Research Paper On Odin

Norse Mythology’s creation started with a giant named Ymir. He emerged from the ground and grew very large from cow’s milk. In time, the god Buri and his wife appeared and gave birth to Bor and Bor’s son was named Odin. Ymir, was evil, and the gods didn’t like it, so they killed him, making his huge body form the earth. His blood became the sea, his flesh became land, his bones became mountains, his hair became the trees, and his

Scandinavian Paganism, more commonly known as Norse Mythology, was a popular polytheistic religion during the Anglo-Saxon time period. It is believed to have been derived from the culture of Germanic Paganism. According to Norse Mythology, at the center of the universe lies the greatest ash tree, known as Yggdrasil, whose roots and branches spread across the universe connecting each of the nine realms of Aesir, giants, and Niflheim. The world was believed to have been created by the body of Ymir, a giant that was killed and dismembered by the first gods. His flesh created the earth, his bones formed the mountains, and his blood filled the seas.

There are several myths that revolve around Odin and his endless quest for wisdom and how he is able to use that to his advantage (Holland,186). In myth 15 he learns wisdom from a giant named Vafthrudnir, in the story he challenges the giant to a contest by asking each other questions and the wager is their heads. After asking multiple questions to see who is wiser, Odin defeats the giant. In myth 28, Odin goes about reaching ultimate knowledge in a different way. In the myth he raises seeresses from the dead to gain knowledge and even sacrifices himself to win the occult wisdom possessed only by the dead; and came back to life to use that knowledge in the world of living (Holland, 187).

Norse mythology has been traced as far as the 2nd century AD and has been studied by the Vikings mostly. These Viking were from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Faroe Island, and Greenland. Norse mythology was at one point a religion of which people studied. North religion bases all its stories on the Elder Edda, which creates stories from god's other wise known as the Aesir and gives a standard of how the earth was made, how we should treat others, and stories of lessons we must learn. In this type of mythology it also gives knowledge as to what happens when you die. It says there are two possible places people could go, Helheim, Valhalla. Most people who die go to Helheim but those who die an honorable death are rewarded by going to Valhalla.

Vikings, also known as Norsemen or Northmen, were a group of people from the Scandinavian warriors that existed from the 9th century until the 11th century. They were seafaring warriors that raided and claimed their areas in Europe. Their disruptive influence affected the European history. The pagan vikings, which were Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish, were prompted to take their raids caused by overpopulation or helplessness of their victims.

The Vikings lived in Scandinavia and they worshiped many gods. The Vikings believed that different gods were responsible for different areas of daily life. There were gods for harvests, love, family and war, and that they don’t just have to rely on one god. It is thought that the Vikings made animal or human sacrifices to the gods to get something they needed, such as a good harvest or success in a battle. For example if they needed

     An important point on the subject of Odin remains that unlike the Christian God, Norse gods such as Odin are fallible. They show bias towards specific mortals and often act out of their best interest. Often times, advice given by such gods has selfish intent and only serves as the means to which the god creates his ultimate end.

The significance of Germanic mythology and religion to its culture is that it was a clear and understandable guide for people to follow and abide by. Religion was an important part of Germanic mythology because it was the focal point that kept order within the people. According to many Germanic myths, the people used water, fire, and animals were utilized as tools for religious practices. Germanic people valued their religion immensely. The most powerful weapons they had were the hammer and the ax and they used those to symbolize the Aesir which were the chief gods.

Dating back to the Early Middle Ages, a certain “barbarian” group, the Vikings, arrived and left their imprint on history. Moreover, their constant mingling with others of different cultures led them to make a difference to their neighbors. Eventually, the Vikings contributed to the constant adjustments made to Western Civilization, and many stemmed from religion, the basis of all their actions. Similar to the Roman Mythology , the Vikings exercised their own, unique mythology.

Viking history and culture have been depicted in many movies, television series, and stories. Vikings are commonly known as barbarians that raid villages and intimidate others with huge ships with dragon heads, and horned helmets. This information is based on facts, but has been distorted and exaggerated over many years and tales. Viking history spans from the years 780 until 1100, which is the time span of the Viking raids. Not every Scandinavian was a Viking; Vikings were known as the men that conducted raids and bloody battles. The old definition of Viking was synonymous with the term pirate. The modern definition is relevant to the Scandinavian medieval culture, to include farming, crafting and trading.

Vikings throughout history have created a false sense of identity over time. Usually in medias and stories the Vikings are depicted as savage barbarians bent on destruction, but never as structured civilized people who had a well formed and organized military. The Vikings were a collective clan of people, that stemmed from northern europe during the middle ages. They engaged in many activities that were propounded in other countries, those being trade, exploration, and colonization. They founded many cities on three different continents, several of which are still occupied.

The history of the Norse people goes all the way back to the Stone Age, but they are best known for a period of time when they raided several parts of Europe known as the Viking Age.

Asses the relevance of Loki within the Ancient Norse Pantheon. No individual is more influential in the Ancient Norse religion than Loki. Considered an outsider to the Æsir he was instrumental in both the rise of the gods and their defeat. He is the most mysterious character in the religion and little is known of his origin, he was rarely prayed to yet is an extremely prevalent persona in records of the religious beliefs of the people.

Mythology is a gathering of myths, particularly the ones that have a place with a specific consecrated, religious, or social custom of a gathering of individuals. Myths are an accumulation of stories advised to clarify nature, history, and customs– or the investigation of such myths.

They would fly over the world daily and return to tell him everything that has happened in Midgard. Odin is a God of magic, wisdom, wit, and learning. In the later times, Odin was associated with war and slaughter from the Viking perspective, although in earlier times, no such suggestion was present. He is both the shaper of Wyrd and the bender of Orlog; a task only possible through the power of mental thought and impress. Odin sacrifices an eye at the well of Mimir to gain inner wisdom, and later hangs himself upon the World Tree Yggdrasil to gain the knowledge and power of the Runes.