Saturday 29 January 2011

Norse Mythology... Cosmology...





The Norse were a Seafaring people, and viewed the world through a polar-coordinate-system. In Norse mythology there are 'nine worlds' (níu heimar), that many scholars summarize as follows:

Midgard - world of average human experience
Álfheimr - world of the Álfar (elves).
Svartálfaheim - world of the Svartálfar (black elves)
Vanaheimr - world of the Vanir
Muspellheim - world of fire
Jötunheimr - world of the jötnar
Niflheim - world of those who die from age or sickness.
Asgard - world of the Æsir
Hel - world of the Niðavellir, netherworld.

Each world also had significant places within. Valhalla is Odin's hall located in Asgard. It was also home of the Einherjar, who were the souls of the greatest warriors. These warriors were selected by the Valkyries. The Einherjar would help defend the gods during Ragnarok.

These worlds are connected by Yggdrasil, the world tree, a giant tree with Asgard at its top. Chewing at its roots in Niflheim is Nidhogg, a ferocious serpent or dragon. Asgard can also be reached by Bifrost, a rainbow bridge guarded by Heimdall, a god who can see and hear for a thousand miles.

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