![]() The author’s work does, however, contain certain claims which don’t align to the worldview and perhaps attempt to bring the old mythology in line with Christianity. Sources cite the Prose Edda as providing the greatest quantity of information of the Old Norse history. In the 13th century, Icelandic poet, author, mythographer and historian, Snorri Sturluson, wrote the Prose Edda, an interpretation of traditional Icelandic poetry. The Poetic Edda or Elder Edda contain two important poems: the Völuspá and the Grímnismál, which reflect on pre-Christian Norse mythology and cosmology. This source provides the greatest insight into the mythology and is particularly in-depth. ![]() The Poetic Edda is a collection of poetry by Old Norse-speaking poets. Three preeminent examples of these sources are: The Poetic Edda Their perpetuation of pre-Christian Germanic traditions and writings is an invaluable source today. In Iceland especially, the people continued to practice their traditional religion and preserve its history even after Christianity became their official religion in 1000 AD. The Viking and Medieval ages, between 8 AD, were the periods that provided the most significant historical and mythological literature written in the Old Norse language. This affirms the close ties between the Germanic spiritual universe and the physical world. Asgard and Midgard are Innangard worlds and constantly protecting themselves against Utgard, an Utangard world led by lawless giants. Three of the nine worlds, Asgard, Midgard and Utgard (another version of the name Jotunheim), have the suffix –gard. The distinction between the two states is also evident in Germanic cosmology. The home of the Giants, Jotunheim, is the best illustration of Utangard, as Asgard is the archetype of order or Innangard. The concepts apply to both a geographical location and a mental plane, connected with one’s actions and thoughts. Innangard is civilized, orderly and law-abiding, while Utangard is wild, chaotic and anarchic. Innangard and Utangard distinguish the ancient Germanic concepts of order and chaos. According to certain sources, the doors of Valhalla were so wide that 800 warriors could walk through at the same time! A vast river, the Thund, and a barred gate, Valgrind, protected the entrances of Valhalla. Valhalla was easily recognizable by its rafters formed of spears, and use of shields as roof tiles. Here, he feasted and celebrated with the battle heroes. Odin granted access to the worthy dead, the majority of whom were esteemed warriors. The gods and goddesses would meet every day and discuss the fate of world at the Well of Urd (destiny), from which the Yggdrasil (the tree connecting the nine worlds) grew.Īsgard also housed Valhalla (the hall of the fallen). The goddesses’ hall was called the Vingolf or hall of friendship. It was called Gladsheim and housed the thrones of Odin and the 12 highest gods. His throne was called Hlidskjalf and it is believed that when Odin sat on Hlidskjalf, he could see the whole of heaven and Earth and everything that happened anywhere! A hall made of pure gold was also situated in the home of the gods. ![]() The ruler of the gods, Odin, had his throne in Asgard, in a hall called Valaskjalf. The mythical place was invisible and inaccessible to mortal men. It was connected to Midgard by a rainbow bridge called Bifrost. Where is Asgard?Īsgard is situated in the sky upon the plains of Idavoll, where the gods met to discuss important matters. The home of the gods is said to be a giant fortress with walls reaching up into the clouds to protect them from their enemies, particularly the frost-giants. ![]() Snorri Sturluson, author of the Prose Edda, wrote that Asgard was created by the gods after they created Jotunheim (Giantland), Midgard (Middle Earth or home of humanity), the seas, sky, clouds and the Earth. The two tribes did reach an eventual truce as they joined forces against their common enemy, the Giants. The other tribe, the Vanir, used to share Asgard but the two tribes fought a long, epic war over their differences and the Vanir were forced to leave Asgard. Asgard is the home of the Aesir, deities of one of two tribes of Norse gods. Asgard is one of the nine worlds in Norse Mythology, along with Niflheim, Muspelheim, Midgard, Jotunheim, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Svartalfheim, and Helheim. The word Asgard comes from the Old Norse word Ásgarðr, meaning Enclosure of the Aesir. ![]()
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