Norse Mythology Basics

Why Important?

A. Norse mythology is quite en vogue right now (Thor, The Avengers, Loki, tattoos, etc) because of various cultural issues

B. The Norse invaded England. The combination of their culture and the existing Anglos created English

--Norse becomes British, British becomes American--THEREFORE, we’re still influenced by this culture established thousands of years ago

C. It’s fun

Basic GodsTHE AESIR

The collective name for the principal race of Norse gods; they who lived in Asgard, and under the leadership of the All-Father, Odin, ruled the lives of mortal men.

• Balder (god of beauty)• Freyr (god of fertility, who

originally was from the Vanir)• Heimdall (guardian of the

bridge)• Loki (god of fire and ally of

the frost giants)• Thor (god of thunder)

• Bragi (god of eloquence)• Forseti (god of mediation)• Hod (the blind god)• Njord (the sea god, and another ex-

Vanir)• Tyr (god of war)• Vili (brother to Odin)• Ve (brother to Odin)• Vidar (Odin’s son)

ODIN, The All-Father

• God of Knowledge– In one story he gave up

his eye for complete knowledge.

• Poetry• Two ravens on his

shoulder watched the kingdoms

• Characteristics

FREYJA

• Warrior Goddess• Goddess of Love and

Beauty• Queen of the Valkyries– Valkyries chose who died

in battle and sent them to Valhalla (afterlife)

• The word “Friday” stems from her name

Balder

• Son of Odin• Really nice guy• Killed when a mistletoe

was thrown at him.

Heimdall• Guard and watchman of

Bifrost – Bifrost was the rainbow bridge

leading to Asgard– The rainbow bridge is in many

traditions– Represents connection between

god and men or connection between the body and the soul

• Carries a sword, horn, and wears helmet– His horn signaled the end of the

world

Loki

• Not a god, but lives with them

• He is a giant (giants were evil)

• He was a shape-shifter• Foster brother of Odin• Unstable, flawed,

troublesome• See next slide

Loki, The Trickster• “…handsome and fair of

face, but has an evil disposition and is very changeable of mood. He excelled all men in the art of cunning, and he always cheats. He was continually involving the Aesir in great difficulties and he often helped them out again by guile.”

Asgard

• Where the Norse gods lived

• The equivalent to Olympus

• “It is a grave and solemn place, over which hangs the threat of inevitable doom

Bifrost

• The rainbow bridge that connects Asgard with the other realms– There are nine realms– Asgard is separated from

humans

Valhalla

• Where brave people and warriors go after death

• It is a hall in Asgard• After a person dies, Odin or Freyja pick the

souls that are worthy to go to Valhalla

Ydgradisill

• The tree of life• It supports the universe• It’s roots extend to each

world (there are three stacked on top of each other, Asgard, middle earth where humans are, underworld

The NineWorlds

• Asgard-top• Midgard- middle, humans• Lower world Bad guys (giants, dead)