“Good workmen never quarrel with their tools;
I’ve got new mythological machinery,
And very handsome supernatural scenery.”
THE mythology of the Northmen is so intimately connected with their
literature, that any notice of the one would be incomplete without some
reference to the other. The whole system is as complicated and
ingenious, and quite as interesting, as the mythology of the Greeks and
Romans. At the dawning of time, according to the Scandinavian theory,
there were two primitive worlds,—MUSPELL, or MUSPELHEIM, and NIFLHEIM.
Muspell was located in the south, or _above_; and Niflheim, _below_, or
in the north. Muspell is the world of light and fire. On its border,
guarding it, sits SURTUR, the god of the flaming sword, and chief of the
chaotic demons. At the period of RAGNAROK, or end of time, Surtur comes
forth with his flaming falchion, enters the last great battle,
vanquishes all the gods, and consumes the universe with fire.[7]
NIFLHEIM, or the world below, is the region of cold and darkness; and in
the middle of it is the fountain Hvergelmir, from which flow twelve
rivers.[8] Between Muspell, above, and Niflheim, below, was a wide
chaotic space, known as GINNUNGAGAP. In this space, as will be seen, the
earth was formed and peopled. The part of Ginnungagap towards the north,
was filled with vast piles of congealed vapor from the rivers of
Niflheim. The part towards the south was full of sparks from Muspell.[9]
When the congealed vapor was met by the heat and sparks, it melted into
drops; and, “by the might of him who sent the heat,” the drops quickened
into life, and put on human form.[10] This being, so made, was called
Ymir; and from him the Frost-giants are descended. There was also formed
from the drops of vapor, a cow named Audhumla, and on the milk of this
cow Ymir subsisted. From the stones that the cow licked, there sprang a
man who was endowed with agility, power, and beauty. This man was called
Bur, and he had a son named Bör, who took for his wife Besla, the
daughter of the giant Bölthorn, Bör had three sons, ODIN,[11] VILI, and
VE; though the two latter are usually considered as attributes of Odin
himself. The sons of Bör slew the giant Ymir; and so much blood flowed
from his body, that all the race of Frost-giants were drowned in it,
except one—Bergelmir—who, with his wife, escaped on board of his bark.
From these two all the Frost-giants, or race of Jötuns, are
descended.[12]
The sons of Bör dragged the body of Ymir into the middle of
Ginnungagap, and from it formed the earth. From his blood they made the
ocean, which encompassed the earth on every side, like a broad ring.
Out of his flesh they made the land, and from his bones the mountains;
from his hair they formed the trees, and with his teeth and jaws, and
some pieces of broken bones, they made stones and pebbles. Of his skull
they formed the arched heavens, which they raised over the earth; and
in the four quarters of the heavens, like four sentries on the watch,
they placed four dwarfs,—East, West, North, and South[13]—and there
they keep their places, and bear up the sky. The brains of Ymir they
threw in the air, and of these the clouds were formed. The earth, or
Midgard,[14] was represented as level and circular, and midway between
Muspell, above, and Niflheim, below. Around the outer edge, next to
the ocean, the sons of Bör raised a bulwark of Ymir’s eyebrows, as a
protection against the Jötuns. Outside of Midgard, flows the great
ocean; and beyond this, in another circle, is Jötunheim,[15] the land
of the Jötuns, a rough mountain waste.
One of the most intricate and sublime conceptions, is the myth of
the ash Yggdrasill. This tree is typical of nature, and intimately
connected with and partly supporting the earth. The branches of this
tree extend over the whole world, and reach above heaven. It has three
roots, which are very wide asunder. One springs from the region of the
Frost-giants, in Jötunheim; the second, from Niflheim; and the third is
in heaven. The second root, in Niflheim, is gnawed by the great dragon
Nidhogg; and under it is the fountain Hvergelmir, whence flow the
twelve great rivers. Under the root of the ash that is in heaven, is
the holy Urdar-fount, where the gods sit in judgment. Under the root in
Jötunheim is Mimir’s well, and in this well wisdom lies concealed. All
who desire wisdom or knowledge, must drink of the water of this well.
The Jötuns are represented as older than the gods, and in consequence
they look deeper into the past. For this reason, the gods must go to
the Jötuns for knowledge. Odin came to Mimir one day, and asked for a
draught of water from the well; but Mimir would not furnish it, till
he left one of his eyes in pledge. In the branches of the ash sits
an eagle that knows many things; and the squirrel Ratatösk runs up
and down the tree, bearing words of strife between the eagle and the
dragon Niddhogg at the root. Four harts run over the branches of the
tree, and bite off the buds.
From earth to heaven is a bridge called Bifröst, or the rainbow. Over
this bridge the gods ride on horseback, every day, going to and from
their judgment-seat in heaven. Their horses all have names. The most
celebrated is Sleipnir, the horse of Odin. He is a beautiful gray color,
has eight legs, and excells all horses ever possessed by gods or men.
This famous steed, as will be seen hereafter, when ridden by Hermod the
Nimble, once sprang over the gates of Hel.
The gods, or race of ÆSIR, live in Asgard, a city in heaven, in the
center of the universe. ODIN, the first and eldest of the Æsir, is at
the head, governs all things, and all the other deities obey him, as
children do a father. He is the highest, the supreme deity, and is
supposed to be the progenitor of all the other gods; and, on this
account, is called ALL-FATHER.[16] Seated on his throne Hlidskjalf, he
sees throughout the world, and comprehends all things. His mansion,
called Valaskjalf, was built by the gods, and has a roof of pure silver.
Odin is represented seated on his throne, with a spear in his right
hand, and on each side his two wolves, Geri and Freki. On his shoulders
are his two ravens, who fly abroad throughout the earth during the day,
and return at night, and give him tidings of all that is going on. They
are named HUGIN and MUNIN, or _Thought_ and _Memory_; and nothing
transpires but what is caught up by them, and whispered in the ear of
Odin. All the meat that is set before him, he gives to his wolves, for
wine to him is both meat and drink. As related in the Edda:[17]
Geri and Freki
Feedeth the war-faring,
Famed father of hosts;
For ’tis with wine only
That Odin, in arms renowned,
Is nourished for aye.
The wife of Odin is FRIGA the daughter of Fjorgyn; and from these two
are descended the race of the Æsir. Friga foresees the destinies of men,
but never reveals what is to come.[18]
THOR,[19] the son, the first-born of Odin and Friga, is “the mightiest
of gods and men.” He is the god of thunder, is armed with a mallet
called Mjölnir, has a belt of strength or prowess, and wears iron
gauntlets. His favorite employment is fighting the Jötuns, with whom he
is at perpetual war. With his gauntlets on his hands—without which he
cannot grasp his weapon—he hurls at them his terrible mallet, and
crushes in their skulls. He is favorable to the race of men, and keeps
watch in Midgard—the home of man, or Manheim—and defends them from the
giants of Jötunheim. He has two sons, Modi and Magni. Thor is
represented in a car drawn by two goats; hence he is called Auku-Thor,
or Charioteer Thor.[20] He is attended by the nimble-footed boy Thjálfi,
and the girl Roskva the Quick.
Thor’s home is Thrudvang—the home of strength—and his mansion is called
Bilskirnir. This is “the largest house ever built,” and contains five
hundred and forty halls. Thor’s marvelous exploits, his combats with the
enemies of mankind—the Jötuns and the Midgard serpent—are favorite
themes with all the old Icelandic writers. Though Thor is the son of
Odin, he is not always considered as his inferior. Temples for the
separate worship of Thor, and statues dedicated to him, were erected in
various parts of Scandinavia.
The next god in rank, is BALDUR, the second son of Odin.[21] He is
represented as fair in form and feature, as universally beloved, and the
mildest, the wisest, and most eloquent of all the Æsir. Such is his
nature, that his judgment once pronounced, can never be altered. His
hair is supremely fair, and in allusion to it, a beautiful plant that is
almost white—the _Anthemis Cotula_—is called Baldur’s Eyebrow.[22]
Baldur dwells in the mansion called Breidablik, one of the fairest in
heaven. Nothing impure or unclean can enter it. His wife is NANNA, the
daughter of Nep. The myth of Baldur’s death, is one of the most
beautiful in the Northern Mythology. All the deities, as well as men,
joined in his praise; and at his death, the whole universe was in
mourning.
FORSETI, the son of Baldur and Nanna, is the god of Righteousness, and
presides over Justice. He possesses the heavenly mansion called Glitnir,
the walls, columns, and beams of which are of solid gold, and the roof
pure silver. He reconciles all disputants at law; those bringing their
cases before him never failing to find perfect satisfaction in his
decisions.[23]
BRAGI, the son of Odin, is the god of Poetry: hence the art of poetry is
called _Bragr_. Bragi has a flowing beard,[24] and is noted for his
eloquence, and the correct use of language. His wife is IDUNA, the
goddess of Eternal Youth. She is entrusted with the keeping of the
apples which the gods, on feeling old, have only to taste, to become
young again.
ÆGIR is the deity of the Ocean, though a Jötun, and not reckoned with
the Æsir. His wife is RAN; and with a net she catches unfortunate
mariners. Ægir entertains all the Æsir, at a grand feast of the gods
given at the autumnal equinox.
NJORD, who dwells in the heavenly region called Noatun, rules over the
winds and the waves, and checks the fury of the elements, the sea, and
the fire. His aid is invoked by fishermen and sea-farers. The wife of
Njord is SKADI, the daughter of a Jötun. Njord and Skadi have two
children; FREY, a son, and a daughter named FREYJA. Frey is one of the
most celebrated and beloved of all the gods. He rides in a car drawn by
a boar, presides over the rain, the sunshine, and the fruits of the
earth. His aid is invoked for good harvests, and also for peace; and he
dispenses wealth to those who do him honor.[25] Frey fell violently in
love with Gerda, one of the most beautiful of all the women, and ordered
Skirnir, his trusty messenger, to go and ask her hand for him. Skirnir
promised to do so if Frey would give him his sword, a weapon of such a
rare quality, that it would strew a field with slain, at the bidding of
its owner. Impatient for the possession of Gerda, he gave Skirnir the
sword; and afterwards, in a battle with Beli, he slew him with the
antlers of a stag. In the last great battle, where all of the gods are
engaged, Frey is without a weapon.[26]
HEIMDAL—called also the White god—is a sacred and powerful deity, the
son of nine Jötun virgins, who were sisters. He is called Gold-toothed,
his teeth being of pure gold. He dwells in Himinbjorg, at the end of
Bifröst, and has a famous horse named Gulltopp. He is the warder or
sentry of the gods, and therefore was placed on the borders of heaven,
to prevent the Jötuns from forcing their way over the bridge. His ear is
so acute, that no sound escapes him; he can even hear the grass grow, or
the wool on the backs of sheep. He requires less sleep than a bird, sees
a hundred miles around him on every side, and by night as well as by
day. In time of danger, or when he wishes to call the gods together, he
blows a blast on his Gjallar-horn, that sounds throughout all worlds;
and the gods immediately assemble.
HÖDUR is a deity who is blind, but possesses great strength. He is more
fully described in the account of Baldur’s death.
VIDAR, surnamed the Silent, and noted for his heavy shoes, is the son of
Odin and the Jötun-woman Grida. He possesses immense strength, being
nearly as strong as Thor himself. Great reliance is placed on him in
cases of emergency.
VALI, the son of Odin and Rinda, is most valiant in war; and, in his
youth, was as precocious as the Mercury of the ancients. He slew Hödur,
the murderer of Baldur, before he was a day old.
ULLUR, the son of Sif, and step-son of Thor, has great skill in the use
of the bow. His name signifies the White, or the Wool-like. He favors
the winter, and travels with great speed on skates and snow-shoes. He is
very handsome, has every quality of a warrior, and is often invoked by
those who engage in single combat. Vidar and Vali will survive the
destruction of the world by the fire of Surtur, and dwell on the plain
of Ida, where Asgard formerly stood. Thither shall come to meet them,
Modi and Magni, the sons of Thor, bringing with them their father’s
mallet.
Of the goddesses, FRIGA, the wife of Odin, is the highest. Her mansion
is called Fensalir. The next in rank is SAGA, the goddess of History.
Her house is Sökkvabek, and is of great size. The goddess EIR presides
over the art of Healing.[27] GEFJON is a maid, and all who die maids
go to her, and become her hand-maidens. FULLA is also a maid. She has
beautiful hair that flows over her shoulders, and a gold ribbon adorns
her head. She is an attendant and confidant of Friga, and is entrusted
with her secrets. FREYJA is the wife of Odur; and they have a daughter,
Hnossa, who is celebrated for her beauty. Odur travels through distant
countries; and, in his absence, Freyja weeps, and her tears are pure
gold. As she goes over the world in search of her husband, the people
give her different names. She rides in a chariot drawn by two cats. The
goddess LOFNA is mild in her demeanor, and takes delight in smoothing
the path of lovers, and promoting the success and union of those who
are sincerely attached to each other. VORA is a goddess that punishes
lovers’ false vows and perjuries. GNA is the messenger of Friga, and
is sent by her on various errands through different worlds. She has a
horse called Hófvarpnir, that can travel through water or air. Besides
these, there are many other goddesses whose duty it is to serve in
Valhalla, wait on the gods, take care of their drinking horns, &c.
These are called the Valkyrjor.[28] Odin sends the Valkyrjor to every
battle-field, to decide who shall be slain, and declare on which side
victory shall rest. They carry the spirits of the slain to Odin, in
Valhalla.
Among the inferior deities are three maidens called Norns. Their names
are Urd, Vernandi, and Skuld; or, Past, Present, and Future. They
preside over the birth and destinies of men, and determine their fate
and length of life. There are also other Norns besides these three. Some
of them are of heavenly origin, and dispense good destinies. Others are
of the races of elves, or evil spirits; and men who meet with numerous
misfortunes are said to be under the influence of evil Norns. There is
also a class of inferior beings known as Dwarfs. They dwell in caves and
caverns of the earth.
FOOTNOTES:
-----
Footnote 7:
Surtur, as interpreted to me by an intelligent Icelander, corresponds
pretty nearly to the evil one, the arch-fiend, and great enemy of
mankind. The gods, or Æsir, protect and defend man; Surtur is the
enemy of them all. The bituminous mineral or mineralized wood found in
Iceland, is very inflammable, and known as Surturbrand, or the devil’s
fire. The cave of Surtshellir, mentioned on page 109, is an
illustration of the character of Surtur; and from this cave, many of
the Icelanders to this day believe that Surtur will one day emerge, to
destroy the world.
Footnote 8:
The names of these rivers are, Svaul, Gunnþrá, Fiörm, Fimbul, Þulr,
Slið, Hrið, Sylgr, Ylgr, Við, Leiptur, and Giöll.
Footnote 9:
These, after the earth was made, became the stars that filled the
heavens.
Footnote 10:
The ingenuity of the heathen could not imagine a world created without
the power of a deity.
Footnote 11:
Oðinn.
Footnote 12:
This seems like a heathen version of the history of Noah and the great
flood.
Footnote 13:
Austri, Vestri, Norðri, and Suðri.
Footnote 14:
Miðgarð.
Footnote 15:
Yo-tun-hime, or _giant’s home_.
Footnote 16:
Alfaðir.
Footnote 17:
The Grimnis-mál.
Footnote 18:
A very rare quality for a female, to keep secrets!
Footnote 19:
Þor, supposed to be a contraction of Þonar; hence his title, the
Thunderer.
Footnote 20:
It will be observed that Odin and Thor, in their various attributes,
are represented much like Saturn and Jupiter. Thor’s youthful
attendants are like the Hebe and Ganymede of Jove.
Footnote 21:
He is known as Baldur the Good; and corresponds very nearly to the
Apollo of the ancient Greeks.
Footnote 22:
Balldursbrá; and so known in Sweden to this day.
Footnote 23:
In this he certainly excels the lawyers and judges of the present day.
Footnote 24:
There is no account of any of the Scandinavian deities using the
razor; not even the weakest and simplest of them; that folly being
specially reserved for men. Bragi in preserving the manly appendage,
the beard, showed himself in this, as in other things, one of the
foremost of his race, and a fit associate for superior intelligences.
Footnote 25:
A character much like Ceres.
Footnote 26:
In this myth we see a quiet satire on those, who to gratify some
darling passion or desire, sacrifice their most valuable possessions.
Footnote 27:
A sort of female Æsculapius.
Footnote 28:
Their names are Geirölul, Göll, Herfjötur, Hlökk, Hrist, Mist,
Radgrid, Randgrid, Reginlief, Skeggold, Skögul, and Þrudur.