NORSE MYTHOLOGY Norse mythology The religion of the

  • Slides: 12
Download presentation
NORSE MYTHOLOGY

NORSE MYTHOLOGY

Norse mythology • The religion of the Scandinavian regions, pre-Christianity. These tales are important,

Norse mythology • The religion of the Scandinavian regions, pre-Christianity. These tales are important, as they come from the Anglo. Saxons, the originators of the English language. Their stories followed them to England. • There are nine separate worlds, each one being the home of a different race: the gods’ home Asgard, the humans’ home Midgard, the giants’ home Jötunheimr, etc. • (The races and many of the terms used in Lord of the Rings come from Norse mythology. )

Yggsdrasil – the World Tree The nine realms are: Humans – Midgard Asgardian Gods

Yggsdrasil – the World Tree The nine realms are: Humans – Midgard Asgardian Gods – Asgard Vanir Gods – Vanaheim Ice Giants – Jotunheim Elves – Alfheim Dark Elves – Svartalfheim Dwarves – Nidavellir Demons – Muspelheim the Dead – Hel

Odin • Chief of the gods • Father of Thor, Balder, and other gods

Odin • Chief of the gods • Father of Thor, Balder, and other gods • Odin pierces himself with a spear and hangs on Yggdrasil for 9 days and nights to learn the secret knowledge of runes • Has one eye because he traded it for a drink from the spring of ALL KNOWING His two ravens are called Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory)

Valkyries and Valhalla • Valkyries are female spirit warriors who ride the battlefields and

Valkyries and Valhalla • Valkyries are female spirit warriors who ride the battlefields and find worthy slain warriors to take to Valhalla where they will train until Ragnarok. • The northern lights are light shining off of their shields • Valhalla is the Hall of the Slain. It exists in Asgard, and every night all these heroes gather together to drink and make merriment.

Thor • God of thunder and lightning • Mjolnir (the destroyer) – an axhammer

Thor • God of thunder and lightning • Mjolnir (the destroyer) – an axhammer that can destroy giants and mountains in a single blow • Has a chariot pulled by two goats. He can kill these goats and eat them and they will come back to life. • Is constantly fighting the World Serpent – Jormungand • He is capable of drinking an ocean

Balder • “The Beautiful” and“The Fair” • All objects on Earth have sworn not

Balder • “The Beautiful” and“The Fair” • All objects on Earth have sworn not to hurt him • Primarily known for his death and resurrection – his death is the first event that leads to Ragnarok • The favorite child of the Asgardians

Frigga • Mother Goddess • Wife of Odin • Weaves clouds • She knows

Frigga • Mother Goddess • Wife of Odin • Weaves clouds • She knows events in the present and future, but is powerless to change them

Loki • God of mischief and fire • Trickster - can shape-change and do

Loki • God of mischief and fire • Trickster - can shape-change and do magic • Giants for parents – sometimes he helps Thor and the other Asgardians, sometimes he’s their enemy. • Responsible for Balder’s death and severely punished for it • Jormungand (World Serpent), Hel (Ruler of the Underworld), and Fenrir (Massive Wolf) are his children • Will begin Ragnorak …and he gives birth to an eight-legged horse.

Freyr and Freyja • Twins • God and Goddess of fertility • Gods who

Freyr and Freyja • Twins • God and Goddess of fertility • Gods who reign in Midgard (on Earth with mankind) • She leads the Valkyries, he has a sword that can fight on its own.

Heimdall • “World Brightener” • God of the dawn • Great hearing (can hear

Heimdall • “World Brightener” • God of the dawn • Great hearing (can hear grass grow) and eyesight • Is the look out on Bifrost (the rainbow bridge to Asgard)

Hel • Daughter of Loki • Giantess • Goddess of death and the underworld

Hel • Daughter of Loki • Giantess • Goddess of death and the underworld • Half black/ half white • Her face and body are human but the legs are of a corpse • Spread the plague with a rake or a broom