12 questions · Mythology
Odin is the highest god of Norse mythology, ruler of Asgard and leader of the Aesir. He is at once god of wisdom, war, poetry and magic; a complex, often dark god who is forever striving for knowledge. For this wisdom he made great sacrifices: he gave an eye into Mimir's well for a draught from the spring of insight, and for nine nights he hung, pierced by his own spear, on the world tree Yggdrasil to gain the runes. In his hall Valhalla, Odin gathers the bravest fallen warriors for the final battle at Ragnarök: the prophesied doom of the gods, in which he himself will be devoured by the wolf Fenrir. Wednesday is named after him. On his shoulders sit the two ravens Huginn and Muninn, who bring him news of the world each day; in his hand he holds the spear Gungnir, which never misses its mark. Good to know: Odin is the most many-sided of the Norse gods: ruler, war god, sorcerer and poet all at once. He bears dozens of names; „Odin“ itself means roughly „the furious one“ or „ecstasy.“
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wisdom, war and poetry
Odin is the most many-sided of the Norse gods: ruler, war god, sorcerer and poet all at once.
💡 Did you know? He bears dozens of names; „Odin“ itself means roughly „the furious one“ or „ecstasy.“
an eye
Odin gave an eye into Mimir's well for a single draught from the spring of wisdom.
💡 Did you know? That is why he is always shown one-eyed, usually with a broad hat and a spear.
he hung nine nights on the world tree
Pierced by his own spear, Odin hung nine nights on the tree Yggdrasil until the runes were revealed to him.
💡 Did you know? The runes were seen not only as writing but as magical signs full of power.
Huginn and Muninn
The ravens Huginn (thought) and Muninn (memory) fly over the world each day and report everything to Odin.
💡 Did you know? His eight-legged steed Sleipnir (a child of Loki) carries him through all nine worlds.
Gungnir
The spear Gungnir, forged by dwarves, strikes any target and returns to Odin.
💡 Did you know? Starting a war by hurling a spear over the enemy host was a rite dedicated to Odin.
to Valhalla
In Odin's hall Valhalla the bravest fallen warriors gather for the final battle.
💡 Did you know? These elite fighters, the Einherjar, train daily and are to fight at Odin's side at Ragnarök.
the wolf Fenrir devours him
In the prophesied final battle, Ragnarök, Odin is devoured by the mighty wolf Fenrir.
💡 Did you know? Odin knows his fate and yet prepares tirelessly for the inevitable battle.
Wednesday
From Odin's Old English name „Woden“ came the English „Wednesday“ (Woden's day).
💡 Did you know? Thursday (Thor) and Friday (Frigg/Freyja) too bear the names of gods.
Sleipnir
Born of Loki, who had turned himself into a mare.
💡 Did you know? It is held to be the fastest of all horses.
as a one-eyed wanderer
With slouch hat and staff, always unrecognised.
💡 Did you know? Tolkien lent Gandalf exactly this guise.
with Mimir's head
The severed head goes on speaking wisdom.
💡 Did you know? Thus Odin kept the wisest of all counsellors.
the frenzied one
Meaning ecstasy: of battle, poetry and vision.
💡 Did you know? In the storm one heard his host: the Wild Hunt.
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