Audhumla is the mother cow in Norse mythology and the first creature to emerge from Ginnungagap, “yawning emptiness,” at the beginning of creation. On either side of the void were Niflheim, the land of fog and ice in the north, and Muspelheim, the land of fire in the south.
From Audhumla’s teats flowed four rivers of milk, but while her breath was very sweet, her milk was bitter. Ymir, the first giant, fed himself by this milk. Bur (Buri), father of Bor who was in turn the father of the Aesir, was uncovered from the salty ice by Audhumla’s licking. For three days Audhumla licked a stone. On the first day, hair sprouted from this stone, and on the second day, a head formed. On the third day, Buri arose.