The Giant

The Nordic giants are immense primordial creatures who have lived in the North since long before the human era. They are incredibly strong, but also clumsy and not especially bright.

After the arrival of Christianity, the giants gradually retreated to the wilderness and the mountains: the sound of church bells hurts their ears and drives them mad. This is the explanation behind the huge erratic boulders strewn across the Nordic landscape — jättekast, “giant’s throws”, boulders hurled by frustrated giants trying to silence distant churches. Apparently their aim could have been better; they never seemed to hit their intended targets.

The word "jätte" itself probably comes from their famously hearty appetite — an old Germanic word meaning hefty eater or glutton.

The illustration is from the book Vaesen.

This poster is available in three sizes — 30×40 cm / 12×16″, 50×70 cm / 20×28″, and 70×100 cm / 28×40″. Printed on semi-glossy, 170 gsm (65 lb) paper, FSC-certified or equivalent for sustainability.