Mythology: Norse

"Interested in Norse mythology and don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered! Here’s everything you need to know about the basics of Norse mythology (plus a little more) ... "

"Ragnarök, also known as doom of the gods, is a series of events that is part of the religion of the ancient Vikings and the northern Germanic peoples. It refers to the events surrounding the end of the world, including the deaths of almost all the gods. However, unlike many other world's end myths, Ragnarök is part of a cycle of death and rebirth. Two humans and several younger gods survive its events and proceed to repopulate the earth ... "

"In the world of Norse mythology, we find gods and goddesses, giants, strange and powerful creatures, elves, dwarves and land spirits. It is difficult for a 21st century person to conceive of the worldview of the Vikings, brimming as it was with such a variety of spiritual beings ... "

"The collective myths of the Scandinavians (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Iceland). The main sources for Norse mythology, Indo-European in origin, are the Icelandic Eddas. The shaping of Norse mythology itself took place in Germanic Europe, including those elements of the myths which were current in Scandinavia in the millennium before that ... "

"Odin is one of four deities who appear in both Norse (Scandinavian) and Germanic mythology. The other three are Thor, Tyr, and Freya (also known as Frigg). Odin was the greatest and oldest god of the Aesir, one of two tribes of deities (the other was the Vanir). He was considered the god of both war and the dead, and he was a protector of heroes. He was also the god of poetry."

"Odin, the principal Aesir god, ruler of heaven and Earth, and the god of war, wisdom, and poetry. With his brothers Vili and Ve he had killed the primordial frost giant Ymir and used Ymir’s body to make all the different realms of the world, as well as the sea and sky ... "

"Known as “all-father,” among many other epithets, Odin was usually depicted with one eye and a long beard. He would often be accompanied by his familiars—the wolves Geri and Freki, and ravens Huminn and Muninn—and rode an eight-legged horse named Sleipnir ... "

"Thor, also spelled Thorr, Thunor, Thonar, Donar, Donner, Thur, Thunar, or Thunaer, in Norse mythology was the god of thunder and the sky. Thor was the eldest son of the chief deity, Odin, and Jorth. He was second only to Odin in importance and was probably the most popular god of the Norse pantheon. Thursday, the fifth day of the week, was named for Thor; the name is believed to be derived from Jupiter Tanarus, the Thundering Jupiter, a Celtic deity ..."

"Thor, the god of thunder, was one of the most well-known figures in Norse mythology—the set of beliefs, rituals, and legends of ancient Germanic peoples. Especially popular during the Viking Age, Norse mythology flourished in Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. Thor was the son of Odin, ruler of Asgard, one of Norse mythology’s Nine Worlds ... "

"The son of Odin was often regarded as the strongest of all the gods since he was tasked with safeguarding Ásgard, the stronghold of the Æsir (one of the two main clans of Norse deities). His prominence is reflected in the many ancient poems and sagas that tell tales of his feats and deeds ... "

"Loki is a god in Norse mythology. In some versions of the myths, he is a god of fire. In other versions, he is a giant instead of a god. In others, he is the personification of evil. However, in most of the stories in which he appears, Loki is a trickster. He deceives others by changing his appearance, including his gender and shape. Loki is a member of the Aesir, the main group of deities in Norse myths. Other members include Odin, the head of the Aesir; Odin’s wife Frigg; the god of war Tyr; and the god of thunder, Thor."

"Loki, in Norse mythology, the evil trickster fire god, always mischievous, deceptive, and scheming, and one of the most well-known characters in Norse poetry and saga. As his name is derived from the Germanic root of flame, Loki is believed to have originally been a fire spirit. He was a trickster figure, and, as a shape-shifter, could become different animals at will."

The great trickster god of the Norse pantheon, Loki was a devious deity known for his many schemes and deceptions. A shapeshifter, Loki’s forms were as varied as the motives for his mischief, which included wealth, women, and wisdom..."