Norse Gods and GoddessesMrs. Thaler Asgard Heaven Midgard Earth
Yggdrasil World Tree
Slide 2
Norse Mythology Objectives: You will be introduced to
Objectives: You will be introduced to the world of Norse
Mythology--and gain the world of Norse Mythology--and gain
understanding of the culture, belief system, understanding of the
culture, belief system, Learn the gods/goddesses of early Viking
culture Learn the gods/goddesses of early Viking culture (Nordic
countries) and Nordic folklore. (Nordic countries) and Nordic
folklore. Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden Denmark,
Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden
Slide 3
Viking Maps
Slide 4
Journal: You have now entered Yggdrasil
Slide 5
THE WORLD TREE YggdrasilWorld Tree with Asgard at the top
YggdrasilWorld Tree with Asgard at the top
Slide 6
Slide 7
Fatalism Foundational cultural belief in their own eventual
destruction. Foundational cultural belief in their own eventual
destruction. Fate, predestined to face inevitable doom Fate,
predestined to face inevitable doom Fight between good/evil, tragic
Fight between good/evil, tragic Gods will fight to the end in War
to have a seat at Valhalla (in Asgard) Gods will fight to the end
in War to have a seat at Valhalla (in Asgard) Death
inevitabletriumph, victory, honor Death inevitabletriumph, victory,
honor Predates Christianity/Pagan beliefs Predates
Christianity/Pagan beliefs
Slide 8
Two Tribes Vanir Vanir Aesir Aesir Two groups of Gods After the
big war, Vanir becomes a subgroup Of the Aesir and become a single
tribe
Slide 9
The NINE worlds of Norse 1. Niflheim World of ice Abode of
Mist, fog, mist world 2.Muspelheim --World of Fire --Fire demons
home, Surtyr is ruler
Slide 10
Worlds..continued 3. Vanaheim 3. Vanaheim World of the Vanir
(Vanr singular) A place of fertility, wisdom, and ability to see
the future Njord and his children Freyr and Freyja are Famous
Vanirs. At war with the Aesir
Slide 11
Worlds continued 4. Asgardworld of the Aesir, Home of the Gods
4. Asgardworld of the Aesir, Home of the Gods Associated with Power
and War Asynja (feminine, plural) Odin, Frigg, Thor, Baldr, and Tyr
are famous warriors from Asgard Vile, Ve Home of Valhallaheaven for
great warriors, Odins hall, home of Einherjarthe souls of the
greatest warriors, Selected by Valkyries
Slide 12
5. Jotunheimworld of the Jotnar (Frost Giants) 5.
Jotunheimworld of the Jotnar (Frost Giants) Superhuman strength
Stand in opposition to tribes of Aesir and Vanir, but intermingle
and marry both. An area separated from Midgard (humans) by high
mountains and dense forest
Slide 13
6. Midgard 6. Midgard Land of average human existence Somewhere
in the middle of Yggdrasil Surrounded by water or ocean that is
impassible. AKAmiddle earth in Tolkiens Lord of the Rings
trilogy
Slide 14
7. Alfheim 7. Alfheim World of the Alfar (Elves)
Divine/Semi-Divine beings endowed with magical powers 8.
Svartalfheim --World of Svartalfar (Black Elves)
Slide 15
9. Nidavellir (Hel) 9. Nidavellir (Hel) World of Nioavellir
(Dark Fields) Home of the Dwarves Hreidmar is the king here
Slide 16
Other Parts: Rainbow(Bifrost) Rainbow(Bifrost) Burning rainbow
bridge connecting Midgard and Asgard Heimdallr guards it from the
jotnar (frost giants) Will be destroyed at Ragnorok (end of the
world battle)
Slide 17
Ratatosk(r) Ratatosk(r) Messenger Squirrel Carries messages
between Eagle at top and the Nidhogg at the bottom
Slide 18
Nidhogg Nidhogg Midgard serpent (Snake/Dragon) Grows so that it
stretches around the world Will bring doom to the Gods/Universe
Represents the end of the world/the edge Danger Ultimate adversary
of Thor
Slide 19
Odin/ Woden/ Wotan Chief of the gods Chief of the gods Father
of Thor, Balder, and other 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 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 clairvoyance Has one eye
because he traded it for a drink from the spring of clairvoyance
His two ravens are called Huginn and Muninn (Thought and
Memory)
Slide 20
Valkyries and Valhalla Valkyries are female spirit warriors
that ride the battlefields and find worthy slain warriors and takes
them to Valhalla where they will train until Ragnarok. Valkyries
are female spirit warriors that ride the battlefields and find
worthy slain warriors and takes them to Valhalla where they will
train until Ragnarok. The northern lights are light shining off of
their shields The northern lights are light shining off of their
shields Valhalla is the Hall of the Slain. It exists in Asgard,
home of the gods Valhalla is the Hall of the Slain. It exists in
Asgard, home of the gods Ride of the Valkyries Richard Wagner
Slide 21
Thor/ Thunor God of thunder and lightning God of thunder and
lightning Mjollnir (the destroyer) an ax-hammer that can destroy
giants and mountains in a single blow Mjollnir (the destroyer) an
ax-hammer 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. 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 Is
constantly fighting the World Serpent Jormungand He is capable of
drinking an ocean He is capable of drinking an ocean Thursday son
of Odin and Jord Thursday son of Odin and Jord Thors Helmet
Slide 22
Balder The Beautiful and The Good The Beautiful and The Good
Primarily known for his death and resurrection Primarily known for
his death and resurrection The favorite child The favorite
child
Slide 23
Loki God of mischief and fire God of mischief and fire
Trickster figure Trickster figure Unknown parentage Unknown
parentage Responsible for Balders death and punished by having
snake venom drip on his forehead Responsible for Balders death and
punished by having snake venom drip on his forehead Jormungand,
Hel, and Fenrir are his children Jormungand, Hel, and Fenrir are
his children Will begin Ragnorak Will begin Ragnorak
Slide 24
Bragi God of poetry and eloquence God of poetry and eloquence
Loki calls him Braggart and the verb to brag comes from his name.
Loki calls him Braggart and the verb to brag comes from his name.
Married to Idun Married to Idun
Slide 25
Idun Goddess of immortality Goddess of immortality Keeps the
golden apples of youth Keeps the golden apples of youth Major story
deals with a giant who, with Lokis help, stole the apples, causing
the gods to wither Major story deals with a giant who, with Lokis
help, stole the apples, causing the gods to wither
Slide 26
Freyr / Frey God of agriculture, fertility, and plenty God of
agriculture, fertility, and plenty Twin to Freyja (they are VERY
close) Twin to Freyja (they are VERY close) Unlike the other gods,
Freyr and Freyja are earth dieties Unlike the other gods, Freyr and
Freyja are earth dieties Has a sword that can fight by itself Has a
sword that can fight by itself The boar is his symbol The boar is
his symbol
Slide 27
Freyja Goddess of love and fertility Goddess of love and
fertility Twin sister of Frey Twin sister of Frey Slept with four
dwarves to get a flaming necklace, which becomes her symbol of
fertility Slept with four dwarves to get a flaming necklace, which
becomes her symbol of fertility Leader of the Valkyries Leader of
the Valkyries She takes some of the dead warriors for herself She
takes some of the dead warriors for herself Has a chariot drawn by
cats Has a chariot drawn by cats Freyjas hair
Slide 28
Frigg / Frigga / Frea Mother Goddess Mother Goddess Wife of
Odin Wife of Odin Weaves clouds Weaves clouds She knows events She
knows events in the present and future, but is powerless to change
them Learning of her sons (Balder) death, she makes everything
promise not to harm him except the mistletoe Learning of her sons
(Balder) death, she makes everything promise not to harm him except
the mistletoe
Slide 29
Tyr God of war and justice God of war and justice Precursor of
Odin Precursor of Odin Boldest of the gods Boldest of the gods Lost
his hand to Fenrir, Lokis wolf-son Lost his hand to Fenrir, Lokis
wolf-son His symbol is the spear which has become a symbol of
justice His symbol is the spear which has become a symbol of
justice
Slide 30
Heimdall World Brightener World Brightener God of the dawn God
of the dawn Great hearing (can hear grass grow) and eyesight Great
hearing (can hear grass grow) and eyesight Is the look out on
Bifrost (the rainbow bridge to Asgard) Is the look out on Bifrost
(the rainbow bridge to Asgard)
Slide 31
Hod God of winter and darkness God of winter and darkness Blind
Blind Tricked by Loki into killing Balder Tricked by Loki into
killing Balder Vali killed Hod in revenge for Balder Vali killed
Hod in revenge for Balder Will return during Ragnarok Will return
during Ragnarok
Slide 32
Hel Daughter of Loki Daughter of Loki Giantess Giantess Goddess
of death and the underworld Goddess of death and the underworld
Half black/ half white Half black/ half white Her face and body are
human but the legs are of a corpse Her face and body are human but
the legs are of a corpse Has two servants: Ganglati and Ganglot Has
two servants: Ganglati and Ganglot Spread the plague with a rake or
a broom Spread the plague with a rake or a broom
Slide 33
Hel / Helheim The underworld The underworld The road to Hel is
an icy river (Gjoll) full of weapons The road to Hel is an icy
river (Gjoll) full of weapons Guarded by a large dog (Garm) and
Modgud (an ugly goddess) Guarded by a large dog (Garm) and Modgud
(an ugly goddess) Nothing can leave Hel, not even gods Nothing can
leave Hel, not even gods The wicked go here and the people who do
not die a glorious death in battle The wicked go here and the
people who do not die a glorious death in battle A giant in the
form of an eagle sits and flaps his wings, making a freezing wind.
His name is Hraesvelg (corpse eater) A giant in the form of an
eagle sits and flaps his wings, making a freezing wind. His name is
Hraesvelg (corpse eater)
Slide 34
Garm Garm guards the entrance to Hel Garm guards the entrance
to Hel Has four eyes and a bloody chest Has four eyes and a bloody
chest Could be appeased with cake as long as they gave the poor
bread in life Could be appeased with cake as long as they gave the
poor bread in life Will join the giants in Ragnorak Will join the
giants in Ragnorak
Slide 35
Wyrd Wyrd is a concept in Anglo-Saxon culture roughly
corresponding to fate or personal destinydo you believe in fate?
What is your personal destiny?