Norse Mythology: A Germanic Indigenous Religion

Before the rise of Christianity swept over the Germanic region during the middle ages, the people had their own indigenous religion. Norse mythology was one aspect of Germanic indigenous religion. In this research paper I will tell were Norse mythology originated from, the creation story, how the sun and moon came to be, and how humans were created. I will also include deities such as, Odin, Thor, Freya, and Loki, and creatures. Then I will go over the nine worlds. Norse mythology is a lesser known but interesting concept.

Where it Originated- The religion was never really given a true name, but those who practiced it called it "tradition." Individuals who followed it, even after Christianity, were called "heathens,” which meant "people

The Vikings are important because they are part of the study of the indigenous mythology and religion.

Creation-

Before the world was created, there were two places. One was Nilfheim, it was the darkest and coldest region. It made of ice, frost and fog. It is in the northern region of Ginunngagap, which is a great void between the two regions. In the southern region of Ginunngagap, there is Muspelheim. Muspelheim is the land of fire. In that land there is a Giant named Surt, he is the ruler. Fire demons and fire giants call Muspelheim home. The fire and ice from the regions met, and made a humanoid creature, it was a Jotun named Ymir. While he slept, the sweat from under his arms created two more giants. On was male, the other female. One of his legs paired with the other to create a third giant. These were the first of the frost giants or Jotuns. They were fed by the cow Audhumla, who was made like Ymir, from the melting ice of Ginnungagap. Audhumla fed herself on a block of salty ice. Something strange happened. On the first day human hair came out of the rock. The second day she licked the rock, a head appeared. On the last and third day, a body emerged. The man the came out of the rock was Buri, the first of the

Light elves are very beautiful, and considered to be guardian angels. Dark elves are a different story. They hate the sun, and live underground. They are told to be ugly, and sit on humans chests to cause nightmares. Dwarfs are something we talked about earlier. They are master craftsmen, who were worms that came out of Ymir’s body when he was killed. They live in Nidavellir, another world.

The Nine Realms- There are nine worlds in Norse mythology. They are divided in three sections. The name of the tree that they are connected to is Yggdrasil, or the tree of life. The first level of Yggdrasil is Asgard, the home of the gods, and goddesses. Then there is Vanaheim, where masters of sorcery live. The third is Alfheim, the home of the light elves. Then we go to the next level. This is where our world is, Migard. Midgard is connected to Asgard by a rainbow bridge. Jotunheim is next, where the Jotuns live. Then there is Svartalfheim, home of the dark elves. After is Nidavellir where the dwarfs live. On the final level is Niflheim, the land of ice and fog. We talked about in the creation part. Next is Muspelheim, the land of