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Muspelheim

12 questions · Mythology

In Norse mythology, Muspelheim is the world of fire: a glowing region in the south of the order of worlds, filled with flames and sparks. Its fire giant Surtr watches at its border with a flaming sword. At Ragnarök, Surtr will ride out and set the world ablaze. Together with the ice realm Niflheim, Muspelheim forms one of the two primeval principles from which all life arose. Long before humans and gods, sparks and embers are said to have ruled there. Muspelheim lay south of the primeval void before the world began and its sparks did more than melt Ymir from the ice: from them the gods later set sun, moon and stars in the sky. It was the fire of the south that gave the world day, night and time. The realm of embers is guarded by Surt with his flaming sword, blazing brighter than the sun. At Ragnarök the guardian becomes the executioner: Muspell's sons, the fire giants, storm across Bifröst until the bridge shatters; the ship of the dead, Naglfar, brings their allies, and Surt slays the weaponless Freyr before setting the world ablaze. Even the name breathes doomsday: the Old High German poem “Muspilli” already tells of the world's end in fire and after the blaze a new, green world rises from the sea.

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6 of 12 questions with answers

What is Muspelheim?

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The world of fire

A glowing region full of flames.

💡 Did you know? The gods set its sparks in the sky as the heavenly lights.

Which giant guards Muspelheim's border?

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Surtr

His name means “the black one”.

💡 Did you know? At Ragnarök he sets the world ablaze.

With which realm does Muspelheim form a primeval opposite?

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With Niflheim

Fire against ice.

💡 Did you know? From their meeting arose life.

To which mythology does Muspelheim belong?

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Norse mythology

It is one of the nine worlds.

💡 Did you know? Its fire ends the world at Ragnarök.

What does Surt carry at Ragnarök?

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A flaming sword

It blazes brighter than the sun.

💡 Did you know? With it he kindles the world-blaze.

Which god does Surt slay at Ragnarök?

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Freyr

The god had given away his sword for the giantess Gerd.

💡 Did you know? Thus the old bride-price takes its revenge.

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