Norse, Nordic, or Scandinavian mythology, is the body of myths belonging to the North Germanic peoples(most notably the Vikings), stemming from Old Norse religion and continuing after the Christianization of Scandinavia, and into the Nordic folklore of the modern period. The northernmost extension of Germanic mythology and stemming from Proto-Germanic folklore, Norse mythology consists of tales of various deities, beings, and heroes derived from numerous sources from both before and after the pagan period, including medieval manuscripts, archaeological representations, and folk tradition.

The main source for most modern understanding of Norse Mythology is The Codex Regius, Codex Wormianus, Codex Trajectinus, and the Codex Upsaliensis which collectively contain The Prose and Poetic Eddas. The most notable of which being The Codex Regius which was written by Snorri Sturlson. The Prose Edda is a collection of short stories and The Poetic Edda is a collection of poems. Both of which describe similar events and figures.

Characters

The Æsir - Gods of War and Patrons of Humanity that lived in Asgard

• Odin - Father and King of the Æsir. God of knowledge, wisdom, and magic.
• Frigg - Mother and Queen of the Æsir. Goddess of marriage, motherhood, and prophecy.
• Bragi - Son of Odin and Frigg. God of poetry.
• Týr - Son of Odin and Frigg. God of War.
• Thor - Son of Odin and Frigg. God of Thunder and Lightning.
• Baldr - Son of Odin and Frigg. God of Light, Truth, and all that is good in the world.
• Hodr - Twin brother of Baldr. Blind God of Darkness.
• Heimdallr - Son of Odin and 9 Mothers who were all sisters. Guardian of Asgard, Herald of Ragnarök, and creator of Humanity.
• Vidar - Son of Odin. Silent God of Vengeance.
• Forseti - Son of Baldr and Nanna. God of Forgiveness.
• Idunn - Goddess of Youth.

The Vanir - Gods of Nature that lived in Vanaheimr

• Njörðr - God of the Oceans. Father of the fraternal twins Freyr and Freyja.
• Freyr - God of Fertility, Healing, and Summer.
• Freyja - Goddess of Love, Beauty, and War.
• Kvasir - Deceased god of alcohol and civilization.
• Ullr - God of winter and skiing.
• Mimir - A disembodied head of the smartest god to ever live.

Jötnar - Frost Giants that rivaled the Gods in terms of power that lived in jötunheimr

• Ymir - The Progenitor of the Jötnar. He was killed by Odin and his brother Villi and Ve to create the Earth and Asgard.
• Loki - God of Mischief and Lies. Blood brothers with Odin.
• Fárbauti - Father of Loki.
• Laufey - Mother of Loki.
• Angrboða. - Consort to Loki. Mother or Hel, Fenrir, and Jormangandr.
• Utgard-Loki - Entangler of the outyards. Powerful illusionist. No relation to Loki.
• Thrym - King of the Jötnar.
• Þjazi - Shapeshifter and kidnapper of Idunn.
• Hel - Daughter of Loki. Goddess of death. Queen of the underworld.
• Jormungandr - The world serpent. A giant venomous snake eating its own tail encircling the earth. Son of Loki.
• Fenrir - A monstrous wolf that must be bound with impossible things. Son of Loki.

Other Monsters and Figures

• Valkyries - Agents of Odin that collect the souls of the greatest fallen warriors from the battle field.
• Einherjar - Resurrected souls of fallen warriors that will spend the rest of eternity training in Valhalla for Ragnarök.
• The Kraken
• Dark Elves
• Light Elves
• Dwarves
• Fafnir - A dwarf magically turned by a ring into a dragon.
• Ratatoskr - A talking squirrel that runs up and down Yggdrasill the World Tree exchanging insults between Níðhöggr and Veðrfölnir.
• Níðhöggr - A giant snake that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasill the World Tree.
• Veðrfölnir - A giant bird that lives atop Yggdrasill the World Tree.
• The Njorns - 3 Women residing within the roots of Yggdrasill, determining the fate of all living people.
• Heidrun - A female goat with massive udders that provides liquid sustenance to the Einherjar.
• Sæhrímnir - A giant magical boar, slaughtered every night for food to the Einherjar. Is brought back to life the next day.
• Sleipnir - An 8-Legged Horse. Son of Loki. Personal steed of Odin.
• Gulltoppr - Heimdallr's mount.
• Gullinbursti - Freyr's mount. A giant golden boar that can run on land, air, water, and glows.
• Huginn & Muginn - Odin's pet Ravens. Represent thought and memory. Are sent out into the world to collect knowledge for Odin.

See also

• mythology
• european_mythology
• norse_mythology
• danish_mythology
• finnish_mythology
• icelandic_mythology