1/18/2024 0 Comments Nidhogg norse![]() It is a representation of the interconnectedness of all things and a reminder that everything is related and dependent on each other. Its branches reach high into the sky, while its roots delve deep into the earth. Yggdrasil is a symbol of the cycle of life and death, as it is ever-living and ever-changing. Some are benevolent and some are not, but all are necessary for the tree to continue to grow and thrive. ![]() In between these two extremes, there are many different creatures who make their homes in the branches and roots of the tree. There is a squirrel, named Ratatoskr, that runs up and down the tree, carrying messages between the eagle and the serpent dragon, Nidhogg (old Norse Níðhöggr ). The top of Yggdrasil is home to the eagle who keeps watching over the 9 worlds. The third root goes to the world of Hel, the realm of the dead. The second root goes to the world of the Frost Giants. The first root of the tree goes to the well of Urd, in the world of the Aesir. In the poem, the tree is described as having three main roots. ![]() The first mention of Yggdrasil is in the poem Völuspá, which is found in the Poetic Edda. Its branches and roots stretch far and wide, providing shelter and sustenance to all the beings that live within its reach. It is the tree that connects the nine worlds in Norse cosmology. The name Yggdrasil means ” Odin’s horse.” Yggdrasil is an immense ash tree that is central and considered very holy. In Norse mythology, Yggdrasil is the world tree. Strange as they are, the ideas of an upper world, mid world, and an underworld ring with a familiarity that can be found within many other religions.7 Shop Viking Jewelry Nidhogg and Yggdrasil Such were the ideas and beliefs of the ancient Norse people, gleamed from various sagas written long ago during that dark age. Dáinn, Dvalinn, Duneyrr and Duraþrór, the four stags of Yggdrasil, 17th century Ratatoskr delivers messages from Nidhogg to Hraesvelgr, 17th century Nidhogg gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, 17th centuryįour stags, Dáinn, Dvalinn, Duneyrr and Duraþrór, chew away at Yggdrasil’s green leaves while Ratatosk “drill-tooth” scurries up and down the trunk delivering insults between Nidhoggr and Hraesvelgr. Níðhöggr “malice striker” is a great wyrm squirming in the underworld, hatefully gnawing at Yggdrasil’s roots that prevent his escape into the upper worlds. Hræsvelg and the hawk, Vedrfolnir, 17th century Icelandic manuscript This eagle causes the winds to blow when he beats his wings in flight. Hræsvelg “corpse-eater” is a giant eagle that perches upon Yggdrasil’s top-most branches. ![]() Thor baits the Midgard Serpent with a goat’s head, 17th century Icelandic manuscript Jörmungandr “huge monster” is a serpent so large that its body encircles the earth, growing deep beneath the sea. Three roots from the Cosmic Ash tree drink out of three magical wells: Urdr in Heaven, Mimir in the Midworld, and Hvergelmir in the Underworld.īifrost is a burning, rainbow bridge stretching between the upper world, the mid world, and the underworld. Yggdrasil is the tree of life in a constant state death and rebirth– the linchpin that holds all the worlds together. This is a very poor drawing that I worked very hard on, my map of Yggdrasil and the Norse cosmology: Muspell, world of fire giants, Alfheim, world of light elves, Asgard, world of the gods, Utgard, world of the giants, Midgard, world of man, Dvergard, world of dark elves, and Niflheim, world of ice and darkness, land of the dead. ![]()
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