Norse Mythology

Odin

Odin is father of the gods and god of wisdom, war and poetry. He sacrificed one eye for a drink from the well of wisdom.

💡 Did you know? 'Wednesday' is named after Odin (Woden).

Thor

Thor, son of Odin, protects gods and humans from the giants with his hammer Mjölnir. Thunder was thought to be the rumble of his chariot.

💡 Did you know? 'Thursday' is named after him.

Loki

Loki is a cunning shapeshifter, sometimes helper, sometimes foe of the gods. His schemes ultimately bring about the end of the world, Ragnarök.

💡 Did you know? He can change shape and sex and even gave birth to an eight-legged horse.

Valhalla

Valhalla is Odin's vast hall, to which the Valkyries bring fallen warriors. There they fight and feast until they battle at Odin's side at the world's end.

💡 Did you know? Valhalla's roof is said to be made of golden shields.

Ragnarök

Ragnarök is the foretold battle in which gods and giants destroy one another and the world sinks in fire. Afterwards a new, green world rises from the sea.

💡 Did you know? At Ragnarök Thor kills the world serpent and dies from its venom.

Yggdrasil

Yggdrasil, the giant world-ash, connects the nine worlds of Norse mythology. Many creatures live among its roots and branches.

💡 Did you know? A squirrel named Ratatoskr carries insults between an eagle in the crown and a dragon at the root.

Midgard

Midgard is the world of humans, surrounded by a sea, at the centre of the cosmos. It is linked to the gods' world Asgard by the rainbow bridge Bifröst.

💡 Did you know? Around Midgard coils the giant Midgard Serpent, biting its own tail.

Vikings

The Vikings were Scandinavian seafarers, traders and warriors of the 8th to 11th centuries. With their longships they reached England, the Mediterranean and even North America.

💡 Did you know? They were in America (at 'Vinland') around 500 years before Columbus.