Norse Mythology=
Northern Europe
• Vikings – Norway, Finland, Sweden
• Pre-Christianity – pagan, heathens,• Cold, harsh climate
• Sea Culture
• Pessimists / Fatalists
• Wyrd - Fate
Muspelheim – land of fireSurt – giant guard
Ginnungagap – dark void
Niflheim – land of fog
Frost Giants
YMIR – wild, fierce, evil giant
Audhumla “Nourisher” – salt licking cow
First Norse Dieties
• Buri• Bor • Bestla
Odin - oldest and greatest
Vili - brother
Ve - brother
• Ash Tree Man Ask
• Elm Tree Woman Embla
First Humans
Yggdrasill – World Ash Tree• Connects all three worlds:
• Asgard – home of gods
• Midgard– land of man
• Niflheim – land of ice
Jotunheim – home of Jotun and giants
Hel – home of the dead
Bifrost Bridge
• Divine Bridge
• Link between humans and gods• Rainbow
Æsir (Sky Gods) Vanir (Land/WaterGods)
Norns:
Fate Maidens• Urd – Past • Verdandi – Present • Skuld – Future
Sacred Springs• Urd – Asgard (gods)
• Mimir – Jotunheim (giants)– Wisdom / Understanding– Odin sacrificed his eye
• Hvergelmir – Niflheim
Odin: god of gods and humans
• Domains:wisdom, war, witchcraft
and poetry
• Shape-shifter; shaman• Knowledge – Urd’s well
• Valhalla – Great Hall
• Zeus and Jupiter
• Óðinn
Odin’s Companions
• The Valkries– O’s Daughters– “Choosers of Slain”
– Hero Selectors
• Wolves
• Crows– Hugin / Munin
– Thought / Memory
• Draupnir (ring)
• Gungnir (spear)
• Sleipnir (8-legged horse)
Frigg: Wife of Odin
• Cloud spinner
• The most powerful goddess
• Domains: love, destiny and marriage
• Hera and Juno
Thor: The Warrior Son
• Strongest son of Odin
• Domains: thunder, battle and fertility
• Fierce temper• Mjollnir –hammer• Charioteer / goats
• Þórr
Balder – Beloved Son
• Son of Odin and Frigg
• God of radiance, rebirth, justice and light
• Beautiful
• Killed by Loki
Njord
• Domains: wind and sea• Patron of sailors• Poseidon and Neptune
Frey and Freya: god and goddess of fertility
• Frøy: god of fertility, prosperity, sun and rain
• Frøya: goddess of love, fertility, beauty, magic, war and death
• Apollo• Aphrodite (Venus)
Idunn: O’s daughter-in-law
• Goddess of youth
• Keeper of the golden apples
(youth)
• Iðunn
Loki• Son of Giants• Half blood god
– mixed blood with Odin – magic powers
• Trickster– Cunning and deceitful– Many Disguises
• Evil • Evil Children
Ragnarok Doomsday, Final Battle • Loki and his Children:
• Fenrir – “The Wolf Destroyer”• World Serpent “Jormungandr”• Hel – goddess of the dead
VS.
-The Gods of Asgard
- Humans
- Good will Fail
Works Cited
Maja. Sandra and Maryanne. ”Northern Europe: Norse Mythology.” PowerPoint. 15 November 2008.
“Ymir.” Photograph. 15 November 2008. www.geocities.com/avengersmicros/Ymir.gif
”Bifrost Bridge.” Painting. 15 November 2008. home.earthlink.net/.../art/Godsdescend.jpg
”World Serpent.” Strange Vehicles.15 November 2008. strangevehicles.greyfalcon.us/.../Ritter3.png
Barnum, Joanna R. “The Norns.” Elfwood. 15 November 2008.http://elfwood.lysator.liu.se/loth/j/b/jbarnum/
Anna. “Valkry.” Photo of tattoo pattern. Custom Embroidery Patches. www.lunadelsole.com/valkrie.JPG
“Fenrir.” Elfwood. Drawing. 15 November 2008. www.elfwood.com
Norse Mythology=