Norse Mythology

Mythology I

Background “Norse” refers to Danes,

Norwegians, Swedes (a.k.a. “Vikings”)

The Viking Age was 780-1070 A.D.

Vikings spread from Scandinavia to Iceland, Greenland, Ireland, Scotland, Russia, and North America

Norse myths reflect the nature of the Viking people

SourcesElder Edda or Poetic Edda: a group of

poems by various authors that were probably written in the tenth century

Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson Written around 1200 A.D. Includes retellings of most of the poems from the

Elder Edda Influenced by Christianity

The NORSE WORLD

YggdrasilL “The World Tree” World is separated into 9

realms on three levels Most important: Asgard

(home of the gods), Midgard (home of men), Jotunheim (home of giants), and Hel/Niflheim (home of the dead)

Asgard and Midgard are connected by Bifrost, the rainbow bridge

GODS of the NORSE

Æsir and VanirTwo races of gods in Norse mythologyÆsir are the more war-like gods: Odin,

Frigg, Thor, Balder and TyrVanir are the more peaceful fertility gods:

Njord, sea god, and his children, Freyr and Freyja

These clans battle, exchange hostages, etc.

ODINSon of Bestla and Bor, brother of Vili and VeFather of Balder, Tyr, Heimdall, and othersThe All-Father, God of BattleDwells in Valhalla, where he welcomes

courageous warriors after deathPossesses Gungnir, a great spear which he

can use to start warsRides Sleipner, the eight-legged horse who is

the fastest steed in the world

ThorGod of Thunder, strongest godSon of Odin and Jord (Earth), husband of SifProtects Asgard, battles giantsOwns the war hammer, Mjolnir, which, when

thrown at a target, returns to the ownerAlso owns a belt which boosts his strength

and a pair of special iron glovesHis chariot is drawn by two goats, which he

can eat and resurrect

BalderGod of innocence, beauty, joy, purity, and peace Son of Odin and FriggKilled by a trick of LokiWill return to rule after the end of the age

LokiSon of giants, father of the Fenris-Wolf,

Midgard serpent, Hel, and SleipnerMarried goddess Sigyn, had two sonsTrickster hero/god, neither fully good or

badAble to change shape and genderNever worshipped by men

tyrGod of single combat

and heroic glory Once thought to be

head of the Norse pantheon, later said to be son of Odin

Sacrificed hand to bind the Fenris-Wolf

frigg Wife of Odin Goddess of marriage,

motherhood, fertility, love, household management, and domestic arts

Has the power of prophecy but does not tell what she knows

Is said to have woven or spun the clouds

FreyjaDaughter of Njord, the sea god, and twin sister

of FreyrGoddess of love, sex, beauty, prophecies and

attractionOwned the necklace Brísingamen, and a cloak

of feathers, which let her change into any bird Rides in chariot drawn by catsOften desired and fought for by gods, giants,

and dwarves

freyrSon of Njord, the sea god, and

twin brother of FreyjaFertility god; rules over rain,

shining of the sun, and produce of the fields

Marries a giantess, GerdRides a boar with golden bristlesHas a magical sword and a

magical ship

HeimdallGuardian of the gods

and AsgardBlows the horn Gjall if

danger approachesStationed at Bifrost, the

rainbow bridge Extremely acute senses,

does not sleepSon of nine different

mothers

The NornsThree women: Urd (fate),

Verdandi (being) and Skuld (necessity)

Weave the tapestry of fates in which each person's life is a thread, even the gods’

Live by a root of YggdrasillGuard the spring of fate

The Valkyries“Choosers of the Slain”Always femaleGive victory in battle

according to Odin’s willServants in ValhallaOrigin, names, and

powers differ according to various myths

Questions?