.
[edit] In popular culture
- Ragnarok Online 2: The Gate of the World makes a reference to a "St. Lif," the son of Baldur who saved the world from a cataclysm one thousand years prior to the game's setting.
- Lif is the hero of the German fantasy novel Midgard by Wolfgang Hohlbein.
- In the comic book Lucifer, Lifthrasir is mentioned as having been killed by Fenris during the "The Wolf Beneath the Tree" storyline.
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