Norse Mythology=

Northern Europe

• Vikings – Norway, Finland, Sweden

• Pre-Christianity – pagan, heathens,• Cold, harsh climate

• Sea Culture

• Pessimists / Fatalists

• Wyrd - Fate

Muspelheim – land of fireSurt – giant guard

Ginnungagap – dark void

Niflheim – land of fog

Frost Giants

YMIR – wild, fierce, evil giant

Audhumla “Nourisher” – salt licking cow

First Norse Dieties

• Buri• Bor • Bestla

Odin - oldest and greatest

Vili - brother

Ve - brother

• Ash Tree Man Ask

• Elm Tree Woman Embla

First Humans

Yggdrasill – World Ash Tree• Connects all three worlds:

• Asgard – home of gods

• Midgard– land of man

• Niflheim – land of ice

Jotunheim – home of Jotun and giants

Hel – home of the dead

Bifrost Bridge

• Divine Bridge

• Link between humans and gods• Rainbow

Æsir (Sky Gods) Vanir (Land/WaterGods)

Norns:

Fate Maidens• Urd – Past • Verdandi – Present • Skuld – Future

Sacred Springs• Urd – Asgard (gods)

• Mimir – Jotunheim (giants)– Wisdom / Understanding– Odin sacrificed his eye

• Hvergelmir – Niflheim

Odin: god of gods and humans

• Domains:wisdom, war, witchcraft

and poetry

• Shape-shifter; shaman• Knowledge – Urd’s well

• Valhalla – Great Hall

• Zeus and Jupiter

• Óðinn

Odin’s Companions

• The Valkries– O’s Daughters– “Choosers of Slain”

– Hero Selectors

• Wolves

• Crows– Hugin / Munin

– Thought / Memory

• Draupnir (ring)

• Gungnir (spear)

• Sleipnir (8-legged horse)

Frigg: Wife of Odin

• Cloud spinner

• The most powerful goddess

• Domains: love, destiny and marriage

• Hera and Juno

Thor: The Warrior Son

• Strongest son of Odin

• Domains: thunder, battle and fertility

• Fierce temper• Mjollnir –hammer• Charioteer / goats

• Þórr

Balder – Beloved Son

• Son of Odin and Frigg

• God of radiance, rebirth, justice and light

• Beautiful

• Killed by Loki

Njord

• Domains: wind and sea• Patron of sailors• Poseidon and Neptune

Frey and Freya: god and goddess of fertility

• Frøy: god of fertility, prosperity, sun and rain

• Frøya: goddess of love, fertility, beauty, magic, war and death

• Apollo• Aphrodite (Venus)

Idunn: O’s daughter-in-law

• Goddess of youth

• Keeper of the golden apples

(youth)

• Iðunn

Loki• Son of Giants• Half blood god

– mixed blood with Odin – magic powers

• Trickster– Cunning and deceitful– Many Disguises

• Evil • Evil Children

Ragnarok Doomsday, Final Battle • Loki and his Children:

• Fenrir – “The Wolf Destroyer”• World Serpent “Jormungandr”• Hel – goddess of the dead

VS.

-The Gods of Asgard

- Humans

- Good will Fail

Works Cited

Maja. Sandra and Maryanne. ”Northern Europe: Norse Mythology.” PowerPoint. 15 November 2008.

“Ymir.” Photograph. 15 November 2008. www.geocities.com/avengersmicros/Ymir.gif

”Bifrost Bridge.” Painting. 15 November 2008. home.earthlink.net/.../art/Godsdescend.jpg

”World Serpent.” Strange Vehicles.15 November 2008. strangevehicles.greyfalcon.us/.../Ritter3.png

Barnum, Joanna R. “The Norns.” Elfwood. 15 November 2008.http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/loth/j/b/jbarnum/

Anna. “Valkry.” Photo of tattoo pattern. Custom Embroidery Patches. www.lunadelsole.com/valkrie.JPG

“Fenrir.” Elfwood. Drawing. 15 November 2008. www.elfwood.com

Norse Mythology=