Which realm of ice existed alongside Muspelheim before creation?

Which realm of ice existed alongside Muspelheim before creation? Niflheim was the primordial realm of ice and mist beside Muspelheim, the realm of fire.

In the Prose Edda’s creation account, Niflheim lay at one side of Ginnungagap, the vast primordial void, while Muspelheim occupied the fiery opposite region. Cold rivers flowed from Niflheim’s spring Hvergelmir, and their poisonous waters froze into layers of ice and rime.

Creation began when the ice from Niflheim encountered Muspelheim’s heat and sparks. The melting frost produced the primeval giant Ymir, ancestor of the jötnar. The primordial cow Auðumbla then nourished Ymir and uncovered Búri from salty ice.

Niflheim is sometimes confused with Hel or Niflhel. Later traditions connect it with the realm ruled by Hel, but the creation story specifically identifies Niflheim as the icy counterpart to Muspelheim. Its name is commonly interpreted as “World of Mist” or “Home of Mist.”