The Nine Realms in Norse Mythology.
- Niflheim: The Realm of Fog and Mist. Niflheim (Old Norse: “Niðavellir”) means (“Mist home” or “Mist World”), and it is the darkest and coldest region ...
- Muspelheim: The Land of Fire.
- Asgard: Home of the Gods.
- Midgard: Home of the Humans.
- Jotunheim: Home of the Giants.
Who is the evil giant in Norse mythology?
Surtr, also spelt Surtur or Surt , is a primordial Jötunn (giant) present in the Norse mythology. He's considered the one who shall end the world during Ragnarök. He's designed to be the "supreme evil" of the old scandinavian myths.
What animals are in Norse mythology?
Animals is Norse Mythology Norse mythology mentions a number of different animals, and most animals are given names. Boar Gold-Bristle and Fearful-Tusk are boars of Freyr mentioned in the Prose Edda. Cow Audumla is the cow that nourished Ymir. Dog Garmr is a dog mentioned in the Prose Edda. Goat
What weapons did the gods use in Norse mythology?
What were Odin Weapons?
- Sleipnir. Sleipnir was the great steed of Odin. He was the grey eight-legged horse with incredible abilities. ...
- Gungnir. The most famous weapon of Odin was Gungnir the spear. ...
- Wolves and Ravens. Odin was believed to have a pair of wolves as his constant companions. ...
- Draupnir. Draupnir was the golden ring of Odin. ...
What is the home of the gods in Norse mythology?
The Nine Realms in Norse Mythology
- Niflheim: The Realm of Fog and Mist. ...
- Muspelheim: The Land of Fire. ...
- Asgard: Home of the Gods. ...
- Midgard: Home of the Humans. ...
- Jotunheim: Home of the Giants. ...
- Vanaheim: Home of the Vanir. ...
- Alfheim: Home of the Light Elves. ...
- Svartalfheim: Home of the Dwarves. ...
- Helheim: Home of the dishonorable dead. ...
What are realms in Norse mythology?
There are nine realms in Norse Mythology, they are called Niflheim, Muspelheim, Asgard, Midgard, Jotunheim, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Svartalfheim, Helheim. The nine worlds in Norse mythology are held in the branches and roots of the world tree Yggdrasil.
What realm do the Norse gods live in?
AsgardAsgard, Old Norse Ásgardr, in Norse mythology, the dwelling place of the gods, comparable to the Greek Mount Olympus. Legend divided Asgard into 12 or more realms, including Valhalla, the home of Odin and the abode of heroes slain in earthly battle; Thrudheim, the realm of Thor; and Breidablik, the home of Balder.
What realm is Valhalla in?
AsgardValhalla is one of the 12 or more realms into which Asgard, the dwelling place of the gods in Norse mythology, is divided.
What are 9 realms Thor?
In the MCU, the Nine Realms are the nine regions of space that Asgard holds authority over: Asgard, Midgard(Earth), Jotunheim, Svartalfheim, Vanaheim, Muspelheim, Niflheim, Alfheim, and Nidavellir.
What realm is Asgard in?
Asgard – Realm of the Aesir.
What realm is Freya from?
Like her brother and her father, Freya was one of the agricultural Vanir gods rather than the warrior Aesir gods, but was sent to live among the Aesir in their heavenly realm of Asgard as part of a peace treaty between the two groups.
Why did Odin stop at 9 realms?
Like Bor his father, Odin resorted to cosmic war to control dangerous threats across the nine realms. Odin desired to be a 'benevolent' king, so he stopped when he established a peace that could be maintained. Additionally, the number nine is an important number in the old Norse myths, linked to magic and paganism.
Which realm is Thanos from?
In the alternate universe limited series Earth X, Thanos dwells in the Realm of the Dead with the entity Death.
Is Asgard different than Valhalla?
Asgard is one of the nine worlds of the Norse cosmos, where the Aesir gods reside and conduct their godly affairs. Valhalla is a majestic hall within Asgard, overseen by Odin, and home to the mighty einherjar, an army of resurrected Viking warriors who await their final battle at Ragnarok.
What does Loki call Earth?
Midgard: Home of the Humans and Inhumans. Also called Earth. Nidavellir: Home of the Dwarves.
What does Asgard call Earth?
MidgardAsgardians have a fascinatingly symbiotic relationship with the planet the refer to as Midgard.
How is Hela Loki's daughter?
Hela was born in Jotunheim, the land of the giants. She is the child of Loki (albeit a different incarnation who died during a previous Asgardian Ragnarok) and the giantess Angrboða.
What were the original nine realms?
Advertisement. Asgard – Realm of the Aesir. Alfheim – Realm of the Bright Elves. Jotunheim – Realm of the Giants. Midgard – Realm of the Humans. Muspelheim/Muspell – A fire-giant or the forces of chaos or their realm.
How many realms are there in the world?
The nine realms according to Snorri Sturluson and those who wrote after him are: Asgard – Realm of the Aesir, joined to Midgard by the rainbow bridge Bifrost. Alfheim – Realm of the Elves. Hel – Realm of those who died of illness or old age and then of most people. Jotunheim – Realm of the Giants and Frost Giants.
Where is Jotunheim in Midgard?
Jotunheim. Jotunheim (sometimes referred to as Utgard) is the realm of the giants and Frost Giants and is located near both Asgard and Midgard. Jotunheim/Utgard was considered beyond the realm of order, a primordial place of chaos, magic, and untamed wilderness.
What is Yggdrasil public domain?
The Public Domain Review (Public Domain) Norse religious belief was characterized by the concept of síður (meaning “custom” or “habit”) in that it was fully integrated into the lives of the people.
Why did the sons of Bor build a fortress around the world?
But further inland they built a fortress wall around the world to protect against the hostility of the giants.
Who is the home of the Aesir?
Asgard is the home of the Aesir, the majority of the Norse pantheon who warred with other gods known as the Vanir, made peace, and exchanged hostages to maintain that peace. Therefore, even though Asgard is primarily the home of the Aesir, there are Vanir who live there just as there are Aesir in Vanaheim.
Where did the Great Tree of the World come from?
It seems to have grown from the misty void of Ginnungagap which was bordered on one side by fiery Muspelheim and on the other by icy Niflheim.
How many realms are there in Norse mythology?
In Norse mythology there are said to be 9 different realms, sometimes known as the Nine Worlds. Niflheim and Muspelheim spawned from the empty void of Ginnungagap (think Chaos in Greek mythology ), whereas the remaining 7 derive from Ymir’s body. They are Alfheim, Asgard, Helheim, Jotunheim, Midgard, Svartalfheim, and Vanaheim.
What is the most famous sub realm in Asgard?
Perhaps the most famous of the sub realms of Asgard is Valhalla, the great golden hall ruled by Odin where brave warriors go in the afterlife. The half of the warriors who don;t make it to Valhalla end up in another Asgard sub realm, Folkvangr.
What is Freyr's Vanir?
Freyr is a Vanir associated with virility, good harvest, and peace, and is widely attested in Norse mythology.
What does Niflheim represent?
As one of the primordial realms of Ginnungagap, Niflheim represents the cold, whereas Muspehleim represents the fire. It is said that Odin threw Hel (Loki’s daughter) into Niflheim so she could preside over the nine realms.
What is the difference between Muspehleim and Niflheim?
As one of the primordial realms of Ginnungagap, Niflheim represents the cold, whereas Muspehleim represents the fire.
What is the realm of Alfheim?
Alfheim is a realm inhabited by light elves that is fairly uncommon in known Norse texts and is rarely referred to. That being said, the elves were regarded as beautiful beings and it is likely that Alfheim was highly thought of in Norse civilizations of the past.
Where are the giants in Ragnarok?
The Rocky Landscape of Jotunheim. Jotunheim is where the giants of Norse mythology reside. They are the enemies of the gods of Asgard and play a big role in Ragnarok and the demise of the world. Jotunheim is largely comprised of nature and rocky mountains and, in the absence of fertile land, the giants lived off the animals ...
What is the oldest realm in the Norse mythology?
Along with Muspelheim this was one of the oldest of the 9 realms, although the climates of the two realms could not be more different. Niflheim was said to be a primordial land of ice and mist, where all life in the universe began. In the Norse Creation story the great giant Ymir, who was the first living being, was created when the fire from Muspelheim met with the Ice from Niflheim.
What is the Norse god?
Yggdrasil, the tree of life, was considered to be the centre of the universe and connected all of the 9 worlds. The 9 realms were home to the various beings that were part of the religion of the Norse and Germanic peoples.
Why did the Norse Sagas exchange hostages?
According to the Norse Sagas they had been at war with the Aesir in the past and exchanged hostages in order to keep the peace intact. Amongst these hostages were Vanir gods such as Frey and Freya, who lived in Asgard as part of the peace agreement.
What is the realm of Vanaheim?
In both the Prose Edda and the Poetic Edda, Vanaheim was said to be the realm of the prominent Vanir god, Njord. Vanaheim was thought to be a fertile and magical land, however there are no surviving descriptions of this realm that are of sufficient detail to support this thesis.
What was the name of the giant that ruled the world of Ragnarok?
Muspelheim was a primordial world full of fire and lava and was the home of the great fire giant, Surtr. He was destined to be freed from his realm by a great earthquake during Ragnarok and lead the armies of chaos in their great battle against the Norse Gods.
Where is the Aesir's home?
Asgard was the home of the Aesir and was vaguely described in the sagas as being located somewhere in the sky. It was connected to the aforementioned Midgard (the world of men) by a rainbow bridge known as the Bifrost. This bridge was operated by Heimdall, and allowed for inter-world travel by the Gods.
Why is the Midgard Serpent called the Midgard Serpent?
His arch-nemesis, the giant serpent Jormungandr, was sometimes called the 'Midgard Serpent' or the 'World Serpent', due to his role in encircling the oceans of the world. It was said that he would rise up from the oceans and cause huge waves to wash ashore bringing great destruction and wreaking havoc upon humanity.
Asgard
Attested to in the myths as the realm of the divine gods, Asgard is a magnificent place known for its splendid castles and beautiful scenery. This realm is home to the Aesir gods, one of the two major races of gods in Norse mythology.
Midgard
Midgard is one of the realms the lie beneath Asgard (the realm of the Aesir gods). Ask and Embla are seen as the progenitors of humans in the realm of Midgard (Earth).
Alfheim
Alfheim was the of home of the light elves in Norse mythology. The realm abounds with beautiful elf creatures with glowing hue that are as bright as the sun.
Vanaheim
Vanaheim is the dwelling place of the Vanir, the less popular race of Norse gods. This realm is known for its rivers and very calm atmosphere. This is because the Vanir gods and goddesses live in peace among themselves. The Vanir deities are described as very wise and gifted in art of magic. They are also known for being fertility deities.
Muspelheim
Long before there was Midgard and other realms, there was Muspelheim, a primordial world of fire. This realm is regarded as the oldest of the realms, along with the cold and frigid realm of Nilfheim.
Helheim
Helheim is the home of dead people who went selected by Odin’s warrior maidens (the Valkyries). It’s ruler is the giantess Hel, daughter of Loki
Niflheim
Popularly known as the birthplace of ice giants like Ymir, the Norse realm of Niflheim is described as an icy region. It ranks as oldest realm in Norse cosmology, along with Muspelheim.
How many realms are there in Norse mythology?
According to Norse mythology, there are nine realms, all of which are nestled in the Tree of Life, Yggdrasil. Unfortunately, all nine realms will also be destroyed during Ragnarok, the end of days. Read on to discover more about each of the nine realms in Norse cosmology.
Where do the gods live in the Norse mythology?
2020-11-23 by Jessica S. According to Norse mythology, men live in Midgard, the world of mortal beings, and the gods live in Asgard, the world of the divine. But these are only two of the many worlds that make up Norse cosmology. According to Norse mythology, there are nine realms, all of which are nestled in the Tree of Life, Yggdrasil.
Why did Freya live in Asgard?
Freya is in fact one of the Vanir gods, but was sent to live in Asgard as a hostage to preserve peace between the warring tribes. Asgard is also the location of the Urdarbrunnr, the Well of Destiny, which is one of the three wells that nourished Yggdrasil in Norse cosmology. Asgard.
Why did Odin go to Jotunheim?
Odin passes into Jotunheim to consult with Mimir, the wisest of all beings, who lives at Mimisbrunnr, the Well of Wisdom, and the second of the wells that feed Yggdrasil. Jotunheim is considered a land of chaos beyond all law and order. The normal rules of the universe did not apply there.
Where is Midgard in Norse?
Asgard is directly connected with Midgard by a rainbow Bifrost bridge, allowing the gods easy access to this realm of which they are cartakers. Located somewhere around the middle of Yggdrasil in Norse cosmology, Midgard is described as circular, and surrounded by a deep sea that is impassable.
What is the realm of the Vanir?
Vanaheim – Realm of the Vanir. Vanaheim is the world of the Vanir gods (see our full post on Vanaheim ), the lesser deities in Norse mythology. They warred with the Aesir in the past, and exchanged hostages to maintain the peace.
How do the dead reach Helheim?
The dead reach Helheim via a long road called Helveg, and it involves crossing a bridge over a raging river flowing with weapons. This leads them to the only gate into Helheim, which is surrounded by strong walls. Once in Helheim, it is difficult to leave. Even Odin could not pull his divine son Balder out of Helheim.
Where is Jotunheim in the Norse realm?
In The Realms. Jotunheim is one of the nine worlds, the homeland of the frost giants and rock giants. Situated in Midgard, on the middle level of the Norse universe, Jotunheim is separated from Asgard by the river Iving, which never freezes over. It lies in the snowy regions on the outermost shores of the ocean.
Where is Alfheim in the realms?
It is located on the highest level of the Norse universe. Also found on this level are the worlds of Asgard and Vanaheim. Alfheim is the palace of the god Freyr and the homeland of the elves of light.
What does Surt do in Ragnarok?
Surt has a flaming sword and at the end of the world he will come and vanquish all the gods and burn the whole world with fire. At Ragnarok, Surt is accompanied by the Sons of Muspell who will “form a host in themselves and that a very bright one.”.
What is the bridge between Midgard and Asgard?
In Norse mythology, Bifrost is the bridge between Midgard, the realm of man, and Asgard, the realm of the gods. Since it is the only way for the giants to enter Asgard it is closely guarded by Heimdall, the watchman of the gods.
Where is Helheim in the realm of death?
The realm of death, Helheim is part of the vast, cold region. Niflheim lies underneath the third root of Yggdrasil, close to the spring Hvergelmir (“roaring cauldron”). Also situated on this level is Nastrond, the Shore of Corpses, where the serpent Nidhogg eats corpses and gnaws on the roots of Yggdrasil.
Where is the house of Helheim?
This cold, dark and misty abode of the dead is located in the world of Niflheim, on the lowest level of the Norse universe.
Who is the ruler of Jotunheim?
The stronghold of Utgard, the chief city of Jotunheim and the abode of the giants, is ruled by the giant Utgard-Loki. Other strongholds include Gastropnir, home of the giantess Menglad, and Thrymheim (“house of uproar”), mountain stronghold of the giant Thiazi.
Niflheim – Realm of Frost, Ice, Snow, and Mist.
- Niflheim, ‘mist-home’, ‘mist-world’, also called Niflhel, is an endless expanse of frost, ice, snow, and mist that lies to the north of Ginnungagap. It is a place of darkness, opposite in everything to Muspelheim to the south. The spring Hvergelmer, ‘bubbling, boiling spring’, runs through Niflheim, dividing itself into twelve icy streams. These tw...
Muspelheim – Realm of Fire
- Muspelheim, ‘home of Muspel’, ‘ lies to the south of Ginnungagap and is a place of unbearable heat and fire, filled with lava, soot, and tongues of flame. This inhospitable domain is the home of fire giants and of fire demons and is ruled over by the infamous fire giant Surt, also known as Muspel, who will one day set fire to the world tree. The flames of Muspelheim melted Niflheim ic…
Asgard – Realm of The Aesir
- Asgard, ‘enclosure of the Aesir’, is the home of the Aesir tribe of gods, including Odin, Frigga, and Thor. This realm is central to the universe. It floats in the skies high above Midgard and is the source of the Bifrostrainbow bridge that allows the gods instantaneous passage from their world to ours. It is a land of high towers, bounded by a protective wall and ruled by law, order, and desi…
Vanaheim – Realm of The Vanir
- Vanaheim, ‘home of the Vanir’,is the realm of the second tribe of gods known as the Vanir. While the Aesir are a warlike tribe unafraid to seek vengeance and destroy enemies, the Vanir, though capable of violence, are more peaceful and associated with fertility and the natural world. This beautiful realm is located to the west of Asgard as the Vanir god of the seas and of wealth, Njor…
Alfheim – Realm of The Bright Elves.
- Alfheim,also calledLjosalfheim, ‘elf-home’, is the abode of the bright elves and is located near Asgard in the skies above Midgard. The bright elves are beautiful, mystical beings and their ruler is Freyr, the Vanir god of fertility, hunting, and harvest. The elves are guardian spirits to be called upon for help and protection in dangerous ventures or in dire straits. In their role as subjects of F…
Jotunheim – Realm of The Frost Giants
- Jotunheim, ‘giant-home’, is the dwelling place of the ‘jötnar’, the giants. These massive creatures are wild, chaotic and the born enemies of the Aesir. They perpetually seek revenge for the death of Ymir and their giant forefathers at the hands of Odin and his Aesir allies. The only survivors of Odin’s slaughter were the giant Bergelmir and his wife who escaped in a small boat with the hel…
Midgard – Realm of Mortals
- Midgard, ‘middle enclosure,’ or ‘middle-earth’, is home to mortal humans and is positioned dangerously between Asgard and Jotunheim. Worse than this, the ‘middle’ refers to Midgard’s unfortunate situation of being surrounded by Jotunheim and thus in need of protection by gods and bright elves. The Bifrost bridge connects the mortal world with Asgard and allows the gods t…
Svartalfheim/Nidavellir – Realm of Dark Elves and Dwarves.
- Nidavellir, ‘low fields’, or ‘dark fields’ is the home of the dwarves. Svartalfheim, ‘black-elf-home’, is the abode of the dark elves Both dwelling places are located beneath the surface of Midgard. The dwarves are masters of every kind of metal shaping, mining, jewel making, smithing, and craftwork. Their home is a maze of underground mines and forges where they dig for raw materi…
Helheim – Realm of The Dead
- Helheim, ‘Hel-home’, or Hel,‘hidden’, is the dark residence of death goddess Hel and her terrifying familiars. This foreboding place is the final destination of all dead souls, save for those chosen to sit in Odin’s hall of Valhalla or Freya’s hall of Sessrumnirin beautiful Folkvangr. While those who have lost their lives honorably in battle continue on to feast with the gods, those who lack coura…
Niflheim – “The Home of Mist”
Muspelheim – “The Home of Fire”
- As with Niflheim, Muspelheim (sometimes referred to as Muspell) is one of two primordial realms of Ginnungagap. Muspelheim, however, is located in the southern region of the gaping void, and is a burning place abound with fire. Located within the depths of Muspelheim are fire giants and demons. The overlord of the fiery abyss is Surtr, a giant jötunnwho carries a bright flaming swor…
Alfheim – “The Home of The Elves”
- Alfheim is a realm inhabited by light elves that is fairly uncommon in known Norse texts and is rarely referred to. That being said, the elves were regarded as beautiful beings and it is likely that Alfheim was highly thought of in Norse civilizations of the past. It is believed that Alfheim was given to Freyr by the gods as a teething present. Fre...
Asgard – “The Enclosure of Aesir”
- Asgard is perhaps the most famous of all of the Nine Worlds. It is the home of the gods and is expressly highlighted in a number of important Old Norse texts and sagas. The name translates into English as the stronghold/enclosure of Aesir, the principal gods in Norse religion. It is believed that Asgard was destroyed and fully rebuilt in the events of Ragnarok. Within Asgard there are a …
Helheim – “The House of Hel”
- Helheim is presided over by the daughter of Loki, Hel. Here, she is responsible for overseeing all folk who were not honourable enough to enter either Valhalla or Folkvangr in Asgard. In Old Norse literature, Helheim is depicted as a cold and miserable place that sucks the life out of all those who arrive there. Indeed, it is said that anybody who ends up in Helheim will never feel happines…
Jotunheim – “The Home of The Giants”
- Jotunheim is where the giants of Norse mythology reside. They are the enemies of the gods of Asgard and play a big role in Ragnarok and the demise of the world. Jotunheim is largely comprised of nature and rocky mountains and, in the absence of fertile land, the giants lived off the animals that dwelled within the realm. Jotunheim is separated from Asgard by the Iving river…
Midgard “The Middle Stronghold”
- Midgard is the home of the humans and is located in the centre of the world, hence the name. It is believed that the Rainbow Bridge connects the mortal realm to Asgard. Surrounding Midgard is a large unsurpassable ocean that is guarded by the enormous Midgard Serpent. The serpent engulfs the entirety of Midgard in length due to its enormity. It is believed that Odin and the othe…
Svartalfheim – “The Home of The Dark Elves”
- In contrast to Alfheim, home of the light elves, Svartalfheim is home to the dark elves. Many scholars believe dark elves to be synonymous with dwarves. The dark elves are highly skilled in crafting, and many Old Norse sagas tell of the gods receiving powerful equipment from them. One famous example is the mighty spear of Odin. The king of Svartalfheim used to be the powerful s…
Vanaheim – “The Home of The Vanir”
- The Vanir were the gods of health, fertility, and wisdom. They are one of the two groups of Norse deities, the other being the Aesir. Notable examples of the Vanir include Njörðr(a divinity associated with the seas and wind), Freyr and Freyja (Njörðr’s children), and Kvasir.
FAQs
- What does Heim mean?
You may have noticed that a lot of the Norse mythology realm names end in the word heim (e.g. Niflheim, Helheim). Heim simply means home in German, Faroese, Icelandic, and Norwegian. It is a common suffix for Norweigan places. - What does Gard mean?
As with heim, gard is a common suffix for place names in norse culture (e.g. Asgard, Midgard). Gard means stronghold or enclosure in English – for example, Asgard means the “enclosure of Aesir” in Old Norse.