Norse or Nordic Mythology and Folklore

All About Mead in Norse Mythology: Roles, Powers & History

What is mead? Mead is an alcoholic drink made from fermented honey mixed with water, and sometimes with other ingredients such as fruits, spices, hops and grains. The beverage itself is ancient, and among the first popular and widely produced types of alcoholic drinks. Its origins can be traced back to the historical Vedic period …

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How the Old Norse Vikings Worshipped & Prayed to Odin

The highest, the supreme divinity, universally honoured among all Germanic people, would in the Gothic dialect have been called Vodans;  in Old High German Wuotan; the Longobards spelt it Wodan or Guddan; the Old Saxons Wuodan or Wodan, the Anglo-Saxons Woden, the Frisians Weda, and finally the Norse form which is Odin. The root of …

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24 Norse Mythology TV Series (& Movies) For History Lovers

Norse mythology is one of the best documented and richest cultural sources of popular folklore, although it’s not quite as widespread and well-known as Greek or Anglo-Saxon mythology. There have been many TV series and films inspired by Viking and Norse mythology, with some better than others. Below are two sections, one with the best …

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All about Surtr: the Greatest Fire Giant of Norse Mythology

Surtr (or Surt, Surtur), leader of the Fire giants of Muspellheim The giant Surtr with the flaming sword is guardian of the final fire that will burn up the world at Ragnarok. Fire-giants are the dwellers in the Fire-world Muspellheim who, led by Surt, will come forth to fight the gods at Ragnarock. Surt’s fire …

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Ask & Embla: How Two Trees Become the First Norse Humans

Although the gods had from the beginning designed Midgard, or Manaheim, as the abode of man, there were at first no human beings to inhabit it. One day Odin, Vili, and Ve, according to some authorities, or Odin, Hoenir (the bright one), and Lodur, or Loki (fire), started out together and walked along the seashore, …

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The Story of Ymir: the First Giant in Norse Mythology

The first giant, Ymir (or Aurgelmir, Brimir, Blaenn) existed before earth and sea were formed, and he was made from venom dropping from Elivagar (Stormy Waves) into Ginnunga-gap, the primordial void out of which all things were created. This venom congealed into ice, and the ice melted in contact with warm air from Muspellheim. Life …

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Light & Dark Elves Norse Mythology (Ljösalfar & Dökkalfar)

Origin of the word “elf” or “alfar” Along with the Æsir and Vanir the Eddas speak of the Alfar or elves. These are represented in later Germanic folk-belief, and equivalents of the name are Old High German alp, Anglo-Saxon ælf, Old Danish elv, Old Swedish älf. In Germany, the older use of alp or alb …

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Jotunns: Norse Giants Odin Doesn’t Want You to Know About

The Norse people imagined that the giants were the first creatures who came to life among the icebergs filling the vast abyss of Ginnunga-gap, the primordial void out of which all things were created. These giants were from the very beginning the opponents and rivals of the gods, and as the latter were the personifications …

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Aegir & Ran: Norse Sea Gods (Portraits, Powers, Role)

Ægir is god of the sea (ægir, “sea”) or rather a Sea-giant, and he was married to his sister, the goddess Ran. Ægir’s name comes from the Norse word for “sea” In Norse thought the sea was regarded as a mighty being, which was personified or regarded as more or less distinct from the sea. …

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