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Norse mythology was primarily discussed in dialects of Old Norse, a North Germanic language spoken by the Scandinavians in the Middle Ages, and the ancestor of modern Scandinavian languages.
J. R. R. Tolkien has admitted that 'The Hobbit' (1937) and 'The Lord of the Rings' (1954) were heavily influenced by Norse mythology.
Norse mythology influenced German composer Richard Wagner, who used them in his composition 'Der Ring des Nibelungen.'
Unlike the deities of several other mythologies, the Norse gods aren't immortal. They're only unusually long-lived, and owe it to the goddess Idunn and her magical apples.
According to Norse mythology, the three Norns, named Urd, Verdandi, and Skuld, were responsible for the destiny of all living creatures. They were incredibly powerful, and their influence was felt throughout the Nine Worlds.
The Vikings believed there were two types of gods: the Æsir and the Vanir. The Æsir were a group of war gods, like Thor, and the Vanir were a group of fertility deities, like Freyr. The Vikings also believed in other beings, such as giants and dwarfs.
Probably the most famous of the Norse goddesses, Frigg is the wife of Odin. She represents marriage and motherhood. It was also believed that she knew every person’s destiny, but never revealed it to anyone.
In Norse mythology, giants are the original "founding" beings at the top of the Norse family tree. And although they're enemies, the gods are all descendants of giants.
Units of time and elements of the Norse cosmology are personified as gods or beings. For example, there's the Sun (Sól, a goddess), the Moon (Máni, a god), and Earth (Jörð, a goddess).
If you're familiar with the 'Thor' comics or movies, then you might have noticed there’s a bridge separating Midgard, the realm of humans, from Asgard, the realm of the gods. The bridge is called Bifröst, and it looks like a rainbow. It's the only way to enter Asgard.
The father of all gods, Odin is the equivalent of Zeus in Greek mythology. He's the lord of war and death, and he was feared by the Vikings as the bringer of misfortune.
According to Norse mythology, Valhalla is where warriors killed in battle went after death. There's also Fólkvangr, which is ruled by Freyja, who chooses half of those who die in battle to reside with her. Finally, there's Hel, an underground realm where most individuals went.
Although Loki aligns himself with the gods of Asgard and often proves himself helpful, he and his children are the central antagonists of the gods at Ragnarök. His children are Hel, the goddess of death, Jörmungand, the serpent that surrounds the world, and Fenrir, the wolf.
Used both as a devastating weapon and as a divine instrument to provide blessings, Mjölnir is Thor's hammer.
In Norse mythology, a Valkyrie is a female figure who goes to battlefields and takes the bravest warriors who fall there and brings them to Odin in Valhalla. During WWII, a team of Germans plotting to overthrow Hitler named their secret plan Operation Valkyrie.
Norse mythology was almost exclusively written by Snorri Sturluson, an Icelandic poet from the 13th century. Sturluson composed a collection of poems known as the Prose Edda, which came from earlier traditional materials.
The popularity of the deities of Norse mythology is evident in the names of the days of the week in Germanic and Scandinavian languages. These languages, in turn, were influenced by Latin, brought to various regions by the armies of the Roman Empire.
The Norse universe is described as having a tricentric structure. According to the mythology, for the Norsemen, the world resembled three plates, set atop one another with space between each. These plates were held together at the top by a giant tree known as Yggdrasil.
In the Marvel universe, most fans already know Thor as one of the most important gods in the Norse pantheon. Worshiped by most Vikings, Thor was the god of thunder, whose role was to uphold law and order.
Have you ever heard of Vidar, the god of vengeance? While he's pretty unknown outside of Scandinavia, Vidar is famous for avenging his father Odin's death by killing the wolf Fenrir, Loki's son.
Within Yggdrasil, there are Nine Worlds. They are Asgard, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Midgard, Jotunheim, Nidavellir, Svartalfheim, Hel, and Niflheim.
Odin has only one eye because he sacrificed the other in order to drink from the well of wisdom, which made him gain immense knowledge.
In the popular TV series 'Vikings: Valhalla,' the plot is heavily based on Norse myth and folklore. The characters often have visions of Odin, and pray to several Norse gods, such as Thor.
Sources: (World History) (History)
Sunday honors Sunna or Sól, the Norse goddess of the Sun. Monday is Máni's day, the god of the Moon and brother to Sunna. Tuesday is Tyr’s day, the god of war. Wednesday is Odin's day, the king of the gods, also known as Woden. Thursday is Thor’s day, and Friday is either Frigg’s or Freyja’s (both goddesses) day. Saturday honors the Roman god Saturn, who the Norse kept the Roman name of.
Although Marvel has popularized Loki as Thor’s brother, the two aren't actually related in Norse mythology.
In Norse mythology, Naglfar is a boat made entirely from the fingernails and toenails of the dead. During the events of Ragnarök, Naglfar is carrying hordes of monsters who will battle the gods.
According to Norse myth, the first human couple was Ask, who was crafted from an Ash tree, and his wife Embla, who was crafted from Elm.
In Norse mythology, there’s a battle at the end of time called Ragnarök. In this apocalyptic battle between the gods and monsters, almost all life is destroyed, and the Nine Worlds are submerged.
Norse mythology has captivated the minds of many for centuries. From Thor to Loki, the tales of these figures have been retold and reimagined in countless ways throughout history. You're probably familiar with some of them thanks to popular comics and hit movies, however, most of them revolve around deities with intriguing and complicated personalities, which have survived through oral tradition and later print.
To learn more about the fascinating world of Norse mythology, click on the following gallery.
The real Thor and Valhalla: unveiling the secrets of Norse mythology
Fascinating facts about Norse mythology
LIFESTYLE Lore
Norse mythology has captivated the minds of many for centuries. From Thor to Loki, the tales of these figures have been retold and reimagined in countless ways throughout history. You're probably familiar with some of them thanks to popular comics and hit movies, however, most of them revolve around deities with intriguing and complicated personalities, which have survived through oral tradition and later print.
To learn more about the fascinating world of Norse mythology, click on the following gallery.