More than 1000 years ago, there was an era called the Viking era. They had never heard of any of our Gods, but had their own beliefs, and Gods. Today almost nobody believes in the ancient religion. We also got our names of the weeks from their gods, Tisdag (also know as Tyr, the god of war) Tuesday, Onsdag (also know as Odin who is the big god in Norse mythology), Wednesday, Thorsdag (know as Thor ruler of the weather and what not), and finally Fredag (known as Frigg who is the god of all things lovey-dovey and what not) Friday.
Overview: In Norse mythology, people basically fought for their gods, so they could get into the
Places:
These are the nine worlds, or levels of Norse mythology.
The first level is like our heaven, and consists of: Asgard, which is the world of the Aesir; Vanaheim, land of the Vanir; Alfheim which is the super special secret land of the light elves.
The second level is like our regular earth, and consists of Midgard, which is the Land of the Humans (middle world/garden); Nidavellir, which is the Land of the Dwarfs, Jotunheim which is the land of the giants, also called Jotuns, and Svartalfheim which is the Land of the Dark Elf.
The third level is like our hell, and consists of: Helheim, which is the realm of the dead, and Niflheim, which is the world of the dead.
If Hel and Niflheim do make up one world, as some sources suggest, the ninth may have been Muspellheim, (also called Muspell), which is land of the fire giants. This world, or region, to be exact , had exactly no place in the tricentric order of the universe, and Snorri Sturluson that it was the first world to ever come into existence, and lies in the Southern Hemisphere. Also, the worlds of Svartalfheim and Nidavellir were possibly the same. No valid distinction could be seen between the dark elves and the dwarves, which means that they could be the same.
Jotunheim is the homeland of the frost and rock giants. Situated in Midgard, in the middle of the Norse universe, Jotunheim is separated form Asgard by the river Iving, which never freezes. It lies in the snowy regions of the outermost shores of the ocean. Mimir’s well of wisdom is in Jotunheim, and beneath the Midgard root of the ash tree Ymir.
Gods
Audhumla- The primeval cow whose milk the giant Ymir fed from. She was made from the melting ice at the beginning of time, and sustained herself by licking the hoar frost from Niflheim.
Aegir- He is the god of the sea in Norse mythology. He was both worshipped and feared by sailors because they believed that he would occasionally appear on the surface of the water to take people, and cargo to his hall at the bottom. Sacrifices were made to please him, especially prisoners, before he sat sail. His wife is the goddess of the sea, Ran. He has nine daughters with her, who are know as the billow maidens. They wore white robes and veils. He had two faithful servants, Eldir and Femafeng. Femafeng was killed by the trickster god Loki during a dinner the god’s held at Aegir’s under water hall near the
Alberich-A dwarven king who had his castle in an underground palace carved out of rock and ornamented with gems and precious metals. He guarded the Nibelung stash and was a very powerful wizard. He gave Siegfried the sword Balmung and a cloak which granted invisibility. Freya got the necklace Brisingamen
Balder-Balder is the god of light and joy, purity, beauty, innocence, and understanding. He is the son of Odin and Frigg; he was loved by the gods and men alike. They considered him the best of the Gods. He had a good character, kind, friendly, wise, elegant, even though he had little power. He had a wife named Nanna, and they had a son, Forseti, who was the god of justice. Balder’s hall. Balder’s hall was Briedblik which means broad splendor.
Bragi- Bragi is the god of elegance, and poetry and poets which were called skalds. He is thought to be the son of Odin and Frigg. Runes were carved into his tongue to make him a better poet, and he inspired other skalds by letting them drink mead of poetry. He was married to Idun who was the goddess of eternal youth. Oaths were sworn over Bragarfull, (which translates into “Cup Full of Bragi”), and drinks were taken from it in honor of dead kings. All kings drank from this cup before the ascended a throne.
Bragi wasn’t originally a god, but a 9th century poet, whose name was Bragi Boddason, the poets from later centuries made him a god.
Eir- Eir which means mercy, is a minor Norse goddess of healing, she knew the secret hidden powers of herbs, with which she could even resurrect the dead. She taught this art only to woman, who way back then were the only physicians. She is the goddess of health care workers. She is one of the goddesses that lives upon the
Elli- Elli is the Norse goddess of old age, and the god who beat the god Thor in a wrestling match.
Forseti- He is the god of justice, the son of Balder, and his mother is Nanna. He rules in the
Freya- She is the Norse goddess of love and fertility and the most beautiful and propitious of all of the goddess. She is the first goddess of crops and birth, symbol of sensuality, and was called when anybody needs help with love. She likes music, springtime, and flowers, and is particularly fond of the elves, (which means fairies). She is the lead goddess of the Vanir. She is the daughter of Njord, and the sister of Freyr. She married the god Od, (which theologists believe that this possibly could have been another spelling of the name of the god Odin), who disappeared. During her mourning period she cried, and her tears turned into gold. She owns Hidesvini, (which means Battle Boar), which is actually her human lover, (Ottar), in disguise. She has a chamber maid named Fulla. Freya lives in Folkvang, (which means Field of Folk), where they always play love songs. Her hall is called Sessrumnir. She helps divide the slain warriors with Odin; half goes to her hall, the other goes to the hall of Valhalla. All women go to her hall.
Freyr- He is the god of the sun and the rain, and he is the patron of beautiful harvests. He is not only a god of peace, but also a fierce and powerful warrior. He is the leader of the elves; he is the most beautiful and prominent in the pantheon of male gods, and a member of the Vanir, and is called “the god of the world.” After the Aesir and the Vanir, he was called the “lord of the Aesir”. Freyr was also called upon to make sure a couple had a fertile marriage. He is married to the giantess called Gerd, and his father is Njord. His sister is the goddess of love, Freya. He rides a chariot pulled by a golden boar Gullinbursti which was made for him by the dwarves Brok and Eitri. He owns the ship of Skidbladir, (which means wooden-bladed), which always sails toward its target, and can shrink to fit in his pocket. He also had a sword that can unsheathe itself and tear anyone and anything to pieces, at the owner’s whim.
Frigg- She is the wife of Odin, and one of the foremost goddesses of Norse mythology. She is the patron of marriage and motherhood, and one of the goddesses of love and fertility. She shares many similarities with Freya, and could have possibly another form of her. She has an uncanny reputation to be able to know a person’s destiny, but never reveals it to that person. Being Balder’s mother, she tried to save him from dying by getting oaths from every thing in nature, but she forgot mistletoe. A fig made from mistletoe killed him. Her hall is in Asgard and is called Fensalir, (which means water hall). Her messenger is named Gna, who rides on a horse named Hofvarpnir. Sometimes Frigg was even to have secret love affairs with Odin’s brothers, Ve and Vili.
Gna- She was listed by Snorri Sturluson as one of the divine goddesses; however she appears to be nothing more than Frigg’s handmaiden. She has a very fast horse, named Hofvarpnir, who can run over air and water.
Heimdall- He is the god of light and the son of the nine mothers, (variously given as the daughters of Geirrendour, the giant of or Aegir).He was born at the end of the world and raised by the force of the earth and seawater, and finally the blood of the boar. Because he had shiny, golden teeth, he was often called Gullintani, which means gold tooth. His hall is called Himnbjorg, (which means The Cliffs Of Heaven), and his horse is Gulltop. He carries the horn named Gjallar.
Hel- She is the ruler of Helheim, the realm of the dead. She is the youngest daughter of the evil god Loki, and her mother is Angrboda. She is described as being a horrid hag, half alive, but also half dead. She has a gloomy and grim expression on always. Her face and body are of those of a living woman, but her legs and thighs are dead, rotting flesh.
Hermod- He is the son of Odin and Frigg and the messenger of the gods. After the death of her son Balder, Frigg looked for someone brave enough to face the goddess Hel, to plead for Balder’s Return. The great hero Hermod The Nimble, Said he would make the journey, so he mounted Odin’s horse Slepnir, and set off. When Hermod came upon the gates of Hell, he jumped right over them and entered the great hall of the dead. There he saw Balder and he begged Hel to release him because Balder was loved by all so no-one could miss him. Hel was dodgy and said she would release Balder on the condition that everything in the worlds, dead or alive, should weep for Balder. If only one thing should not cry, then she would keep Balder in the realm of the dead. Hermod returned to the land of the living and told the gods what Hel said they would have to do. Unfortunately, not everyone in Asgard wept and therefore Balder had to remain in the underworld until the end of the world. Hermod has a magical staff called Gambantein.
Hod- He is the blind god of darkness and winter, and is the son of Odin and Frigg. When the gods enjoyed themselves by using his brother Balder as a target, Hod, (being blind), accidentally threw a fig made from mistletoe, (mistletoe being the only thing that Frigg did not make a pact with, and it was the only thing that could harm Balder), at Balder and killed him. Hod was then sentenced to death by Vali, who was Odin’s youngest son who was born for revenge, but when the cosmos becomes destroyed, Hod will be reborn.
Holler- Holler is the god of death and destruction and the only god who brings diseases and disasters upon the world. He drags people to his dungeon and then painfully tortures them to death.
Laga- She is the Norse goddess of wells and springs. She is also a friend of Odin.
Lofn- She is the goddess of forbidden love. She loves for people to have illicit affairs.
Loki- He is one of the main gods in Norse mythology. He is regarded as one of the Aesir, but sometimes they think of him as their enemy. He is a trickster, but also a very heroic person, and is considered to be with fire and magic.
Njord- He is Norse god of winds, sea and fire. He brings fortune not only to those on the sea nut to those who are hunting. He was one of the Vanir, but when they made peace with Aesir he and his children were given as sacrifices.
Odin- He is the chief of divinity in Norse mythology. His mother and father were Bor and Bestla. He has had children with, Frigg, whom he had Balder, Hod and Hermod with; Jord whom he had Thor with. He is not only a god of war and death but he is also a god of poetry and wisdom. His hall is in Asgard and is called Valaskjaf, in which his throne, Hlidskjalf, sits. Since his blind in one eye, he has two Seeing Eye birds, Huginn and Muninn. He also lives in
Skadi- She a goddess and the embodiment of winter.
Snotra- She is a wise and gentle goddess, and the goddess of virtue and master of all knowledge.
Sol- She is the goddess of the sun. She is constantly being chased by the wolf Skoll who tries to devour her.
Svartalfar- They is a race of dark elves. They live underground in the earth and stone. Although they look like men, sometimes they look misshapen.
Thor- He is the god of thunder, and one of the most powerful gods. He was the only god that required human sacrifices. He has red hair and eyes of lightning.
Tyr- He is the Norse god of was and patron of justice. He is considered the boldest of the gods. In battle he instills courage within his men.
Ull- - He is god of justice and dueling and is also the patron god of agriculture.
Valli- Not much was known about him, except he was born to avenge his brother, Balder, who was killed by Hod.
Valkyrines- The name means choosers of the slain, and that is what they do, they scan all battlefields and then take the best to Vallhalla. When the women do this the men are then called Einherjar. They are women who wear helmets and have blonde hair.
Var- She is the goddess of marriage contract, and one of the principle goddess.
Vidar- He is the god of silence and revenge, and the second strongest of the gods.
|
|
||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||
