Questions tagged [norse]
For questions on the myths and religious beliefs of the Norse people, the pre-Christian inhabitants from modern Scandinavia.
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Is Odin brother of Loki?
How are Odin and Loki related? In some places I read that they're siblings, in the movie it's father and son I think
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How many kinds of giants in Norse mythology?
Besides Frost and Fire Giants, what are the other types of giants?
According to Skjalden.com, there are also Sea Giants, Storm Giants, Mountain Giants
https://skjalden.com/lesser-known-giants-in-norse-...
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Is there any connection between Odin and the Irish Goddess Morrigan?
At first glance, these two gods seem to share just a single aspect - an association with war. But digging a little deeper there seems to be a similarity between the function of Odin's maiden, the ...
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What are Stone Giants in Norse mythology?
I found the name of a stone giant in Norse mythology named Hrungnir who was made out of stone. Are they a type of Jotunn or is this a singular instance?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hrungnir
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What's the difference between Fire Giants and Lava Giants in Norse mythology?
In the Poetic Edda, there is a story of Thor killing "lava giants". Is the term fire giant and lava giant interchangeable or are they separate types of beings?
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What norse mythology books do you recommend for young children?
My children have norse names due to my and my partner's interest in norse mythology. My oldest child (6) is becoming more and more interested in the origins of his name and about Odin, specifically. ...
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How was Odin influenced by Christianity?
Due to Loki's nature as a trickster, among many other reasons, I believe he was demonized with the spread of Christianity in Scandinavia and associated somewhat with Lucifer/Satan (please correct me ...
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how/when Jotunheim was created precisely?
I can’t find anything on the origin of Jotunheim. If it was linked, like Muspellheim, to Nilfheim in any way… and I’m not sure how did Ymir arrived in it… I guess it could be unknown like many other ...
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Why is there pain and suffering according to Norse mythology?
There was obviously pain and suffering in the world, was it seen as a punishment or was it just seen as something normal and there was no reason for it?
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What are the "nine fearful curses that plague mankind" of Orcadian folklore, besides the 'Stoor Worm'?
The 'Stoor Worm' of Orcadian folklore is described as one of the nine fearful curses that plague mankind, what are the other curses if there are any?
Islanders were terrified of the serpent; it was ...
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Are Harbard and Saga actually Odin and Frigg?
I heard recently that Harbard was actually Odin. The supposition was in his reaction after tricking Thor he displayed the same patterns as Odin. Similarly I heard that Saga is purported to be Frigg in ...
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Are there major differences between Continental Germanic and Scandinavian mythology?
Continental Germanic and Scandinavian/Norse mythologies are often grouped together under Germanic mythology, usually a few deity names change but keeping the same roots, unlike Roman/Greek mythology. ...
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Are there any beings from Norse Mythology that could be mistaken for a Kitsune (fox-person spirit)?
I'm starting a new Roleplaying campaign soon, and my character is norse/icelandic themed.
One of the other character is inspired by Kitsune.
I want to find out what, if anything, might my character ...
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Are owls mentioned in Norse Mythology?
The wikipedia page on Birds in Norse Mythology does not mention
Other websites mention owls:
The owl is associated with Hawthorn and the mystique rune is Huathe. The owl is the guide to the ...
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Word to mean unwise/foolish coming from the idea of being untravelled?
I remember reading somewhere that there is a word in old Norse for unwise/foolish that etymologically refers to someone who's not travelled or left home. Any ideas?
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Is Krampus really pagan?
Is Krampus really pagan in origin and not medieval Christian? A lot of people say that he is pagan and of Norse origin. A lot of people say that he is the son of Hel who is the goddess of Helheim in ...
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Skagganauk abyss?
In Roger Zelazney's Creatures of Light and Darkness, he imagines the Egyptian Typhon, brother of Set, as a void that often takes the form of a stallion. He calls this entity "Skagganauk Abyss&...
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Is the practise of standing on stones at election consigned to mythology and folklore?
Humblus
I was reading up about legendary Danish kings when I came across a character named Humblus and a rather sensational claim is made at the bottom of the article, and that claim is that political ...
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Are Fenrir and Jormungandr Jötnar?
I though Jötnar were humanoid in appearance, and yet Loki and Angrboda produced a serpent and a wolf as offspring.
I know that Loki and Angrboda are Jötnar, so how did they give birth to monsters in ...
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Will there only be one Ragnarök, or will there be multiple?
I need a detailed answer to this question. Thank you!
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Does Ragnarok start or happen when certain events take place? [closed]
Do the following events occur at same time and will begin Ragnarok? Or does some of these happen during Ragnarok?
When Jormungandr circles the entire midgard with it's body length?
When Fenrir breaks ...
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Is there a myth about someone who constantly creates their own demise?
Since this is certainly a common theme, I'm wondering if there is a myth about someone who ignorantly walks themselves repeatedly into ill-fate or their own misery. It would be like Sisyphus, but ...
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Did Sif (the Norse Goddess) ever become a Warrior in mythology?
In modern recreations of the character (e.g. in the Marvel Universe), Sif is depicted as a Warrior, usually of Justice*), generally associated with the aspect(s) of Justice. However, in the original ...
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Need translation for a Thor’s hammer pendant
I have a Thor’s hammer pendant that I bought years ago. I’m not sure what is written on it. A translation would be great!
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Why did Snorri Sturlson link the Norse Gods to the Trojans?
In the Prologue to the Prose Edda, he seems to develop a genealogy of the Norse Gods being descendants of the Trojans. Starting with the Trojan king Priam, he develops connections, like for example ...
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What is this Norse symbol?
It is possibly Icelandic but I can only find it in one place with no name or explanation. Similar to a helm of awe but with an A in the middle and the ends are alternating circles and crescents.
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Finding A Good Prose Edda and other resources for Norse mythology
I am beginning an interest in Norse mythology, and I am looking for a complete copy of the Prose Edda. There are several versions available on Barnes and Noble, but I want one that gives all four ...
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Did the Norse goddesses fight during Ragnarok?
Did the goddesses in Norse mythology fight during Ragnarok? Everything I have read is about the gods fighting.
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Who are the deities of natural order, justice or wisdom?
I'm seeking names of deities who embody the values of natural order, justice, or wisdom/knowledge.
I've already gone through the ancient Greek ones, listed below, but I would like different sounding ...
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Dragons and serpents in Norse and Indo-European mythology
Apart from christianity, serpents and dragons are affirmative symbolic beings, i.e. serpents symbolize renewal, healing and rebirth (skin-sloughing of serpents, Ouroboros).
In Norse mythology, that ...
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Since when does Valhalla exist in Norse mythology?
Since when does Valhalla exist in Norse mythology ? Like (almost) all Indo-Europeans the Vikings believed in a cycle of life, death and rebirth. Valhalla contradicts this fundamental content of Norse ...
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What does these runes say?
I was thinking of a tattoo with Nordic influence, I found this picture and I love it, but I need to know what it says (if it says anything), information about the symbols (like Yggdrasil or the Crows ...
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Thor and Bifröst
Forgive my profound ignorance, as I am a rather new learner to Norse mythology. Please correct me if my recounts are in error.
From what I understand, Thor does not accompany the gods who travel ...
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Does Loki grow old and infirm while chained beneath the serpent?
Once Loki is chained in the cave with a serpent dripping venom over him, he is destined to remain there trough the ages until the day of Ragnarok.
But in other parts of Norse myth, it's made clear ...
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Are there any known records of pagan worship in early 13th century Europe?
(Specifically Scandinavia, Iceland, Finland, Gotland, Baltic lands, and Russian Slavic lands to the east of the Baltic) I am aware of recorded paganism in Henry of Livonia's Chronicle of Livonia (i.e. ...
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How was the Old Norse Edda likely formatted?
If you look at version of it online, it's all broken down into verses and stanzas, all numbered. But I wonder if this is how it was originally written down, or if the verses weren't ever marked.
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Does Loki die at the end of Ragnarok?
It is believed that most gods including Odin, Thor, and multiple other gods and goddesses die at the end of Ragnarok.
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What Christian influences are there in the Prose Edda, besides the prologue?
I've often read that there are Christian influences in the Prose Edda:
Snorri’s Edda was later nicknamed the 'Younger Edda' because much of it derives from older sources. What those sources were ...
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Was the alleged Christian influence of Norse Mythology primarily due to Snorri Sturluson's writings?
Since Snorri himself was a Christian, and his works are some of the most popular sources for Norse Mythology, is he to blame for the modern "Christianized" interpretation of Norse gods and beliefs?
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Is there any link between Achilles and Sigurd/Siegfried?
The two heroes are invulnerable, Achilles because he was dipped in the river Styx by his mother Thetis, and Siegfried because he took a bath in the dragon's blood.
Both have a weak spot though, ...
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What is the game the champions play in Harold's court?
In N. Kershaw's translation of Hrafnsmál we learn that champions play chess in Harold's court:
8. Very magnificent is the life enjoyed by the glorious champions who play chess in Harold's court. They ...
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Why does Loki borrow Freya's feathered coat to fly
...instead of just turning himself into a bird? I mean, he turned himself into a fly before.
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Why does the Valkyrie call the raven "the skull picker of Hymir" in Hrafnsmál?
At the beginning of Hrafnsmál the Valkyrie calls the raven "the skull picker of Hymir":
1. Hearken, noblemen, while I celebrate Harold the magnificent and his feats of arms. I will tell of ...
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"Berserker" In the sagas
Is there any writen reference to that word? I've been looking to put it in futhark, but apparently there is a debate about its origin(bear skin or shirtless). So, how would they write it down(younger ...
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What stories from Norse mythology deals with fear?
Are there any stories from Norse mythology, where a person has to face a fear and is rewarded for it/succeeds?
All that springs to mind is Tyr/Fenrir story, where Tyr puts his hand in the mouth of ...
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School in the Sky?
I'm looking for references to schools in the sky. Was there a school that the Greek gods attended? A university frequented by the Norse pantheon? An academy in Tian? I'd love any pointers you've ...
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Are there any Norse stories that feature trials to claim the throne?
I’m writing a story where the main character is the heir to a throne but has to pass 3 trials to actually claim the throne as hers.
Are there any trials that the Norse used in similar cases?
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Are there any common concepts in Egypt and Norse mythology / civilization?
I'm looking for some concepts (could be objects, weapons, creatures, traditions, ...) that are common between both Egypt and Norse mythology/folklore or history/civilization.
Context: I'm working on ...
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What is the relationship between Thor and storms?
We all know Þórr means thunder and that Mjǫllnir may possibly mean lightning, however, in all the texts I've read, there isn't a single mention (or at least not a relevant one) of a connection between ...
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Does Thor use an axe and/or sword in the Myths?
I know Marvel's Thor uses an axe (Jarnbjorn) and sword (Odinsword) in the comics, but an acquaintance of mine insists that the Thor of the norse Mythology also used them.
I couldn't find any source ...
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