After Odin and his two brothers Vili and Vé had created the universe and the twelve realms, they walked on the beach where they came upon two logs of wood which were washed ashore; one was of ash and the other of elm. They took the logs and gave them human shape. Odin gave to them the breath of life, Vili gave them sharp wits and feeling hearts; and Vé bestowed upon them their senses, expressive features and speech. The male they named Ask ("ash") and the female the named Embla ("elm"). Ask and Embla were the first man and woman; they were left to rule over the realm of Midgard and to populate it with the human race.

An alternate story has Odin, Hoenir and Lodur creating Ask and Embla.

Also known as: Askr