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 …
All About Mead in Norse Mythology: Roles, Powers & History Read More »
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 …
How the Old Norse Vikings Worshipped & Prayed to Odin Read More »
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 …
24 Norse Mythology TV Series (& Movies) For History Lovers Read More »
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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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, …
All about Ask & Embla: The First Humans In Norse Mythology Read More »
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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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 …
Light & Dark Elves Norse Mythology (Ljösalfar & Dökkalfar) Read More »
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 …
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. …
Aegir & Ran: Gods of Calm & Stormy Sea (Norse Mythology) Read More »
Ullr (Or Ull) was son of Thor’s wife Sif by an unknown father, and stepson of Thor, called “Ullr’s glorious step-sire and his kinsman”. He is fair of face and has all the accomplishments of a warrior, therefore men do well to call on him in single combat. He is so excellent a bowman and …
All About Ullr: God of Archery & Hunting (Norse Mythology) Read More »