NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Hvergelmir

Hvergelmir is the wellspring of cold in Niflheim in Norse mythology. The well is guarded by Ivaldi and his sons who are charged with the defence of Hel against the incursions of the storm giants. All cold rivers are said to come from here, and it was said to be the source of the eleven rivers, Elivagar. The name means approximately "The seething cauldron". Above the spring, the serpent Nidhogg gnaws on one of the roots of the world ash, Yggdrasil.

Northvegr - Rydberg's Teutonic Mythology (2581 words)
	Hvergelmir and this high land are not to be referred to that division of the lower world which in Grímnismál is called Hel, for not until after the rivers have flowed through the mountain landscape, where their source is, are they said to falla til Heljar.
	From this it follows that Niflhel is to be referred to the north of the mountain Hvergelmir, Hel to the south of it.
	Hvergelmir we know is situated on the watershed, where we have the death-border between Hel and Niflhel fortified with abysses and gates, and is consequently situated in the immediate vicinity of beings hostile to gods and men.

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