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The complex cosmology of these myths asserts nine worlds (not to be confused with planets) that are connected by a gigantic ash tree called Yggdrasil.

The complex cosmology of these myths asserts nine worlds (not to be confused with planets) that are connected by a gigantic ash tree called Yggdrasil.

One of these nine worlds is [[Midgard]], the world of men. In the Norse creation myth as we know it today, Midgard was made from the dismembered body of a huge giant named Ymir, who was killed by the god brothers [[Odin]], [[Vili]], and [[Ve]] in revenge for his predations on their ancestors. The progenitors of humanity are Aske and Embla, who were made from two pieces of driftwood found by these gods on the shore of Midgard's ocean. "Middle Earth" in [[Tolkein]]'s [[Lord of the Rings]] is a name adapted from "Midgard"; many of the names and concepts in his works were adapted or taken directly from Norse myths.

One of these nine worlds is [[Midgard]], the world of men. In the Norse creation myth as we know it today, Midgard was made from the dismembered body of a huge giant named Ymir, who was killed by the god brothers [[Odin]], [[Vili]], and [[Ve]] in revenge for his predations on their ancestors. The progenitors of humanity are Aske and Embla, who were made from two pieces of driftwood found by these gods on the shore of Midgard's ocean.  

There are two kinds of gods in these myths: Aesir and Vanir (these are plural names). The world of the Aesir is called [[Asgard]] (pronounced more like OWS-gard); the Vanir have their own world called Vanaheim, but a few of them live in Asgard. Norse myths are primarily about the inhabitants of Asgard.

There are two kinds of gods in these myths: Aesir and Vanir (these are plural names). The world of the Aesir is called [[Asgard]] (pronounced more like OWS-gard); the Vanir have their own world called Vanaheim, but a few of them live in Asgard. Norse myths are primarily about the inhabitants of Asgard.

Along with gods, men, giants, elves, and dwarves, a variety of other types of beings are mentioned. Most notable are dragons, trolls, and local land-spirits (wights). The practice of heathen religion tends to have as much to do with wights as with gods.

Along with gods, men, giants, elves, and dwarves, a variety of other types of beings are mentioned. Most notable are dragons, trolls, and local land-spirits (wights). The practice of heathen religion tends to have as much to do with wights as with gods.

==Odin==

=== Odin ===

'''Odin''' is usually said to be the leader of the gods. He has many alternate names (Bolverk, Wegtam, Gandalf, Ygg, Valfather, to name a few), and many areas of interest, including [[war]] and [[death]], [[poetry]] and [[art]], and wisdom in general. Also, Odin is credited with the creation of [[human|humans,]] along with two other gods, either his brothers Vili and Ve, or his friends Hoenir and Lodur, depending on which mythological source you happen to read.

'''Odin''' is usually said to be the leader of the gods. He has many alternate names (Bolverk, Wegtam, Gandalf, Ygg, Valfather, to name a few), and many areas of interest, including [[war]] and [[death]], [[poetry]] and [[art]], and wisdom in general. Also, Odin is credited with the creation of [[human|humans,]] along with two other gods, either his brothers Vili and Ve, or his friends Hoenir and Lodur, depending on which mythological source you happen to read.

"Odin" is this god's [[Scandinavian]] name. In Old [[Anglo-Saxon]], his name is "Woden", from which we get our modern English word "Wednesday". In German, his name is "Wotan", and you will see him in [[Wagner]]'s famous Ring Cycle operas. Although these are all names for the same god, his personality changes a little in these different Northern European subcultures: Wotan is more of a stern war general, while Odin is more of a politician.

"Odin" is this god's [[Scandinavian]] name. In Old [[Anglo-Saxon]], his name is "Woden", from which we get our modern English word "Wednesday". In German, his name is "Wotan", and you will see him in [[Wagner]]'s famous Ring Cycle operas. Although these are all names for the same god, his personality changes a little in these different Northern European subcultures: Wotan is more of a stern war general, while Odin is more of a politician.

==Tyr==

=== Tyr ===

Tyr is one of the most important gods, although very few stories about him have survived. In pre-Viking-era mythology, as reported to us by the Roman author Tacitus, Tiw (the Germanic form of "Tyr") was the leader of the gods. During the Dark Ages, very little is known about the specifics of this culture. When we see the culture again in the 9^th and 10^th Centuries, something has happened: Tyr has receded into the background and [[Odin]] is much more prominent.

Tyr is one of the most important gods, although very few stories about him have survived. In pre-Viking-era mythology, as reported to us by the Roman author Tacitus, Tiw (the Germanic form of "Tyr") was the leader of the gods. During the Dark Ages, very little is known about the specifics of this culture. When we see the culture again in the 9^th and 10^th Centuries, something has happened: Tyr has receded into the background and [[Odin]] is much more prominent.

The Germanic "Tiw" form of Tyr's name is the source of our modern English word "Tuesday". Looking back even farther in the history of languages, and then tracing his name forward again along the Southern European route, Tyr's name becomes "Deus". In other words, Tyr is literally a god whose name means "god".

The Germanic "Tiw" form of Tyr's name is the source of our modern English word "Tuesday". Looking back even farther in the history of languages, and then tracing his name forward again along the Southern European route, Tyr's name becomes "Deus". In other words, Tyr is literally a god whose name means "god".

==Baldr==

 

=== Baldr ===

'''Baldr''' is a son of [[Odin]] and his wife [[Frigga]]. He is handsome, pleasant, and kind. His murder is the precursor of Ragnarok. This murder is arranged by [[Loki]], but carried out unwittingly by Baldr's blind brother Hodr.

'''Baldr''' is a son of [[Odin]] and his wife [[Frigga]]. He is handsome, pleasant, and kind. His murder is the precursor of Ragnarok. This murder is arranged by [[Loki]], but carried out unwittingly by Baldr's blind brother Hodr.

==Freya==

 

=== Freya ===

'''Freya''' (also spelled Freyja) is the [[love]] goddess. She is very beautiful and highly desirable. When the evil giants in these myths get the gods in some kind of a bind, they usually demand possession of Freya as the price of ransom. Of course, this price is always unacceptable, and some other solution to the problem must be found.

'''Freya''' (also spelled Freyja) is the [[love]] goddess. She is very beautiful and highly desirable. When the evil giants in these myths get the gods in some kind of a bind, they usually demand possession of Freya as the price of ransom. Of course, this price is always unacceptable, and some other solution to the problem must be found.

There is an ongoing debate among people who study this [[mythology]] about whether the modern English word "[[Friday]]" was originally "Freya's Day", or if it is "[[Frigga]]'s Day", named after [[Odin]]'s wife.

There is an ongoing debate among people who study this [[mythology]] about whether the modern English word "[[Friday]]" was originally "Freya's Day", or if it is "[[Frigga]]'s Day", named after [[Odin]]'s wife.

==Frey==

=== Frey ===

Freya's brother is '''Frey''' (also spelled Freyr), who is involved with the mythic history of the kings of [[Sweden]]. He is a male "love god" counterpart to his sister, and also a god of agricultural fertility. He is closely associated with the richness of summer. Although he is a great warrior, he is also one of the most benign of the gods. In the early Old English ''Caedmon's Hymn'', the Christian god is described partly by analogy with Frey.

Freya's brother is '''Frey''' (also spelled Freyr), who is involved with the mythic history of the kings of [[Sweden]]. He is a male "love god" counterpart to his sister, and also a god of agricultural fertility. He is closely associated with the richness of summer. Although he is a great warrior, he is also one of the most benign of the gods. In the early Old English ''Caedmon's Hymn'', the Christian god is described partly by analogy with Frey.

The words ''Frey'' and ''Freya'' are actually titles, not names. They translate directly as ''Lord'' and ''Lady''. Scholars argue over their proper names, but this is mostly guesswork.

The words ''Frey'' and ''Freya'' are actually titles, not names. They translate directly as ''Lord'' and ''Lady''. Scholars argue over their proper names, but this is mostly guesswork.

==Thor==

=== Thor ===

'''Thor''' is the god of [[thunder]]. He is the son of [[Odin]] and a giantess Iorth (Earth). Thor is described as having red hair and blue eyes. He is enormously strong, and he enjoys doing battle with evil giants. His special weapon is a magic hammer named Mjolnir that always hits whatever Thor throws it at, and then returns to his hand. The myths state that he makes thunder by riding across the tops of clouds in his chariot, which is drawn by two very large and aggressive goats.

'''Thor''' is the god of [[thunder]]. He is the son of [[Odin]] and a giantess Iorth (Earth). Thor is described as having red hair and blue eyes. He is enormously strong, and he enjoys doing battle with evil giants. His special weapon is a magic hammer named Mjolnir that always hits whatever Thor throws it at, and then returns to his hand. The myths state that he makes thunder by riding across the tops of clouds in his chariot, which is drawn by two very large and aggressive goats.

During the [[heathen]] Viking era, Thor was an enormously popular god in Northern Europe. Many people of the time wore hammer amulets, much as modern [[Christians]] wear crosses today.

During the [[heathen]] Viking era, Thor was an enormously popular god in Northern Europe. Many people of the time wore hammer amulets, much as modern [[Christians]] wear crosses today.

==Loki==

=== Loki ===

'''Loki''' is not really a god, but a clever and handsome giant who is befriended by [[Odin]] and lives among the Aesir. Loki is the trickster in these myths: a complex and enigmatic character. Describing him simply as "the bad guy" does not begin to describe the many roles he plays. At the end of the mythic sequence, however, he has become evil and seeks the destruction of the gods.

'''Loki''' is not really a god, but a clever and handsome giant who is befriended by [[Odin]] and lives among the Aesir. Loki is the trickster in these myths: a complex and enigmatic character. Describing him simply as "the bad guy" does not begin to describe the many roles he plays. At the end of the mythic sequence, however, he has become evil and seeks the destruction of the gods.

Loki has several children, the most notable being three out of the witch Angrboda: the wolf Fenris, the giant snake Jormungand (often called the Midgard Serpent), and the death goddess Hela. Fenris and Jormungand are unquestionably evil, but Hela, although ghastly to look on (half woman and half corpse), seems to be relatively benign as long as she remains in her domain of Niflheim. These three play a major role in Ragnarok, mentioned above. In another story, Loki, who is a shapeshifter, becomes the mother (yes, mother) of the eight-legged horse Sleipnir, which is given to Odin to ride. Loki's wife is Sigyn, with whom he has two other sons.

Loki has several children, the most notable being three out of the witch Angrboda: the wolf Fenris, the giant snake Jormungand (often called the Midgard Serpent), and the death goddess Hela. Fenris and Jormungand are unquestionably evil, but Hela, although ghastly to look on (half woman and half corpse), seems to be relatively benign as long as she remains in her domain of Niflheim. These three play a major role in Ragnarok, mentioned above. In another story, Loki, who is a shapeshifter, becomes the mother (yes, mother) of the eight-legged horse Sleipnir, which is given to Odin to ride. Loki's wife is Sigyn, with whom he has two other sons.

[[Category:Norse Mythology]]

[[Category:Norse Mythology]]

[[Category:Mythology]]

[[Category:Mythology]]

[[Category:Europe]]

[[Category:Europe]]