What is Bifröst?
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The rainbow bridge
It links Asgard and Midgard.
💡 Did you know? It shimmers in glowing colours.
12 questions · Mythology
In Norse mythology, Bifröst is the shimmering rainbow bridge that links the world of the gods, Asgard, with the world of humans, Midgard. Built of three colours and blazing power, it is guarded by the ever-watchful god Heimdall, who notices any approach of enemies at once. At Ragnarök, however, the bridge will break under the onrushing giants. Bifröst is the shining link between the worlds. Its red hue was explained in the sagas as blazing fire meant to keep out the unworthy. Snorri describes Bifröst as a three-coloured bridge whose red band is burning fire: a flame barrier against the giants. The name probably means “the trembling way”, and the bridge is indeed the most fragile thing in the gods' world: every day the Aesir ride across it to their court at the Well of Urd; only Thor may not cross: his thunderous tread would be too much, so he wades through the rivers instead. At its end stands Himinbjörg, the “heaven-fortress” of the watchman Heimdall. He needs less sleep than a bird, sees a hundred leagues and hears the grass grow: the perfect border guard. His Gjallarhorn will sound Ragnarök when Muspell's sons storm the bridge and the “best of bridges”, as the Grímnismál calls it, shatters beneath their hooves.
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The rainbow bridge
It links Asgard and Midgard.
💡 Did you know? It shimmers in glowing colours.
Heimdall
He sees and hears almost everything.
💡 Did you know? His horn Gjallarhorn announces Ragnarök.
It breaks
It collapses under the onrushing giants.
💡 Did you know? Its breaking helps herald the end of the world.
Asgard and Midgard
The world of gods and of humans.
💡 Did you know? Normally only gods may cross it.
The trembling way
Others read it as: the shimmering way.
💡 Did you know? Both suit a rainbow.
Three
The red band is burning fire.
💡 Did you know? The flames ward off the giants.
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