Yggdrasil

viking

Norse Mythology Definitions

Vikings- A Norse explorer, warrior or merchant who raided and colonized areas in Europe from the eighth century to the eleventh century.

Ginnungagap- A vast void that existed prior to the creation of the universe.

Nifleheim- The northern realm of Ginnungagap that consisted of ice and intense cold.

Muspellheim- The southern realm of fire and heat in Ginnungagap.

Yggdrasil- The "World Tree" that was located at the center of the universe and joined the nine worlds of Norse mythology.

Asgard- The world and home of the Gods.

Midgard- The world inhabitated by humans.

Hel- The home of the dead.

Bifrost Bridge- The bridge that leads from Midgard, the realm of humans, to Asgard, the realm of gods. It is a divine rainbow.

Ymir- The first Frost Giant that created the race of giants from his sweat. When Ymir was killed the blood from his wounds almost drowned the entire frost giant tribe. Then his body was used to create Midgard. His flesh was the earth, his blood formed seas and lakes. His bones became mountains and his teeth became stones. His hair grew into trees and his skull was set above Ginnungagap and made the sky. Ymir's brains became clouds.

Odin- The son of Bestla and Bor. He was the oldest and greatest.

Frigg- Odins wife. She was a cloud spinner and a very powerful goddess.

The Valkyries- Were Odin's daughters, they were the choosers of the slain and the hero selectors.

The Norns- Were goddess who ruled the fates of the mortals.

Thor- A warrior son. He was the son of Odin and the strongest. He was the god of battle, thunder and fertility. He had a fierce temper and he was the owner of Mjolliner, the hammer.

Balder- A beloved son and loved god. The son of Odin and Figg. He was the god of radiance, rebirth, justice and light. He was beautiful and killed by Loki. His death was prophcided to be before Ragnarok.

Njord- Odin's brother. God of wind and sea and the patron sailor.

Frey- God of fertility, prosperity,sun and rain.

Freya- Goddess of love, fertility, magic and death.

dunn- Wife of Bragi. Goddess of youth and keeper of the golden apples.

Loki- Son of Giants, had mixed blood with Odin. He had magic that he used to be evil and a trickster. He was cunning and decietful. He had three evil children.

Fenrir- Son of Loki, he was the wolf.

Jormungandr- Son of Loki, evil world serpent.

Ragnarok- Doomsday, the final battle and the ending of the world.

Runes- a way of communicating by symbols and sounds.