Norse Mythology

Norse Mythology

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"Norse mythology is the body of myths of the North Germanic peoples, stemming from Norse paganism"

Norse mythology is the body of myths of the North Germanic peoples, stemming from Norse paganism and continuing after the Christianization of Scandinavia, and into the Scandinavian folklore of the modern period.

Norse mythology is the traditional belief system of the people of Scandinavia, which includes the myths, legends, and religious beliefs of the ancient Norse. Here are a few examples of famous myths from Norse mythology:

  • The story of the creation of the world: According to Norse mythology, the world was created by the god, Odin, Vili and Ve. They created the world from the body of the giant Ymir.
  • The story of Thor: Thor is the god of thunder and is known for his strength and courage. He is often depicted as a fierce warrior, wielding a powerful hammer.
  • The story of Odin: Odin is the chief of the gods and is known as the All-Father. He is the god of wisdom, poetry, and war, and is often depicted as a one-eyed old man.
  • The story of Loki: Loki is the trickster god of Norse mythology and is known for his cunning and wit. He is often depicted as a shape-shifter and is considered a bringer of chaos and mischief.
  • The story of Ragnarok: Ragnarok is the end of the world in Norse mythology, where gods, giants and monsters will fight in a great battle that will ultimately lead to the death of many gods and the destruction of the world.

These myths, along with others, are used by the Norse people to explain the origins of their people and their customs and to reinforce their traditional beliefs and values. Norse mythology is polytheistic, with a pantheon of gods and goddesses, and it was an important aspect of the Norse religion.


Norse Mythology Legends

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Egil, brother of Volund

Egil is a legendary hero of the Völundarkviða and the Thidreks saga. The name is from Proto-Germanic *Agilaz[1] and the same legend is reflected in Old English Ægil [æɡiɫ] of the Franks Casket and Alamannic Aigil of the Pforzen buckle. The Pro...
haki

Haki

Hake, Haki or Haco, the brother of Hagbard, was a famous Scandinavian sea-king, in Norse mythology. He is mentioned in the 12th century Gesta Danorum, and in 13th-century sources including Ynglinga saga, Nafnaþulur, Völsunga saga. If historical, he...
einherjar

Einherjar

In Norse mythology, the einherjar (Old Norse literally "army of one", "those who fight alone"[1][2]) are those who have died in battle and are brought to Valhalla by valkyries. In Valhalla, the einherjar eat their fill of the nightly-resurrecting bea...
gjki

Gibica

Gibica (also known as Gjúki, Giuki, or Gibicho) is a figure from Norse mythology, prominently featured in the Völsunga saga and in the Nibelungenlied, a Middle High German epic poem. In these sagas, he is portrayed as a king and the father of a signi...
beowulf

Beowulf

Beowulf is actually not part of Norse mythology but rather an epic poem from Anglo-Saxon (Old English) literature. While it is true that the poem features themes, characters, and settings that are reminiscent of Norse and Germanic folklore, it is dis...
hagbard_and_signy

Hagbard and Signy

Hagbard and Signe (Signy) (the Viking Age) or Habor and Sign(h)ild (the Middle Ages and later) were a pair of lovers in Scandinavian mythology and folklore whose legend was widely popular. The heroes' connections with other legendary characters place...
njord

Njord

jord (Njorðr, originally Nerpuz) guides the course of the winds and governs sea and fire; he grants to those who call upon him good fortune at sea and in the chase, and he dispenses wealth, whether of lands or of chattels. Of old he came from Vanahe...
hildlfr

HildÃlfr

HildÃlfr (Old Norse "war-wolf") is a son of Odin according to the Nafnaþulur list of the Prose Edda's Skáldskaparmál.
odin

Odin

Odin, the supreme deity, had, besides the title of All-Father, many other names. He was called Ygg (The Awful), Gagnrad (He Who Determines Victories), Herjan (God of Battles), Har (The High One), Jafnhar (Even as High), Thridi (Third), 1 Nikar, Nikud...
angantyr_the_berserker

Angantyr the Berserker

Angantyr's father Arngrim had given him the magic sword Tyrfing, which cut through anything as if through cloth, and which killed a man every time it was unsheathed. He was the tallest of the twelve sons of the berserker Arngrim, and he and his eleve...
angantyr_hfundsson

Angantyr HÃfundsson

Angantyr's daughter Hervor married Höfund of Glæsisvellir and they had the sons Heidrek and Angantyr. Angantyr would be the next of Tyrfing's victims. Angantyr's brother Heidrek had made himself impossible at home and was banished by his father. An...
frey

Frey

Njordâ's son is Frey, who is fair to look upon, mightier and more valorous than even his own father. He governs weather and tillage; in his hand lie prosperity, joy, and peace. Like Njord, Frey is called Scion of the Vanir, the Vanir-God; also, God o...

Norse Mythology in POP Culture

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Thor

Two worlds. One hero.

The warrior Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard by his father Odin (Sir Anthony Hopkins) for his arrogance and sent to Earth to live amongst humans. Falling in love with scientist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) teaches Thor much-needed lessons, and his new-found streng...

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Thor: Ragnarok

No Hammer. No Problem.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is imprisoned on the other side of the universe and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarök, the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization, at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Cate Blanche...

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Thor: The Dark World

There was darkness.

Thousands of years ago, a race of beings known as Dark Elves tried to send the universe into darkness by using a weapon known as the Aether. Warriors from Asgard stopped them, but their leader Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) escaped to wait for another opportunity. The warriors find the Aether, and...


Norse Mythology based games

Age of Mythology

Age of Mythology

Age of Mythology is a real-time strategy game set in the ancient world, players control one of three civilizations (Greek, Egyptian, Norse) and use the powers of their gods to defeat their enemies.

Release Date: 2002-10-01

Developer: Ensemble Studios

Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios

Platform: PC

Genre: Real-time strategy

Rating: 8

God of War

God of War

God of War is a story of a father and his son, set in the realm of Norse gods and monsters. The game follows the journey of Kratos, a former Spartan warrior, who is now a father and must learn to control his rage to save his son and the world.

Release Date: 2018-04-20

Developer: Santa Monica Studio

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Platform: PlayStation 4

Genre: Action-Adventure

Rating: 9

Bayonetta

Bayonetta

An action hack and slash game in which players control a witch named Bayonetta as she fights against angels and other supernatural enemies.

Release Date: 2009-10-29

Developer: PlatinumGames

Publisher: Sega

Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U

Genre: Action

Rating: 8.5

Titan Quest

Titan Quest

An action role-playing hack and slash game set in ancient Greece, Egypt, and Asia.

Release Date: 2006-06-26

Developer: Iron Lore Entertainment

Publisher: THQ

Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360

Genre: Action role-playing

Rating: 8

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

An action-adventure game in which players control a young man named Link, who sets out on a quest to rescue Princess Zelda and defeat Calamity Ganon.

Release Date: 2017-03-03

Developer: Nintendo EPD

Publisher: Nintendo

Platform: Nintendo Switch, Wii U

Genre: Action-adventure

Rating: 9.5


Norse Mythology Facts

Mythology in POP Culture
    • Resurrection - A demon can die, but can also be resurrected because he possesses the secret of reviving the dead.
    • Swastika - To the Western eye the swastika is the symbol of Hitler and the Holocaust. To Hindus it is associated with auspiciousness and fertility.
    • Harpies - In Greek mythology, the Harpies are winged monsters with the heads of women.
    • Sphinx - In Greek mythology, the Sphinx is a creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human.
    • Meadow Louse - Meadow Louse was a Sami god who was responsible for creating the world.