Introduction to Norse Mythology

Norse Mythology, deeply rooted in the ancient beliefs of vikings, offering a rich tapestry about the gods and giants. These myths are passed down generation from generation, written by famous skalds like Snorri Sturluson. In this topic we will introduce you with the creation of the world as the vikings will know it.

Snorri Sturluson

Icelandic Skald, Historian and Politician. Most Notably known for his book ‘The Prose Edda’

1179-1241

By Christian Krogh

The norse cosmos, gunningapap, as it is called began as void. A darkness like a primordial abyss. On the north of this darkness lies the land of ice, Niflheim. On the South side of this cosmos lies the land of fire, Muspelheim. When these elements met in Gunningapap they created the giant called Ymir, the first primordal being in Norse Mythology. From his sweat emerged the frost giants.

Ymir fed himself from the four rivers of milk flowing from the cow Audumla. She nourished him with milk. She in return nourished herself from licking salty, rime covered stones. These stones were licked into the shape of a man; this was Buri, the grandfather of Odin and his brothers. Buri his son Bor married a giantess named Bestla and they became parents to the first of the Aesir Odin, Vili and Vé.

Ymir became bigger, stronger and more evil by the day. Thus Odin and his brothers killed Ymir fashioning the world from his body. His Flesh became the earth, his blood the seas, his bones the mountains and his skull the sky. This is what they call Midgard