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

hagbard

Hagbard

Hagbard (Old Norse Hagbarðr), the brother of Haki and son of Hamund, was a famous Scandinavian sea-king in Norse mythology. He is mentioned in Skáldskaparmál, Ynglinga saga, Nafnaþulur, Völsunga saga and Gesta Danorum. The heroes' connections wi...
helgi_the_sharp_ringerike

Helgi the Sharp (Ringerike)

Helgi the Sharp in Ragnarssona þáttr

In the saga "Ragnarssona þáttr," Helgi the Sharp emerges as a notable figure. This tale is part of the larger Norse mythology and sagas that detail the exploits of the legendary Viking Ragnar Lothb...

egil_brother_of_volund

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...
angantyr_heidreksson

Angantyr Heidreksson

Heidrek would have the daughter Hervor and the sons Angantyr and Hlöd. When Heidrek, the king of the Goths died, Angantyr inherited and refused to give Hlöd equal share. Hlöd attacked with the Hunnish army and in an epic battle, Hlöd was slain. A...
gumundr

Guðmundr

Guðmundr (Old Norse, sometimes anglicised as Godmund) was a semi-legendary Norse king in Jotunheim, ruling over a land called Glæsisvellir, which was known as the warrior's paradise.
bdvar_bjarki

BÃdvar Bjarki

BÃdvar Bjarki (Old Norse: BÃðvar Bjarki), meaning 'Warlike Little-Bear', is the hero appearing in tales of Hrólf Kraki in the Saga of Hrólf Kraki, in the Latin epitome to the lost SkjÃdunga saga, and as Biarco in Saxo Grammaticus' Gesta Danorum.
heidrek

Heidrek

Heidrek or Heiðrekr is one of the main characters in the cycle about the magic sword Tyrfing. He appears in the Hervarar saga, and probably also in Widsith,[1] together with his sons Angantyr (Incgentheow) and Hlöð (Hlith), and Hlöð's mother Sif...
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...
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...
thor

THOR

He it was who men and their labors from the wild forces of nature, personified as Giants. Thus he held sway in certain Northern regions over air and climate, over rain and harvest. 2 As the god of fertility, however, he had to divide his rule with t...
helgi_hundingsbane

Helgi Hundingsbane

Helgi Hundingsbane is a hero in Norse sagas. Helgi appears in Volsunga saga and in two lays in the Poetic Edda named Helgakviða Hundingsbana I and Helgakviða Hundingsbana II. The Poetic Edda relates that Helgi and his mistress Sigrún were Helgi Hj...
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...

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: 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...

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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...


Norse Mythology based games

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

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

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

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


Norse Mythology Facts

Mythology in POP Culture
    • Zeus - In Greek mythology, the god Zeus was known for his power and his ability to control the weather.
    • Nääs - The Sami believed that the souls of the dead went to a place called Nääs.
    • Symbol of Purity - The white clothes that represent virginity and purity in the Christian mythosphere are associated with spirituality and otherworldliness in the Hindu mythosphere; are restricted to monks, priests, and widows; and do not form part of household rituals.
    • Northern Lights - The Sami believed the northern lights were a sign of their gods and goddesses dancing in the sky.
    • Giants - In Norse mythology, the giants are a race of powerful beings who live in Jotunheim.