Asgard, literally “the enclosure of the Aesir gods,” is the divine model of the innangard. Like Skadi, Gerd rose to the status of a goddess; she became the goddess of light. While later jotnar were not noted for exceptional size, Ymir was truly gigantic. Many of these were female jotnar who intermarried with the Aesir and Vanir gods. By far the most significant event in Norse mythology was the battle of Ragnarök. Friendly individuals were more likely to be called gods, while the more villainous characters were called giants or trolls. In folklore, stories of wicked and threatening giants remained popular. At least one sources claims that Tyr’s parents were giants, for example. The 13th century Old Norse work, Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson states Loki as being the son of the Jötunn, Farbauti. The same was not true of the giants that would reappear at Ragnarok. It will be the final battle between the Aesir and Giants. Virtually all depictions of the mighty thunder god Thor show him with his hammer clutched in one hand. if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-leader-4-0')}; In Norse myths, rarely is Thor without Mjolnir or his magical belt that doubled his strength.Â. The namesake of Tuesday, he lost his arm to Loki's ferocious offspring Fenrir, the giant wolf. The giants in Norse mythology were supernaturally empowered like Norse gods, and like their god counterparts, they had their flaws as well, including but not limited to arrogance, greed, jealousy, and vanity. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Whether as allies of the gods or as mortal enemies, they feature heavily in the written works of Norse poets. Suttung: Heavy with broth. The first frost giants were born from the beads of sweat that dripped off his body. [The runestone is from the Hunnestad monument, near where I live] Give me Hyrrokkin - any time! Ymir’s legs also bred with each other, and from it, a six-headed being came into existence. Tyr. Posted by Sons Of Vikings on October 1, 2020. “Innangard” means “within the enclosure” and refers to that which is orderly, law-abiding, and civilized. There are many famous giants and jötnar in Norse mythology but trolls – not so much. Get the Facts, link to 10 Famous Vikings From History: Ragnar Lodbrok, Rollo, and More, Is Valhalla Heaven or Hell? In the beginning, according to one tradition, the warm air from this region melted the ice of the opposite region, Niflheim, thus giving form to Aurgelmir (Ymir), the father of the evil giants. Yes, you read that correctly, some of the Æsir have previously been together with the Jotuns, also known as giants. There are two classes of giants in Norse mythology: The giants figure more prominently in the Norse creation narrative than the gods, and they play a central role in the myths surrounding Ragnarok, the Viking version of the apocalypse, and the end of days (it can even be argued that the Jotnar are victorious in this battle to end all battles). And as it turns out, some of the most popular gods in Norse mythology are not pure gods at all, but part giant. Ymir was the forefather not only of the entire line of frost giants in Norse mythology but in an abstract way, even the gods and all of humankind can trace their beginnings to this gargantuan Jotunn. The Norse giants were also not always known for extreme strength or brutality. There are many varieties of Jötnar, including Frost and Fire Giants. It denoted a safe space that separated humans from the dangers of the wild. Norse mythology. Nonetheless, three Jotun giants did enter the Asgard, the realm of the Norse gods, and they were accepted. The “sons of Muspel” are usually described as fire giants from the realm of Muspelheim. When they did, the torrents of blood that flowed out of his body drowned most of the wicked frost giants he had spawned. An infuriated Thor threatened to kill Hrungnir on the spot, but the unarmed giant appealed to Thorâs sense of fair play, and the two agreed to a duel on a neutral site between Asgard and Jotunheim. if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-leader-3-0')}; The moment that Hrungnir had armed himself with his whetstone, Thor hurled Mjolnir toward the giant. Seeing Thorâs hammer quickly closing in on him, Hrungnir flung his whetstone toward the incoming Mjolnir. Do people still believe in Norse mythology? Loki, in Norse mythology, a cunning trickster who had the ability to change his shape and sex.Although his father was the giant Fárbauti, he was included among the Aesir (a tribe of gods). In Norse myth, the gods often needed magic weapons (like Odin’s spear, Gungnir, or Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir) to defeat the giants, while in Game of Thrones, the White Walkers are only susceptible to Valerian steel or dragon glass (obsidian). This typology is borne out throughout the sources, where the Aesir are the benefactors and protectors of civilization, while the devourers are constantly trying to drag it back to primordial chaos (and, at Ragnarok, they succeed). The second group of giants were the opposite. Both Loki and his mistress, Angrboda, were jotnar. The jotnar in Norse mythology seem to defy a simple translation. From Odin’s mighty horse to a world-circling serpent, Norse Mythology has a cacophony of crazy creatures! An Old Norse expert discusses the relationship between the gods and the "giants" (jǫtnar) in Norse myth.Dr. The Norse giants, however, were likely seen much differently than they are by modern readers. In Scandinavia and Christian Europe in the Middle Ages: Papers of the 12th International Saga Conference. Odin is often depicted with one eye. Dwarves in Norse Cosmology. Characteristics Physical Description. Primordial Giant According to the Norse creation myth, in the beginning, there were two worlds. He was the first “man” uncovered by the sacred cow Audumbla. They’re forces of destruction, entropy, and decay. [2]. His flesh was the earth, with bones and teeth spread across it to create mountains and fjords. They could be beautiful and noble as often as they could be churlish and cruel. [8], It is worth noting that Loki is not the only god with Jotunn lineage. The mighty all-father Odin is also part-giant as his mother Bestla is a giantess.Â. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. Sometimes giants figure in the creation of the world. Skrymir is a very tall giant, and Skrymir is the strongest and most cunning of the giants. They had human traits such as greed, madness, or lust that made them dangerous. Jord: The personification of the earth and possible mother of Thor was sometimes named as a giantess. Everywhere, from Lord of the Rings to The Elder Scrolls games, these creatures are deeply woven into our cultural fabric. Lesser-known giants in Norse mythology. Who Were the Indo-Europeans and Why Do They Matter. Norse mythology is full of gigantic, terrifying beasts and mythological creatures but the one beast that stands out amongst all is Fenrir, the giant wolf. Fortunately for Thor, a friendly giantess named Grid warned him of the grave danger that awaited him and provided him with her magical spear, her enchanted belt, and, most importantly, her special iron gloves. if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-netboard-1-0')}; Along the way to Geirrodâs home, Thor overcame deadly river currents and the giantâs two daughters before finally confronting Geirrod himself. References:[1] Source[2] Source[3] Source[4] Source[5] Source[6] Source[7] Source[8] Source[9] Source. View Post. The Gods are often considered together with the Jötnar (singular Jötunn) or Giants in English. The view of giants was also due to an increased influence from Greek and Roman cultures. This is shown most clearly in the Norse creation narrative, wherein the gods construct the cosmos out of the corpse of the slain devourer Ymir. link to Do Norse Pagans Pray? Giants were not a single, monolithic race of evil beings in Norse mythology. Ymir (pronounced roughly “EE-mir;” Old Norse Ymir, “Screamer”) is a hermaphroditic giant and the first creature to come into being in the Norse creation myth. So it is not strange that the people of theNorth have a legend of the Beginning quite different from that of the Southern, Eastern, and Western folk.This book is made of the stories told by the Northern folk, -the people who livein the land ... If Midgard was a town on a large scale with a protective wall, some historians believe the Jotenheim was the world outside its borders. [3]if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-leader-1-0')}; Goddesses played an important role in Norse mythology. "In the Days of Giants" is an excellent read for everyone interested in Norse mythology and culture. Odin is the grandson of Buri, often called the first Aesir. Medieval Christianity drew much clearer lines between good and evil than Norse tradition did, and was quick to position a non-human race as related to the demons they believed in. Despite his Jotunn lineage, Loki was a regular sight in Asgard and mingled with Odin, Thor, and the other Norse gods as if he were on equal footing.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-netboard-2-0')}; Although no Viking source definitively labels Loki as evil or malicious at heart, his acts of mischief were infuriating to the gods.Â. This view, however, is not necessarily how the Norse people themselves would have seen the giants. Known as the trickster god for his cunning and mischievous ways, Loki is widely considered the outcast misfit among Norse gods.Â, And part of the reason may be the fact that Loki is not a pure-bred god, but rather, a half-blooded frost giant on his fatherâs side.Â. Gunnlod: When her father obtained the Mead of Poetry, Odin seduced her to steal it back. The jotnar seem, therefore, to have been so closely related to the gods that they were indistinguishable. From the waste up, Hel appeared to be a beautiful jotunn maiden, but her lower half was that of a decaying corpse. “Utangard” means “beyond the enclosure” and refers to that which is chaotic and anarchic. The third type, however, was very different. Some were so closely linked to the gods that they were often thought of as deities themselves. Among these loanwords was the Old French geant, the ancestor of the modern English word “giant,” which replaced the Old English eóten. While some Norse giants were strong, brutish, and greedy, others were great friends of the gods. Here is all you need to know about Fenrir Fenrir (pronounced FEN-rir ), sometimes also called Fenrisulfr (or Fenris in its short form), is a colossal wolf with abominable strength. Norse mythology informs the Titans in the Attack on Titan manga, but the horrifying Titans diverge from the ancient giants in a big way. In general, though, most of the Norse stories we have show how giants and gods fight with each other, not with humans (at least not until Ragnarök). They made their first appearance in God of War (2018). The connected stories of Thiazi and Skadi portray Jotenheim as a mountainous world with heavy snowfall and thick forests. In fact, some stories implied that Jotenheim and Midgard were mot as widely separated as they are sometimes portrayed. Jarnsaxa was a giantess who was Thorâs lover and bore him two half-Jotunn sons, Magni and Modi. if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-portrait-1-0')}; Magni was the strongest of all Norse gods, surpassing even his father in terms of strength. (In fact, when Thor defeated Hrungnir in battle, he was pinned underneath the giantâs leg and only Magni could free him. The terms Jotunn and giant have become synonymous when referring to mythical beings like Ymir, Thrym, and Skadi, but they refer to two completely different races of beings. The word “giant” is used rather liberally in English translations to describe the jotnar, one of the many mythological races of the Norse legends. Aud: His name Aud means “Wealth” he is the son of Night “Nat” and Naglefari. Sources from the 17th century suggest that Odin was still believed to be a protector of horses. It is believed that she lives by herself in Jötunheim (the land of the giants), and she most likely has no contact with Loki nor their children. In Norse mythology, Ymir is an important figure and the ancestor of all jötnar, also known as Aurgelmir, Brimir or Blainn. Because of Ragnarok (triggered off by the giants), Norse Pantheon collapsed. This apocalyptic war will bring an end to the rule of Asgard and the death of the gods, thus leaving open a new beginning for a new world (as a note: this particular part of Norse mythology was used by The wall that was made from Ymir’s eyebrows is often compared to the walls that would enclose a farmyard or village in the Viking Age. One of Norse mythologyâs most entertaining tales involves the highly revered god of thunder Thor and the giant Thrym.Â, According to Viking sagas, Thrym had become so enamored with the goddess Freyja that he hatched a plan to force her hand in marriage. (Also see the full article Freyja: Norse Goddess). The English word “giant” is often used as a translation for the jotunn, a mythological race in Norse legends. The Norse giants did not stand out because of their enormous size or misshapen features. See Is the Norse Religion Still Practiced? Norse mythology or Scandinavian mythology is the body of myths of the North Germanic peoples, stemming from Norse paganism and continuing after the Christianization of Scandinavia, and into the Scandinavian folklore of the modern period. Thus we see that the Aesir are the innangard beings par excellence, while the devourers are the utangard beings par excellence. Some scholars point to details in the story to theorize that Joteinheim and Midgard may have actually existed side by side. The Gods can be split broadly into two tribes. Who were they? Like Asgard, Jotenheim appeared to be very similar to the world of men. Ragnarok season 1 had ended on a feverishly climactic note, with Magne (David Stakston) going up against the Jutul patriarch, Vidar (Gísli Örn Garðarsson), and the latest season picks up right where it left. This book represents a reconstruction of the Proto-Germanic vocabulary as attested in ancient and modern Germanic languages and projected to the Proto-Germanic level. While only one of Angrboda’s children even remotely resembled a human form, all were technically giants. Wolves can have both positive and negative connotations in Norse myth. Eventually, Odin and his brothers decided to kill Ymir. A Child's Introduction to Norse Mythology: Odin, Thor, Loki, and Other Viking Gods, Goddesses, Giants, and Monsters (A Child's Introduction Series) Part of: A Child's Introduction (9 … Ogres are closely linked with giants and with human cannibals in mythology. The Norse word Jotunn translates to âdevourer,â which has a completely different connotation. Norse Mythology survives to this day as the basis for Heathen, Ásatrú, and Theodish (etc.) The belief system commonly referred to as "Norse paganism" was prevalent throughout Europe before the arrival of Christianity. Many of the jotnar appeared in later myths as enemies, or at least annoyances, of the gods. Edited by Rudolf Simek and Judith Meurer. The world of fantasy is packed full of amazing mythical creatures such as Elves, Dwarfs and Giants. ), Jarnsaxa was a pivotal character in Norse mythology, for it was her sons that were among the few survivors of Ragnarok, tasked with rebuilding a new world from the ashes of the old.Â, They inherited Mjolnir from their fallen father, Thor. Several were closely-related to giants who became close allies of the gods. The sons of Muspel direct their course to the plain which is called Vigrid … To this place have also come Loke and Hrym, and with him all the frost-giants. Aurgelmir was the father of all the giants; a male and a female grew under his arm, and his legs produced a six-headed son. Several kings were said to have married giantesses, but their sons were fully human. Giants like Aegir that were seen as almost god-like themselves were displaced by the new religion. While some were more like trolls, and were even called by that word in some texts, others were nearly the same as the gods. In this graphic novel version of Norse mythology, Odin, father of the Viking gods, shares some of his tales of Thor's battles with the giants of Jotunheim, and Loki's treachery. Loki calmly explained that due to her eagerness to become Thrymâs wife, Freyja had not slept in eight days. Jormungand (pronounced YOUR-mun-gand; Old Norse Jörmungandr, Great Beast), also called the Midgard Serpent, is One of the most exciting books on Vikings for a generation, Laughing Shall I Die presents Vikings for what they were: not peaceful explorers and traders, but warriors, marauders, and storytellers. What is clear is that Skadi ascended to the position of a goddess. Giants receive different treatment in different mythologies, but a general trend is visible. In fact, the giants are one of the most often-mentioned races in all of Norse mythology, Skadi: Perhaps the most famous giantess to marry a god, she was the daughter of the villainous Thiazi. In each story, therefore, the word “giant” can refer to a different type of being. From Ymirâs colossal corpse, the brethren gods shaped and formed the world as the Vikings knew it, including the heavens above: Thus, in death, Ymir played a central role in creating the world in which the gods and Vikings lived and fought (most of their battles were waged against their old nemeses, the giants).Â. Paul Bunyan ( American folklore) Ferragut (also known as Ferragus, Ferracutus, etc.) Unlike Asgard, Jotenheim did not have a bridge linking it directly to the world of men. 10 Facts That Might Surprise You to learn more.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-medrectangle-3-0')};if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-medrectangle-3-0_1')}; .medrectangle-3-multi-106{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-top:15px !important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Thor, powerful god of thunder, and his brother Loki, the trickster, were eager to resolve an argument: Does strength always win, or do brains always beat brawn? To find an answer, they travel to the strange and forbidding land of giants. mythology. The Æsir were associated with chaos and war, while the Vanir were associated with nature and fertility. In another story, a giant steals Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir, and demands marriage to Freya as a ransom. "Out of print for many years, Norse Gods and Giants has been very handsomely reissued by the The New York Review Children’s Collection and retitled D’Aulaire’s Book of Norse Myths. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Aurgelmir, in Norse mythology, the first being, a giant who was created from the drops of water that formed when the ice of Niflheim met the heat of Muspelheim. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) Fenrir is a super-sized wolf. The most famous jotunn in Norse mythology, the trickster Loki, was a one-time friend of the gods who became their greatest enemy. Giants in folklore were mortals who inhabited the world in early times. to learn more. And in some instances, giants and giantesses came to the aid of Norse gods or joined them in battle or matrimony.  if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0')}; Call them opposite sides of the same coin, or the Norse yin and yang, but it can be said that in Norse mythology, you cannot have the gods without the giants, and vice-versa. Here are some prominent Jotnar that have enriched Viking myths and legends: The Vikings were a seafaring society. Looking for more great information on Norse mythology and religion? The giants of Norse mythology were primeval beings existing before the gods and overcome by them. Even Ymir’s eyelashes were used. [5]. Grid: The mother of Odin’s son Vidarr, she also gave Thor advice on how to beat another giant, Geirrod, in battle and lent him magical items for the fight. This was Jotunheim. 1987. Hrungnir was a Jotunn whose heart and head were made from stone. Store Description. Found insideThe great Norse sagas are full of magic and heroic deeds. Mike Greenberg, PhD. Some stories describe dwarves emerging from Ymir’s dead body like maggots. The giants and giantesses were among the first living beings according to the creation of the world in Norse mythology. The Viking Spirit is an introduction to Norse mythology like no other. They are sometimes described as living in the north rather than on an entirely different world. Israelite spies in Canaan saw giants (Numbers 13:32–33), and such beings once, in legend, roamed Cornwall in Britain (see Corineus). Greco-Roman myths were familiar to many of the men who wrote down the Norse legends because they had been educated in the Latin language. Some of this has to do with the offspring that they bear (e.g., Bestla, mother of Odin; Angrboda, mother of Fenrir, Jormungand, and Hel), while others, like Grid, through acts of decency or kindness, saved gods from impending doom.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0')}; The Norse goddess of mountains and skiing, Skadi was the daughter of a frost giant named Thiassi, who was killed in Asgard by the Aesir gods. But not all jötunn represent winter. Seeking to avenge her fatherâs death, the beautiful Skadi arrived at Asgard fully intent on waging a battle to the death. The gods convinced Skadi to lay down her arms by striking an interesting two-part bargain with her: Norse sagas are unclear about what happed to Skadi, with some stating that Skadi married Odin and bore him many offspring. In fact, the giants are one of the most often-mentioned races in all of Norse mythology. The jotnar, for example, were never described as particularly large. A collection of rarely retold tales from the "Elder Edda" and the "Younger Edda", two six-hundred-year-old Norse Manuscripts. They managed to kill the giant … The giants of the pre-Christian mythology and religion of the Norse and other Germanic peoples are a tribe of spiritual beings whose power equals that of the two tribes of gods, the Aesir and the Vanir. Surt rides first, and before him and after him flames burning fire. They equated the jotnar with similar figures in Roman and Greek mythology. [2], How, then, did these “devourers” come to be called “giants?” When the Norman (French) William the Conquerer seized control of England in 1066 CE, the English language became filled with French words. In Viking lore, the giants were the enemies of the gods. Found insideLike a torch to light your way, this book helps you heal and transform into the best version of yourself. There are different races of beings in Norse mythology: gods, humans, dwarves, elves, trolls, and giants. Of these, the gods and the giants figure most prominently in Viking myths and legends. They were friends of the gods, helpful to people, and were shown as civilized and intelligent. [6]if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0')}; Interested in Norse Mythology? This is only part of the story, though. The Gods are often considered together with the Jötnar (singular Jötunn) or Giants in English. As the story goes, before the creation of heaven, earth, and the other realms, there were primordial lands of fire and ice.Â, As the ice melted, the water droplets took on a human-like form, and Ymir, the forefather of all frost giants, was born. From him came an offspring named Buri, who then had a son named Bor.Â. Ymir, the first giant, emerged in the empty void of Ginnungagap at the beginning of time. A retelling of stories from Norse mythology for the general reader. When at last Mjolnir was brought out from its hiding place and placed on the brideâs lap, Thor immediately sprung into action and slaughtered all the Jotnar in Thrymâs palace.Â, Although the spectacle of a cross-dressed Thor slaying giants with his hammer in hand and wedding veil over his face is surely worthy of a chuckle or two, the story also shows the lengths to which a Jotunn would go in the name of love. The gods travel there on many errands, although it is usually noted to be a dangerous place for them to travel freely because many of its residents are hostile. The sons of Muspel have there effulgent bands alone by themselves. Nevertheless, the devourers weren’t straightforwardly evil; at times, they could also play constructive roles (albeit usually inadvertently). Symbols are important in Norse mythology. In sagas, the same held true for humans. Modern translations of Norse mythology often mention the giants. Musaicum Books presents to you a meticulously edited collection of Norse Mythology. This battle is known in the mythology asRagnarok. In the Norse world, a giant was called Jotun or Iotun. Found insideWith its well-researched, lyrical prose and its dramatic and powerful artwork, this wonderful gift edition makes the perfect book for both the staunchest fans of mythology and newcomers with no knowledge of Viking folklore. Aurvandil: The Brave. These three giants were Aegit, the trickster god, Loki, and Karl. The name Angrboda means “The one who brings grief” or “She who offers sorrow”. The beginning of the world in Norse mythology was a strange time if it was Seidr (magic), or the will of nature is simply something we do not know, but from the armpits of Ymir, two new beings were formed, a male and a female. “Utgard” means the exact same thing as “utangard” (once again, “beyond the enclosure”). Midgard, the world of human civilization, is patterned on Asgard and allied with it. Jötunn comes from the Proto-Germanic *etunaz and means “devourer.” The Old English eóten is a cognate (it means the same thing and comes from the same Proto-Germanic word). The association between giants and ice is understandable considering that the giants… Retells thirty-two Scandinavian myths that have intrigued countless generations with stories of gods, giants, dwarfs, and monsters involved in the creation, development, and ultimate destruction of nine mortal and divine worlds Drawing on a ... See The Norse Tree of Life to learn more. But Victoria isn’t prepared for the strange shadows outside her cabin window, the rumors of a murderous hag who sucks one’s soul during sleep, and the tales of mythic monsters lurking in the forest. In Norse mythology, dominion over the seas and oceans belonged to the Jotunn Aegir and his sea goddess wife Ran.if(typeof __ez_fad_position != 'undefined'){__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scandinaviafacts_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0')}; Interestingly, Aegir was no stranger to the gods, but his relationship with them was not adversarial â it was almost cordial.Â, Aegir is reputed to have hosted lavish feasts in his underwater palace, with many gods in attendance. Norse sagas describe Aegirâs âhome-brewedâ ale and mead as without peer in all the nine realms. Unless we count fairy tale trolls, the ones in the ancient Norse sagas are usually left unnamed. Find your own wealth of inspiration among the tales of the great gods and goddesses once worshipped by the Vikings. Here Is What You'll Find Inside. [7]. Found insideThor, powerful god of thunder, and his brother Loki, the trickster, were eager to resolve an argument: Does strength always win, or do brains always beat brawn? 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