Norse Mythology
Mythology is a staple in many different cultures, and holds different meanings for different people. In Northern Europe, many worshipped the gods found in Norse mythology, especially the Viking people. In this mythology these gods created the world and humankind, living in the world tree Yggdrasil. Many important characters play vital roles in these mythologies, but one name appears more often than others, Loki. Loki and his children play many roles in Norse Mythology, such as his daughter serving the dead in Hel. Not falling in battle and going to Hel is a fate many warriors did not wish; yet one which befell one of their most beloved gods. Loki and his children are also destined to bring about the end of all things, called
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The exception to this is Loki. Loki is often referred to as the trickster, and is interwoven very finely into Norse Mythology. While Loki is not technically a god, as he was descended from the giants, Loki is the blood brother of Odin. His relation with the other gods varies on situations, as he creates trouble, but in the end also fixes the damage. Loki is also well practiced in Seiðr, which comes into play in many stories. Loki’s children are also famous in many tales. He is the mother of Sleipnir, an eight legged horse, as told in the story The Fortification of Asgard. Loki has another two sons with his wife Sigyn named Vali and Narfi. He also has three children with the giantess Angrboða. His son Fenrir, a giant wolf, was chained by the gods on an island when he grew too fast. His other son Jormangand, a giant serpent, was cast into the sea by Odin. Thor fishes for the world serpent in another popular tale. Then Loki has a daughter named Hel, who is a half corpse half living girl. She was banished by Odin to Niflheim where she serves the dead in …show more content…
They then brought his two sons Vali and Narfi to the cave. The gods turned Vali into a wolf, which tore apart his brother Narfi. They then used his intestines to bind Loki to the stones of the cave. Next the gods placed a poisonous serpent over his head to drip venom onto his face while he stands. Loki’s loyal wife Sigyn stands by to catch the venom in a bowl, but when she empties the bowl he must endure the agony. Loki’s fate is to suffer in the cave until he can break free during Ragnarök, which is the destruction of the
The god they worshiped above all gods was Òõinn, who was the head of all gods and is said to be the father of many of the gods (Gunnell 357). The Vikings believe that Òõinn sits in a high chair where he can watch over the whole entire world with his huge eye. They also believe that he is who breathes the first breathe into the first humans. The Vikings say that Òõinn is very popular with the warriors, which the Vikings consider themselves being, but they also mention that they aren’t sure if Òõinn wants those warriors’ dead or alive (Gunnell 358). The reason the Vikings say this because there are stories that mention the warriors alive and dead. The alive warriors are fighting battles for Òõinn and protecting him. The dead warriors are also preparing for a battle, a battle way more intense than the alive warriors ever fought. The battle of Ragnarok, which is the last battle at the end of the world. The Vikings also connect the living and the dead with the factor of Òõinn only having one eye, they believe that he has one living eye and one dead eye (Gunnell
... of light, and was to be chained to a rock in the world underneath a giant serpent who continually drips venom that causes Loki to writhe in agony but when Ragnarok arrives, Loki will be set free to wreak havoc on the world once more (McMahon).
Ancestor veneration is a practice that nearly all animistic peoples, past and present, have shared, and the pre-Christian Norse and other Germanic peoples are certainly no exception. The dead remained in their community’s collective memory long after their passing, and were perceived to confer blessings upon the land and the people they left behind. This may have been especially so if they were properly reverenced by their descendents.[1]
The Christianization of the Norse took place between the 8th and the 12th centuries. It was a gradual process that took considerable effort converting the Norse, as they did not wish to convert and in many cases conversion was by force. The traditional religion of the Norse people wasn't just a form of worship, it was apart of their culture and way of life. A belief system that was deeply rooted that made the concept of the original sin and other Christian beliefs just too hard for the Norse people to understand or believe.
Poseidon is a god of many names. He is most famous as the god of the sea. The son of Cronus and Rhea, Poseidon is one of six siblings who eventually "divided the power of the world." His brothers and sisters include: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Zeus. The division of the universe involved him and his brothers, Zeus and Hades. Poseidon became ruler of the sea, Zeus ruled the sky, and Hades got the underworld. The other divinities attributed to Poseidon involve the god of earthquakes and the god of horses. The symbols associated with Poseidon include: dolphins, tridents, and three-pronged fish spears.
Loki is known as the trickster god of Norse mythology and is even said to be one of the first anti-heroes. He is also probably one of the most well-known tricksters as well. In the Norse myths, he is often portrayed as being very mischievous and is always causing trouble for the gods. In fact, “he was so outrageously mischievous that he even sneaked his way into becoming a god” (Allen, and Saunders, par. 1). However, even though he almost always seems to be getting the gods into some kind of trouble, he also helps them at times in an attempt to get them out of their predicaments…even if those predicaments are his own fault to begin with.
Thor is the god of thunder who lived in asgard. The movie is about Thor’s
Thor wants to return home but believes he cannot because Loki said he was banished and that he had killed their father. After Thor doubts his return home the gatekeeper opens the portal for him to return home. At the end of Thor Loki also gets an opportunity to live, even though he tried tricking Thor into believing he could not return home because he killed their father. After Thor and Loki have their brother battle in Asgard they almost fall of the bridge, but, Thor holds on tight with Loki hanging from them. Odin awakes from his rest and grabs Thor’s arm, but, just as he is pulling them up Loki feels he is now unworthy and Let's go of Thor and falls off. He becomes the leader of his people, the Frost Giants.
The purpose of this myth for society is to exemplify viking virtues, belief of Ragnarok and archetypes to teach the society of the time and the modern audience. According to the nine noble virtues viking’s values were; courage, truth, honor, fidelity, discipline, hospitality, self reliance, industriousness and perseverance. The myth embodied this, especially courage, when Tyr sacrificed his hand to Fenrir’s jaw to prevent Ragnarok. Also, Tyr’s archetype of the god of honor, courage and justice is shown throughout the myth. Furthermore, this shows the belief of Ragnarok in Norse society, which historians can determine the family trees of gods that connects to other myths. Ultimately, the myth taught the society of the time and the modern audience
The Nordic creation myths tend to combine accretion/conjunction, secretion, and sacrifice motifs. It features the blending of fire and ice in a random joining of elements. When the warm breath of Muspell meets the frost of arctic Nieflheim, ice melts and the resulting water drops come to life, creating the evil giant Ymir. As the giant sleeps, sweat from his armpits creates the first man and woman. These other giants grow to despise Ymir and the creation story continues with the slaying and mutilation of the vile giant.
At Ragnarok Loki compiled an army of giants and his offspring to destroy Asgard. He was successful in destroying Asgard but he was killed by Heimdall in the process (McCoy). It was the goal of Loki to plunge the universe back into chaos and at Ragnarok, he was
Dayton, S. (n.d.). Norse mythology: Ragnarok, the end of the world. Retrieved July 17, 2010, from helium.com: http://www.helium.com/items/842938-norse-mythology-ragnarok-the-end-of-the-world
Odin is the ruler of the gods in Norse mythology. He was stuck by his own spear pinned to the World Tree. There he learned nine songs and eighteen runes. Odin lives in Asgard; from his throne he observes everything that happens in the nine worlds. Valhalla is a hall in Asgard where the dead warriors are taken; Odin is also known to reside there (pantheon/odin).
The Vikings have garnered attention over the years not only for their raiding and trading, but also for the Paganist gods and religion. Similar to many other ancient civilizations, the Vikings leave behind many myths containing tales of their gods and their beliefs. Marvel’s 2011 film Thor serves as an introduction to Norse gods and mythology, but it does fall flat in term of accuracy and detail in certain areas. Despite various large and small-scale changes to its overall plot and characters, Thor has been well-adapted to portray Norse myths as best as possible within an existing Marvel franchise.
Thor is the Norse God of Thunder. He is also a Deity of lightning, storms, Oak trees, farmers, fertility, strength, destruction, healing and death. Thor is also a protector of mankind and is very loyal to his father Odin and the Aesir Gods. In the past, he came to their defence any time it was needed, no matter how far away he was or what else he was doing. His family always comes first.