Norse Mythology
The gods, the nine worlds, the heroes, and the runes of the pre-Christian North — told from the Eddas, the sagas, and the archaeology of the Viking Age.
Introduction to Norse Mythology: Gods, Worlds, Heroes, and the Sources Behind the Myths
A comprehensive introduction to Norse mythology covering the Aesir and Vanir gods, the nine worlds, the sources of the myths, and the Viking Age that produced them.
Explore the Nine Worlds of Content
Seven guides, every article on the site one click away.
The Norse Gods
Explore the Norse pantheon: the war-like Aesir and fertility-focused Vanir, their war, their gods, and the sources that preserve them.
Articles
- Baldr: The Beautiful God of Norse Mythology
- Freya: Goddess of Love and War in Norse Mythology
- Heimdall: Guardian of the Bifrost in Norse Mythology
- Loki: The Trickster of Norse Mythology
- Njord: Lord of the Seas in Norse Mythology
- Odin: The Allfather of Norse Mythology
- Thor: God of Thunder in Norse Mythology
- Tyr: God of War and Justice in Norse Mythology
Questions Answered
- Heimdall and the Coming of Ragnarok
- How Did Odin Lose His Eye?
- Thor's Journey to Útgarða-Loki
- Tyr and the Binding of Fenrir
- Who Was Freya's Husband, Óðr?
- Who Were the Vanir Gods?
- Why Did Loki Betray the Gods?
- Why Was Baldr's Death Inevitable?
Cosmology & the Nine Worlds
Explore Norse cosmology: Yggdrasil the World Tree, the nine worlds, the wells of Urðr and Mímir, the Norns, Bifrost, and the structure of the Norse…
Articles
- Helheim: The Realm of the Dead in Norse Mythology
- Ragnarok: The End of the World in Norse Mythology
- The Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology
- Valhalla: The Hall of the Slain in Norse Mythology
- Yggdrasil: The World Tree of Norse Mythology
Questions Answered
- The Nine Worlds of Norse Mythology Explained
- What Is Asgard?
- What Is Midgard?
- Who Are the Norns?
- Who Is Surtr, Fire Giant of Ragnarok?
Creatures & Beings
Explore the rich taxonomy of Norse creatures and beings: Aesir, Vanir, Jotnar, dwarves, elves, dragons, wolves, valkyries, norns, draugr, huldra, and…
Articles
- Dwarves in Norse Mythology
- Elves: Light and Dark in Norse Mythology
- Fenrir: The Monstrous Wolf of Norse Mythology
- Norse Dragons: Jormungandr the World Serpent and Nidhogg
- Sleipnir: Odin's Eight-Legged Horse in Norse Mythology
- The Jotnar: Giants of Norse Mythology
Questions Answered
- Huginn and Muninn: Odin's Ravens
- Jörmungandr: The World Serpent
- Ratatoskr: The Squirrel of Yggdrasil
- The Einherjar: Warriors of Valhalla
- What Is a Huldra in Norse Folklore?
Heroes & Sagas
Explore the great Norse heroes and sagas — Sigurd, Brynhild, Beowulf, the Volsungs, and the skaldic tradition of Old Norse heroic legend.
Articles
- Beowulf the Epic Hero: The Old English Poem
- Brynhild: Shieldmaiden and Queen of Norse Legend
- Sigurd the Völsung: Dragon-Slayer of Norse Legend
- The Saga of the Völsungs: Norse Heroic Epic
Questions Answered
- How Did Sigurd Kill Fafnir the Dragon?
- How Does Beowulf Die?
- The Curse of the Ring Andvaranaut
- Who Was Grendel in Beowulf?
The Viking Age
Explore the Viking Age from Lindisfarne (793) to Stamford Bridge (1066) — Norse expansion, society, religion, law, art, ships, and the long shadow of…
Articles
- Viking Ships and Exploration: The Norse on the Seas
- Viking Warfare and Battle Tactics: The Norse Art of War
- Viking Women: Roles and Influence in Norse Society
Questions Answered
Read the full guide →Symbols & Runes
An encyclopedic guide to Norse symbols and runes: the Elder Futhark, Younger Futhark, Anglo-Saxon Futhorc, runestones, galdr magic, Mjolnir, the…
Articles
- Icelandic Magical Symbols: Vegvisir, Ægishjálmur, and More
- Norse Runes: Elder and Younger Futhark Explained
Questions Answered
Read the full guide →Norse Myth in Modern Culture
How Norse mythology shaped modern culture: Tolkien, Wagner, the Grimms, William Morris, Marvel, heavy metal, video games, Asatru, and the contemporary…
Articles
Questions Answered
- Best Norse Mythology Video Games
- What Is Ásatrú? Norse Neopaganism
- Why Tolkien Borrowed from Norse Mythology