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Did you know we have four days of our week named after Norse deities? Tuesday is named after Tyr; Wednesday was named to honor Odin, Thursday for Thor, and Friday for the goddess Frigg. Norse mythology includes the Scandinavian countries of Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland. This area is most famous for its Vikings. For many years, the stories of their gods and heroes were passed from generation to generation orally. It survives today thanks to sagas and poems like the Codex Regius and the Prose Edda, compiled by historian Snorri Sturluson, which contains most of the stories of Norse Mythology. The Norse are known for their use of kennings (a compound figurative expression used in place of a noun). For example: sea-horse (ship), slaughter-dew (blood) whale’s-way (the sea). Norse mythology is quite poetic and exciting. Its themes of bravery, order, and conquest still speaks to us today as evidenced by the popularity of the Hollywood blockbuster Thor. Norse mythology is filled with many different imaginary creatures that are probably quite familiar to you, like dragons, giants, trolls, dwarves, and elves. Most modern fantasy literature, like The Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings trilogy, have incorporated Norse mythology. Norse gods fell into one of two groups: the Aesir and the Vanir. The Vanir gods and goddesses were the earth deities like Freya, goddess of love and fertility, and her father Njord, god of the wind and sea. The Aesir gods were the ones who “ran things”, and they resided in the realm of Asgard. These were the gods and goddess of war and power like Odin, “Father of the Gods”, and his son Thor, “the god of Thunder,” who protected both humans and the gods from evil. The creation myth of the Norse says that a great giant named Ymir sweated the first male and female out of his armpit! The Earth was made from Ymir’s body after his grandson Odin killed him. According to the myths, the clouds were made from his brain. Norse Universe The Norse universe was divided into three levels. The world tree Yggdrasill was believed to run through each of these levels and connect them with its roots. The Upper Level This level contains: Asgard, the land of the warrior gods; Alfheim, the land of the elves; and Vanaheim, home of the Vanir. The Vanir are made up of the fertility, wisdom, and fortune telling gods. The Middle Level This realm was said to be surrounded by a great serpent, Jormungand, who bites his own tail to hold the earth together. Midgard, Jotunheim, Nidavellir and Svartalfheim are the homes of men, frost giants, dwarves, and dark elves, respectively. The Lower Level The lower level is made up of Muspelheim (“land of desolation”) and Niflheim (“land of mists”). Muspelheim is a desolate land filled with fire and guarded by Suri, the fire giant. The sparks from this land created the celestial bodies. Niflheim is ruled by the goddess Hel and is perpetually dark and cold. This is where evil men spend eternity. Painting depicting Ragnarok Ragnarök. Painting by Emil Doepler, Public Domain. The gods of Viking myth and legend were by far the most war-loving of all the pagan gods. The Norse apocalypse is called Ragnarok (“Doom of the Gods”). It foretells of a great battle that will be fought by Odin and his sons along with the great heroes of Valhalla (the warrior heaven). They will battle against the fire giants and others who join the side of evil. Odin and Thor will be killed, as will many other gods and heroes. Surt will then burn all of the worlds down, and the earth will sink into the sea. The story of the beginning and the end of the world are contained in a poem called the Voluspa (Wise Woman’s Prophecy). This myth was said to have been related to Odin by a seeress. Happily, this myth ends with a new world rising from the sea, free of evil and sadness. As you can see from the excerpt below, the gods and humankind then coexist in harmony for eternity. More fair than the sun, a hall I see, Roofed with gold, on Gimle it stands; There shall the righteous rulers dwell, And happiness ever there shall they have.