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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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 Origin of the Norn The Germanic peoples seem to have been much impressed by the idea of overruling fate or, at first, of powers controlling the destinies of men and even gods, and it enters largely into their literature. “Fate none can escape” is the terse saying of Gudrun in Atlamal. Different words expressed …
The Norns: Fate Weavers of the Norse (+ Portrait & Origins) Read More »
What is a Fylgja? In Norse mythology, Fylgja were invisible guardian spirits for a person or family, usually in animal form or as a copy of a person’s body. The Fylgja accompanied people in life, shielded, warned and consoled them. However, if a person’s Fylgja became visible, this meant their death was imminent. The Fylgja …
All about Fylgja: Norse & Viking Guardian Spirit Animals Read More »
Norse mythology has been a well studied field for a very long time, and as such there are tons of books out there that tell both the great and the small stories of Norse mythology. The best part about this is that you don’t need to spend any money to get these books. This is …
12 Free, High Quality Norse & Viking Mythology Books Read More »
Who is Ilya Bogatyr? Ilya Muromets is a famous Russian folklore hero, known since the time of the Kievan Rus period, nearly 1000 years ago. The folk tales of Ilya Muromets describe him as being born from lowly peasants, and he himself suffered from illness that kept him bed ridden until the age of 33. …
Stories of Ilya Muromets: Russian Knight & Bogatyr Read More »
Story of Signy and Sigmund Signy was the daughter of Volsung and the sister of Sigmund. Her husband slew Volsung by treachery and captured his sons. One by one he chained them at night to where the wolves would find them and devour them. When the last, who was Sigmund, was brought out and chained, …
The Story of Signy and Sigurd (from Norse Mythology) Read More »