[Belief Systems] 2011-2012
Norse/Viking Mythology Belief System Information
Culture
The Norse people of northern and central Europe spread beyond their homelands into southern
Sweden and Norway. The Norse settled in parts of the British Isles, Iceland, eastern Russia, and Greenland.
The Norse influenced the populations of Modern Day Britain, Ireland and Iceland
Religion
The religion of the Norse was not as impactful as Greek Mythology but it
did have a lasting impact in Northern Europe. The Norse did not build temples
but they worshiped at home. They had sacred groves or a simple altar made of
piled stones. However there is archaeological evidence that there was a temple
known as “Uppsala” but the only remains are 3 statues of Odin, Thor and Frey,
the main gods of worship.
The Norse had their traditions maintained by the Volvas, or female
shamans, sacrifices however where the role of the king of the clan. Sacrifices
were done because of tradition. A Swedish King sacrificed nine sons in an effort to prolong his life until his
subjects stopped him. According to record the Kings sacrificed male slaves every ninth year that the Temple
Uppsala. Kings have also been sacrificed due to famine and losing wars.
The Norse believed the world was made up of several lands, or realms. The Earth or M IDGARD, was
one realm. An early Norse legend describes nine worlds that are place one above the other within a World
Tree, called YGGDRASIL. Yggdrasil has three roots. One reaches into Niflheim, the Underworld; another grows
to Asgard. The third stretches to Jotunheim, land of the giants.
A serpent called NIDHOGG sits at the base of Yggdrasil and gnaws at its roots. An eagle sits in the top
branches, and a squirrel runs up and down the tree carrying insults from the eagle to the serpent and back. A
spring, the source of wisdom, bubbles from Yggdrasil’s roots. A deer nibbles on its branches and a goat
graces nearby. From the deer’s antlers flow the world’s rivers, and from the goat comes mead to quench the
thirst of Odin’s warriors.
Mortals live in Midgard, or Earth, which is seen as a circle of land with an ocean all around. In the
ocean depths, its body coiled right around the Earth, lives Jormungand, the terrible world Serpent. Of the
two races of gods, the AESIR live in Asgard and the Vanir in a realm called Vanageim, beneath the Earth.
Other worlds include those of the elves and the dwarfs and the Powers of Fate.
These worlds were linked by various routes. The most well known was BIFROST, the rainbow bridge
between Asgard and Midgard. There were other routes that connected Asgard to Miflheim and to Jotunheim.
Look at the next page for a picture!
[Belief Systems] 2011-2012
[Belief Systems] 2011-2012
How do we know about Norse Mythology?
The Norse passed their myths through oral tradition. Our knowledge of their beliefs comes mainly
from literature written in the middle Ages, especially Iceland. The main sources are the Elder Edda and the
Prose Edda. The Elder Edda contains poems about the myths. The Prose Edda was written in the 13th Century
by a scholar. He retells the Norse creation myths and the amazing deeds of their gods and goddesses, giants,
dwarfs, elves, and heroes.
The Norse were a people used to hard weather, frequent war, and a rough life. To them the idea of a
struggle between gods and monsters came naturally. So, too, did a strong desire to explain the creation of
the world and its structure.
What Deities did they worship?
Odin, the god of the warriors and battle, but also the god of wisdom, magic, and poetry.
Odin had a horse called Slepner with eight legs so it never got tired, and two ravens called Hugin and Munin.
Odin sent the ravens out every morning and in the afternoon they came back to tell him all the news from all
over the world that day. Odin lived and ruled over Valhalla. All those who had fallen in battle came to Odin's
castle, Valhalla in Asgard.
Thor, the god of thunder.
When he rode across the sky in his enormous chariot drawn by goats, there was thunder and lightning. His
weapon was the hammer Mjollnir. Thor was the god of farmers and seafarers, always ready to protect
humans against the dangerous giants of the underworld.
Frey, the god of fertility, marriage and growing things.
When crops were sowed in the spring a hole was dug in the middle of the field. Pieces of bread and some
eggs were put into the hole and some beer was poured on top. This pleased Frey and he would probably
then help to make the crops grow tall and strong.
Loki, the god of mischief
Loki can be called the 'wizard of lies' and is in many ways the most interesting god in Asgard. Loki was
related to Odin, but their relationship was rather strange. He came to Asgard either as of right or because
Odin and he entered into a blood-brotherhood.
[Belief Systems] 2011-2012
Creation Story
Before the world was made, there was only Ginnungagap, or “the Yawning.” It lay between M USPELL, a land
of fire, and NIFLHEIM, a land of ice. As the ice and fire came together, they combined to make the giant YMIR,
and the cow, AUDUMLA. Other frost giants grew from Ymir’s body.
As Audumla licked the salty ice blocks with her rough tongue, the figure of Buri emerged. In time he had a
son, Bor, who in his turn was father of ODIN, Vili, and Ve. These became the first gods.
When Odin and his brothers grew to adulthood, they killed Ymir and used parts of his body to make the
world. His blood became the seas, his bones were made into mountains, and his flesh became the earth
itself. The Moon, Sun, and stars were made from sparks the gods took from Muspell.
Ymir’s skull was used to make the sky. Four dwarfs grew from maggots on the giants body. They were given
the names North, South, East, and West, and each stood at a corner of the sky to hold it up.
Odin, Vili, and Ve then set about putting their new world in order. They made ASK AND EMBLA, the first
people, from branches of ash and the elm that they found by the sea. And they built A SGARD, the home of
the gods.
The Norse believed the world was made up of several lands, or realms. The Earth or MIDGARD, was one
realm. An early Norse legend describes nine worlds that are place one above the other within a World Tree,
called YGGDRASIL. Yggdrasil has three roots. One reaches into Niflheim, the Underworld; another grows to
Asgard. The third stretches to Jotunheim, land of the giants.
A serpent called NIDHOGG sits at the base of Yggdrasil and gnaws at its roots. An eagle sits in the top
branches, and a squirrel runs up and down the tree carrying insults from the eagle to the serpent and back. A
spring, the source of wisdom, bubbles from Yggdrasil’s roots. A deer nibbles on its branches and a goat
graces nearby. From the deer’s antlers flow the world’s rivers, and from the goat comes mead to quench the
thirst of Odin’s warriors.
Mortals live in Midgard, or Earth, which is seen as a circle of land with an ocean all around. In the ocean
depths, its body coiled right around the Earth, lives Jormungand, the terrible world Serpent. Of the two races
of gods, the AESIR live in Asgard and the Vanir in a realm called Vanageim, beneath the Earth. Other worlds
include those of the elves and the dwarfs and the Powers of Fate.
These worlds were linked by various routes. The most well known was BIFROST, the rainbow bridge between
Asgard and Midgard. There were other routes that connected Asgard to Miflheim and to Jotunheim
What about the Underworld?
Niflheim: A world of ice, mist, and darkness where the land of the dead is to be found. It is guarded by Garm,
the savage dog.
Valhalla: The hall of warriors slain in battle. Warriors were brought to Valhalla by the Valykries.