Norse Mythology is full of stories that have captured imaginations for centuries and their influence is seen today. Here we will explore six of the most ancient Norse myths that are still resonating in our lives today.
Norse Mythology
Norse Mythology is the body of myths of the North Germanic people stemming from Norse paganism and continuing after the Christianization of Scandinavia and into the Scandinavian folklore of the modern period. Norse mythology is primarily recorded in 13th-century Icelandic Eddas and is composed of stories, poems and sagas that explore the relationships, characters and events of the Germanic pantheon of gods, goddesses and heroes, as well as animals and giants. The surviving sources depict the stories of Norse mythology as primarily focused around heroic (male) and mysterious (female) figures and their dealings in the world of human and supernatural realms.
Gods & Goddesses Of Norse Mythology
Norse mythology is filled with gods and goddesses with unique and powerful characteristics and attributes. These include Odin, the King of the gods; Thor, the God of thunder; Freya, the Goddess of fertility; Loki, the God of mischief; Hel, the Goddess of death; and Frigga, the Goddess of the sky and destinies. These characters are still present today in the form of books, movies and games.
Tales Of Norse Mythology
The myths of Norse mythology were primarily passed down orally from generation to generation before being written down by Snorri Sturluson in his book Prose Edda around the time of the 13th century in Iceland. These tales are incredibly varied and explore the relationships between gods, humans, and supernatural creatures. Nonetheless, some stories remain particularly popular even today and could be said to be representative of the Norse myths.
1: The Binding Of Fenrir
The Binding of Fenrir is a story that resonates even now as an archetype of restraint and acknowledgement of the power of free will and transformation. In the tale, Fenrir was a ferocious wolf-like being, the son of Loki and a giantess, destined to cause the destruction of the world. In an attempt to avoid this destiny, the gods arranged for him to be bound, but only when two conditions were met: no normal chain would hold Fenrir and one of the gods had to place his hand in the wolf’s mouth in order to bind him. The god, Tyr, sacrificed his right hand, and Fenrir was bound with magical chains, left to await Ragnarok.
2: The Death Of Baldr
The death of Baldr is a key Norse myth that echoes through to today in what it has to say about innocence and mortality. Baldr was the beloved and favored son of Odin, known as the God of Light, Wisdom, Poetry, Magic and Healing. He was said to be the most beautiful of all gods and was liked by both the gods and humans. Despite everyone’s love and admiration of Baldr, he was prophesied to be killed by his own blind brother Hoðr. Odin tried unsuccessfully to shield him from harm but he was killed by an arrow of mistletoe when sent by god Loki. This tale speaks of powerless and helplessness to protect even that which is beloved and innocent.
3: The Mead Of Englightenment
The Mead of Enlightenment is a key Norse myth about a special drink that could grant the drinker special knowledge and superhuman powers. Odin tasked the giants Fjalar and Galar to brew a mead from the blood of the wise god Kvasir.
This mead was ultimately split up among the race of the gods and goddesses, giants, dwarves and humans and was said to have given them special powers of wisdom and understanding. The story foretold of a time that knowledge would be accessible to all who seek it and emphasise the power of knowledge and intelligence.
4: The Death Of Odin
The Death of Odin is a myth that tells of the death of the father of gods and mortals alike, the all-powerful Odin. In his death, Odin gives up his life to save the world during the battle of Ragnarok. Although Odin ultimately did not live to rule in glory during the new world, his death signified the ultimate sacrifice in order to provide a brighter future for humanity and a better world for the gods and goddesses. This myth speaks to the power of sacrificing oneself for something greater.
5: The Treasures Of Freya
The Treasures of Freya is a myth that resonates even to this day in its exploration of the power of love, compassion, and self-sacrifice. Freya was an often misunderstood and underestimated goddess, known for her skill in magic, her stunning beauty and her love of individuals. She was said to possess a great amount of knowledge and the seven treasures including a magical necklace, a cloak of winter-shadows, a ship made entirely of gold, and a chariot drawn by cats. Despite being a goddess of wealth and abundance, Freya often sacrificed her treasure in order to help her beloved ones, even when they did not deserve it.
6: The Building Of Valhalla
The Building of Valhalla is a myth that speaks to the power of fortitude and determination. In this myth, the gods and goddesses build the celestial hall of Valhalla with their own hands and tools. This giant hall was said to be bigger than anything the gods had seen before, and the building of it was marked with determination and grit. The completed Valhalla served as the gods’ home, where they could meet, feast and rest and plot their next adventures. This powerful tale speaks of the strength and perseverance to complete a task no matter the difficulty.
These six ancient Norse myths still resonate today and can be interpreted to provide modern-day lessons even after a millennium. While each myth has its own set of values and stories to tell, the overall themes of mortality, sacrificial love, power, knowledge, and determination remain the same, providing us with invaluable lessons throughout history and into the present day.