Norse Mythology (Scandinavia/Germanic Europe) Norse mythology, preserved in texts like the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, depicts a rugged cosmos of Nine Worlds linked by Yggdrasil, the World Tree. Populated by gods (Aesir and Vanir), giants, dwarves, and monsters, it emphasizes courage, fate, and cyclical destruction. Odin, the one-eyed Allfather, seeks wisdom at great cost; Thor defends Asgard with his hammer Mjolnir; Loki, the trickster, embodies chaos. Central is Ragnarok—the prophesied twilight of gods involving epic battles, natural disasters, and the world’s rebirth. Unlike eternal paradises, Norse afterlife realms vary: Valhalla for warriors, Hel for others. Rooted in oral tradition, these myths reflected Viking values: honor in battle, loyalty, and acceptance of doom. Christianity suppressed them by the 12th century, but their legacy thrives in modern fantasy (e.g., Tolkien, Marvel). Norse mythology resonates for its stark beauty, fatalism, and ecological vision—where even gods are mortal, and renewal follows ruin.
Add Comment + Vote ( 1 )...
There are currently no comments!