Mr. Pratt

World Mythology

ASTEC Charter High School

Introduction to Norse

Mythology

Who Were the Norse? More commonly referred to as

“Vikings” Members of various, loosely

aligned Northern European tribes

Originated from Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden, and Denmark), but would eventually settle in the countries of England, Scotland, Wales, Iceland, Finland, Ireland, Russia, Italy, Canada, Greenland, France, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany

They are remembered in history as great sailors, navigators, pirates, and fierce warriors

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Viking_Expansion.svg

The Aesir

Odin Also known as Woden , All

Father , and Ygg The chief of the Norse Gods Wisest of the gods Is easily recognizable by his

long beard and one eye. When he visits the land of men, he often wears a grey cloak and a wide brim hat to cover the missing eye.

He has two ravens, Hugin (Thought) and Munin (Memory), and an eight legged horse named Sleipnir.

The day of the week Wednesday (Woden’s Day) is named after him.

Thor Son of Odin and Fjörgyn

(Earth) Described as having fiery eyes,

red hair, and a red beard God of thunder Strongest of the gods Most known for his hammer

Mjöllnir, which is the gods’ greatest weapon against the ice giants and other enemies to the Aesir

Thor rides a chariot pulled by his two goats, Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr

Thursday (Thor’s Day) is named after him.

FriggWife of OdinGoddess of marriageFriday is named for herThe only deity, besides

Odin, who is allowed to sit on the throne Hlidskjalf

BaldrGod of light, beauty,

and happinessWas loved by almost

everyoneA Christ-like figureHis death and

eventual resurrection will be sign of Ragnorok (The end of the world)

TyrGod of warIs recognizable by

his missing right arm (which was devoured by the ferocious wolf Fenrir)

Tuesday is named for him

The Vanir

HeimdallThe Guardian of

Bifrost, the rainbow bridge that separates our world from Asgard

He will sound the alarm that will alert the Aesir when Ragnorok begins.

Is said to have such acute hearing that he can hear a blade of grass grow

Had nine mothers

FreyjaThe goddess of love,

beauty, and fertilityRides a chariot

pulled by two catsPossesses a cloak

that allows flight and the legendary necklace, Brísingamen

Is believed by some to be a counterpart to Frigg