Questions tagged [norse]
For questions on the myths and religious beliefs of the Norse people, the pre-Christian inhabitants from modern Scandinavia.
194
questions
26
votes
2answers
1k views
Did the Gods and Goddesses in Norse mythology act as patron gods?
I know in mythologies such as Greek mythology, gods and goddesses would act as patrons. For example, Athena was the patron goddess of Athens. Did the gods and goddesses in Norse mythology have any ...
2
votes
0answers
32 views
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 ...
7
votes
4answers
19k views
How are Norse and Celtic mythology related?
I was in a charms shop a while back and they had a section laid out for Celtic Mythology charms and their meanings. I had a look and found Thor's hammer. I ask my mom and she said the Mythologies are ...
0
votes
3answers
153 views
Will there only be one Ragnarök, or will there be multiple?
I need a detailed answer to this question. Thank you!
9
votes
1answer
141 views
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 ...
12
votes
1answer
201 views
Who is the Greek king Brynhild fought?
In chapter 27 of the Saga of the Völsungs, Brynhild brags of having been in battles with a king of Greeks:
She answered in heavy mood from her seat, whereas she sat like unto swan on billow, having a ...
22
votes
3answers
8k views
Is there a connection between Adam and Eve, and Ask and Embla?
The creation myths of the Abrahamic religions declares humanity's protoplasts to be Adam and Eve. Norse lore declares them to be Ask and Embla.
Linguistically, these seem to be fairly similar names. ...
15
votes
2answers
1k views
Was the Mjölnir usable by only the worthy?
Present works of fiction present Mjölnir as a hammer of unbelievable power, which can only be used by the worthy.
But, when the Mjölnir is given to Thor, its properties are described:
Then he gave ...
6
votes
2answers
242 views
What is the meaning of Ragnarök for the Germanic peoples?
Why did the Germanics believe into Ragnarök? In Christian mythology, the revelation is basically there to fear the people from going against the Christian way and otherwise ending up in hell. But in ...
-3
votes
3answers
475 views
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
77 views
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.
4
votes
1answer
187 views
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.
11
votes
3answers
510 views
What is the root of ice giants in Germanic mythology?
Does the idea of ice giants stem from glaciers? They are described as both evil and good and I thought that goes back to how glaciers can grow bigger and take your land, but also can become smaller ...
8
votes
2answers
567 views
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, ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the link between Odin and Santa Claus?
What is the link between Odin and Santa Claus? How does Santa trace his origins to the Norse god?
3
votes
1answer
152 views
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 ...
1
vote
0answers
44 views
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
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 ...
11
votes
1answer
1k views
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 ...
32
votes
4answers
8k views
What is the difference between giants, Jotuns and trolls in Norse mythology?
I am a little bit confused by the way the terms giant, frost giant, jotun (or jötunn), ettin and troll seem to overlap in Norse mythology.
I don't understand if they refer to a single race or ...
19
votes
1answer
27k views
What happens after Ragnarök?
In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of a number of major figures (including the gods Odin, Thor, Týr, Freyr, ...
3
votes
1answer
60 views
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
89 views
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 ...
11
votes
3answers
12k views
What kind of cats pulled Freya's chariot?
Everyone knows that the goddess Frejya's chariot was pulled by cats, but what kind of cats are we talking about? Are they giant sized house-cats? Were there any puma-sized cats in ancient ...
-2
votes
1answer
65 views
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!
7
votes
3answers
631 views
Was there a hell or place of suffering after death in Norse mythology?
Was there a hell or place of suffering after death in Norse mythology. If so, was it eternal? What caused a person to go there?
14
votes
1answer
6k views
Does Hel have a role in Ragnarok?
During Ragnarok, Fenrir the wolf kills Odin and is then killed by Vidar. The Midgard Serpent Jormungandand and Thor kill each other.
What role does Hel, Loki's other child by Angrboda, play?
6
votes
1answer
192 views
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.
7
votes
5answers
8k views
Could Ragnarok be considered to have occurred?
According to Wikipedia, The myths of Ragnarok as we know them were compiled in the 13th century, and while describing events in some detail, these were considered to be prophetic, as the events ...
6
votes
3answers
194 views
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 ...
3
votes
1answer
59 views
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 ...
2
votes
1answer
68 views
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 ...
16
votes
5answers
7k views
Are dwarves and dark elves the same?
I remember reading somewhere that in Norse mythology dwarves and dark elves are the same thing. Then I started reading Gylfaginning and it sounded like they were different, but then later on they send ...
1
vote
1answer
74 views
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
148 views
“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 ...
2
votes
2answers
810 views
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.
4
votes
2answers
5k views
Meaning and usage of Grimnir?
Interest in this epithet of Odin's was renewed when it was casually tossed out in a recent episode of American Gods. *
My question has three parts:
What is the meaning of Grimnir? I found this ...
8
votes
1answer
2k views
Did Frigg cheat on Odin?
I read a story where Odin gave all his possessions to his brother Villi and Ve and made them the rulers of the Universe. One of Odin's possessions is his wife, Frigg. Hence, while Odin is away, his ...
19
votes
4answers
2k views
Does Odin choose who enters Valhalla?
Ero Sɘnnin's answer in How was it decided which warriors would go to Fólkvangr and which to Valhalla? seems to suggest that Odin gets to choose who enters Valhalla:
Valhalla is presided over by ...
2
votes
1answer
133 views
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. ...
5
votes
1answer
128 views
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 ...
7
votes
2answers
127 views
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 ...
10
votes
1answer
189 views
Does the Prose Edda have a Hungarian translation?
This question is cross-posted at hu.wikipedia where it's also on-topic, because that site has some mythology enthusiasts.
Does the Prose Edda have a translation to Hungarian? If it does, please ...
16
votes
2answers
712 views
How are future apocalyptic events detailed so greatly?
For example,
From Wikipedia article on Ragnarök (emphasis mine):
In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a series of future events, including a great battle foretold to ultimately result in the death of ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
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.
8
votes
1answer
99 views
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
105 views
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 ...
8
votes
3answers
4k views
Does Hel have any relationship to bees?
There was a very interesting segment on Vikings, (S5/ep3 "Homeland") in which a dying Floki has a vision.
One of the figures in the vision is a dark robed woman, who opens her mouth to release a ...
1
vote
1answer
602 views
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 ...
-1
votes
4answers
261 views
Were Ancient Europeans religious?
Did the Indo-European people actually view the gods as physical or meta-physical beings beyond the view as archetypes?
If so, does this mean that the Indo-European people were, technically, atheists? ...
