Norse Gods and Goddesses—Mrs. Thaler Asgard – Heaven Midgard – Earth Yggdrasil – World Tree

Norse Mythology Objectives: You will be introduced to the world of Norse Mythology--and gain understanding of the culture, belief system, Learn the gods/goddesses of early Viking culture (Nordic countries) and Nordic folklore. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden

Viking Maps

Journal: You have now entered Yggdrasil…

THE WORLD TREE Yggdrasil—World Tree with Asgard at the top

Fatalism Foundational cultural belief in their own eventual destruction. Fate, predestined to face inevitable doom Fight between good/evil, tragic Gods will fight to the end in War to have a seat at Valhalla (in Asgard) Death inevitable—triumph, victory, honor Predates Christianity/Pagan beliefs

Two Tribes Vanir Aesir Two groups of Gods After the big war, Vanir becomes a subgroup Of the Aesir and become a single tribe

The NINE worlds of Norse Niflheim World of ice “Abode of Mist”, fog, “mist world” Muspelheim --World of Fire --Fire demon’s home, Surtyr is ruler

Worlds..continued 3. Vanaheim World of the Vanir (Vanr singular) A place of fertility, wisdom, and ability to see the future Njord and his children Freyr and Freyja are Famous Vanirs. At war with the Aesir

Worlds continued 4. Asgard—world of the Aesir, Home of the Gods Associated with Power and War Asynja (feminine, plural) Odin, Frigg, Thor, Baldr, and Tyr are famous warriors from Asgard Vile, Ve Home of Valhalla—heaven for great warriors, Odin’s hall, home of Einherjar—the souls of the greatest warriors, Selected by Valkyries

5. Jotunheim—world of the Jotnar (Frost Giants) Superhuman strength Stand in opposition to tribes of Aesir and Vanir, but intermingle and marry both. An area separated from Midgard (humans) by high mountains and dense forest

6. Midgard Land of average human existence Somewhere in the middle of Yggdrasil Surrounded by water or ocean that is impassible. AKA—”middle earth” in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy

7. Alfheim World of the Alfar (Elves) Divine/Semi-Divine beings endowed with magical powers 8. Svartalfheim --World of Svartalfar (Black Elves)

9. Nidavellir (Hel) World of Nioavellir (Dark Fields) Home of the Dwarves Hreidmar is the king here

Other Parts: Rainbow—(Bifrost) Burning rainbow bridge connecting Midgard and Asgard Heimdallr guards it from the jotnar (frost giants) Will be destroyed at Ragnorok (end of the world battle)

Ratatosk(r) Messenger Squirrel Carries messages between Eagle at top and the Nidhogg at the bottom

Nidhogg Midgard serpent (Snake/Dragon) Grows so that it stretches around the world Will bring doom to the Gods/Universe Represents the end of the world/the edge Danger Ultimate adversary of Thor

Odin/ Woden/ Wotan Chief of the gods Father of Thor, Balder, and other gods Odin pierces himself with a spear and hangs on Yggdrasil for 9 days and nights to learn the secret knowledge of runes Has one eye because he traded it for a drink from the spring of clairvoyance His two ravens are called Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory)

Valkyries and Valhalla Valkyries are female spirit warriors that ride the battlefields and find worthy slain warriors and takes them to Valhalla where they will train until Ragnarok. The northern lights are light shining off of their shields Valhalla is the Hall of the Slain. It exists in Asgard, home of the gods “Ride of the Valkyries” Richard Wagner

Thor/ Thunor God of thunder and lightning Mjollnir (the destroyer) – an ax-hammer that can destroy giants and mountains in a single blow Has a chariot pulled by two goats. He can kill these goats and eat them and they will come back to life. Is constantly fighting the World Serpent – Jormungand He is capable of drinking an ocean “Thursday” son of Odin and Jord Thor’s Helmet

Balder “The Beautiful” and “The Good” Primarily known for his death and resurrection The favorite child

Loki God of mischief and fire Trickster figure Unknown parentage Responsible for Balder’s death and punished by having snake venom drip on his forehead Jormungand, Hel, and Fenrir are his children Will begin Ragnorak

Bragi God of poetry and eloquence Loki calls him “Braggart” and the verb “to brag” comes from his name. Married to Idun

Idun Goddess of immortality Keeps the golden apples of youth Major story deals with a giant who, with Loki’s help, stole the apples, causing the gods to wither

Freyr / Frey God of agriculture, fertility, and plenty Twin to Freyja (they are VERY close) Unlike the other gods, Freyr and Freyja are earth dieties Has a sword that can fight by itself The boar is his symbol

Freyja Goddess of love and fertility Twin sister of Frey Slept with four dwarves to get a flaming necklace, which becomes her symbol of fertility Leader of the Valkyries She takes some of the dead warriors for herself Has a chariot drawn by cats Freyja’s hair

Frigg / Frigga / Frea Mother Goddess Wife of Odin Weaves clouds She knows events in the present and future, but is powerless to change them Learning of her son’s (Balder) death, she makes everything promise not to harm him – except the mistletoe

Tyr God of war and justice Precursor of Odin Boldest of the gods Lost his hand to Fenrir, Loki’s wolf-son His symbol is the spear which has become a symbol of justice

Heimdall “World Brightener” God of the dawn Great hearing (can hear grass grow) and eyesight Is the look out on Bifrost (the rainbow bridge to Asgard)

Hod God of winter and darkness Blind Tricked by Loki into killing Balder Vali killed Hod in revenge for Balder Will return during Ragnarok

Hel Daughter of Loki Giantess Goddess of death and the underworld Half black/ half white Her face and body are human but the legs are of a corpse Has two servants: Ganglati and Ganglot Spread the plague with a rake or a broom

Hel / Helheim The underworld The road to Hel is an icy river (Gjoll) full of weapons Guarded by a large dog (Garm) and Modgud (an ugly goddess) Nothing can leave Hel, not even gods The wicked go here and the people who do not die a glorious death in battle A giant in the form of an eagle sits and flaps his wings, making a freezing wind. His name is Hraesvelg (corpse eater)

Garm Garm guards the entrance to Hel Has four eyes and a bloody chest Could be appeased with cake as long as they gave the poor bread in life Will join the giants in Ragnorak

Wyrd Wyrd is a concept in Anglo-Saxon culture roughly corresponding to fate or personal destiny…do you believe in fate? What is your personal destiny?