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Niflheim

12 questions · Mythology

In Norse mythology, Niflheim is the world of mist, cold and ice: one of the oldest regions of all, existing even before the creation of the world. From the meeting of its frost with the heat of the fire realm Muspelheim, the first primeval giant arose. In some traditions the realm of the dead, Hel, also lies here. Niflheim embodies the icy, life-hostile primeval cold. From it, legend says, flow icy rivers that formed part of the primeval creation. Niflheim plays the lead role in the Norse creation: from its spring Hvergelmir the ice rivers Élivágar pour into the primeval void Ginnungagap, where their rime met the sparks of Muspelheim. From the melting ice arose the primeval giant Ymir and with him the cow Audhumla, who licked the gods' ancestor Buri free from the salty ice. At the world's beginning in the north stand not light and word, but frost, drips and a cow. Even once the world stood, Niflheim remained its cold cellar: “nifl” survives in the German word for fog, and the Edda paints the region with images of dread such as the river Slidr, which carries knives and swords in its stream. The deepest world of the dead Odin calls “Niflhel”, nine worlds down: which is why Niflheim and Hel's realm often blur into one another.

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6 of 12 questions with answers

What characterises Niflheim?

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Mist, cold and ice

One of the oldest worlds of all.

💡 Did you know? Here rises the spring Hvergelmir, from which all rivers flow.

With which realm did Niflheim's frost meet at creation?

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With Muspelheim

The fire realm brought the heat.

💡 Did you know? Between the two realms yawned the void Ginnungagap.

Which world lies in Niflheim in some tales?

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The realm of the dead, Hel

Those who did not die in battle go there.

💡 Did you know? It is ruled by the goddess Hel.

To which mythology does Niflheim belong?

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Norse mythology

It is one of the nine worlds.

💡 Did you know? It embodies the life-hostile primeval cold.

What is the primeval spring in Niflheim called?

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Hvergelmir

From it spring the icy rivers.

💡 Did you know? Beneath it a dragon gnaws at Yggdrasil's root.

What are the ice rivers from Niflheim called?

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Élivágar

Their spray froze to rime in the primeval void.

💡 Did you know? Their venom hardened into ice, layer upon layer.

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