myth part 3

What does the term Ragnarök mean?

Fate of the Gods or Twilight of the Gods.

What is the cycle of Ragnarök?

Destruction, renewal, and rebirth.

What is Fimbulwinter?

A period of three consecutive winters with no summers in between, signaling the beginning of the end.

What happens to society during Fimbulwinter?

Society collapses and morality disappears, leading to brother killing brother.

What chain does Fenrir break to become free?

The magical chain Gleipnir.

What is the ship Naglfar made of?

The untrimmed fingernails and toenails of the dead.

Who leads the army from Muspelheim?

Surtr.

What weapon does Surtr use to raze the Earth?

A flaming sword.

What happens to the Bifrost bridge during Ragnarök?

It collapses as the enemies of the gods cross it.

Who blows the Gjallarhorn to signal the final battle?

Heimdall.

What is the name of the battlefield where the final conflict occurs?

Vigrid (Vígríðr).

What is the outcome of the battle between Odin and Fenrir?

Fenrir devours Odin.

How does Vidar kill Fenrir?

He steps on Fenrir's jaw using a special shoe made of leather scraps.

What is the outcome of the battle between Thor and Jörmungandr?

Thor kills the serpent but dies shortly after from its poison.

What is the outcome of the battle between Tyr and Garm?

They kill each other.

Why is Freyr at a disadvantage against Surtr?

He lacks his sword because he gave it away.

What is the outcome of the battle between Loki and Heimdall?

They kill each other.

Who becomes the new sun after the world is reborn?

The daughter of Sól.

Which gods return from death after the rebirth of the world?

Baldr and Hodr.

Who are the two human survivors that repopulate the world?

Lif and Lifthrasir.

Where do the human survivors hide during the destruction?

Hoddmimir's Wood.

What is another name for Hoddmimir's Wood?

Hoddmímis holt

What is Hoddmimir's wood?

The protective, sacred woodland where Lif and Lifthrasir survive Ragnarok

What do Lif and Lifthrasur eat in Hoddmimir's wood?

Morning dew until they emerge from the wood.

What is Hoddmimir's wood commonly associated with or compared/combined with?

The cosmic tree, Yggdrasil, and more specifically, near Mimir's dwelling (as the name suggests)

Where does the prophecy of Ragnarok come from?

Völuspá (seeress that is summoned by Odin)

What event is often considered to be the catalyst of Ragnarok?

Balder's death

What does Ragnarok symbolize in Norse mythology?

A cycle of Destruction → Renewal → Rebirth

What happens to humans during Fimbulwinter?

They turn on each other, desperate for survival and food/resources

What real-world event most likely correlates or explains Fimbulwinter?

The volcanic winter of 536-540 CE in Europe

What is the common explanation for how Fenrir breaks free from Glepnir?

The power of the apocalypse of Ragnarok fueled him to break free, and Ragnarok broke the enchantments of Glepnir

What is a less common explanation for how Fenrir breaks free from Glepnir?

There are earthquakes caused by Surtr's army, which some sources also claim to have helped Fenrir in escapes

How does Jormungandr escape his prison?

He spits out his tail and voluntarily chooses to join the chaos of Ragnarok and to fight Thor

What does Naglfar mean?

Old Norse for "nail farer" or "nail ship"

Who does Naglfar carry?

The giants, the dead from Helheim, and the forces of chaos

Who steers Naglfar according to Völuspá?

Loki

Who steers Naglfar according to Gylfaginning?

Hrym (jotun)

Why do the dead (from Helheim) fight on the side of chaos?

They are compelled to fight for Loki and the forces of chaos to destroy the Aesir gods, since they probably wanted vengeance

How was Naglfar made?

From the untrimmed fingernails and toenails. This happens because of an ancient Norse belief that humans not trimming the nails of the dead led to the creation of Naglfar

Who made Naglfar?

The Jotun and the forces of chaos.

What is the outcome of Surtr and Freyr's conflict?

Surtr kills Freyr

What happens to Loki at the start of Ragnarok?

He escapes his punishment and bindings

How does Loki escape his punishment?

As the world tree, Yggdrasil, shakes and trembles, Loki's bonds break, and he escapes

What is Hel's role in Ragnarok?

She opens the gates of Helheim (the bridge Gjallarbrú), sends the dead to join the fight, and supports her father and the forces of chaos, and Garmr breaks free from his bonds to join the fight

How are dead people described in Helheim?

Permanent cold and dampness

What road do people travel to reach Helheim?

Helvegr (Hel-road)

How are souls evaluated to be noble and worthy of Odin/Freyja or go to Hel?

Odin and Freyja choose the dead warriors through the Valkyries. Along with honor, hamingja (personal luck) and fylgja (following spirit) play a role in the evaluation of a soul.

What is Nastrond?

A place in Helheim where the dragon Nidhogg devours the souls of murderers, oath-breakers, and adulterers.

How is Nastrond described?

A hall with walls woven from venom-dripping snakes, representing a place of torment for the dishonorable. It is also described to go along the river Gjöll.

What creature lives in Nastrond?

Nidhogg

What does Nidhogg do in Nastrond?

He eats the souls of the souls there (murderers, oath-breakers, and adulters)

What does Heimdall do to signal the beginning of Ragnarok?

He blows the Gjallerhorn

What causes Fimbulwinter?

The wolves Skoll and Hait are catching Sol and Mani (the Sun and Moon), respectively.

What is the effect of Skoll and Hati catching Sol and Mani?

The world plunges into darkness, and Fimbulwinter begins

Who is the personification of the Sun?

Sol

How does Sol travel through the sky?

Sol rides her sun chariot, pulled by two horses

What are the names of the creatures that pull Sol's chariot?

Árvakr ("Early Riser") and Alsviðr ("All Swift")

What happens to Sol during an eclipse?

Skoll comes close to catching her

Who are Sol's parents?

Mundilfari and her unnamed mother

Who is Sol's sibling?

Mani (brother)

Who is Sol's husband?

Glenr

What is an alternate name used for Sol?

Álfröðull ("elf-beam" or "elf-disc")

Why do Sol and Mani drive the chariots in the sky for the Sun and Moon?

Mundilfari named his children after the sun and moon out of pride, which angered the gods, resulting in Sól and Máni being placed in the sky to drive the celestial chariots.

Who is Sol's daughter?

She doesn't have a name (often referred to as "Sol's daughter"), but she continues her mother's duties after Ragnarok

What is Sol's daughter's role after Ragnarok?

She takes over the role of the sun, bringing light to the new world after the destruction of the old one.

What does Sol's daughter inherit from her mother after Ragnarok?

She gets her sun chariot and her duty of driving it across the sky

What type of creature is Mundilfari?

A giant (jotun)

What does Mundilfari's name mean?

"the one moving according to particular times"

What is named after Mundilfari in the real world?

One of Saturn's moons

What happens to Mani during eclipses?

Hati almost devours him

What is the name of the wolf that chases the Sun (Sol)?

Sköll (or Skoll)

What is the name of the wolf that chases the Moon (Mani)?

Hati Hróðvitnisson (Pursuer)

How is Mani described?

He is described as a "year-teller" and guides the moon's course, often considered a calm and introspective deity.

How is Sol described?

Sól brings light and warmth to the world. She is portrayed as a tireless traveler, constantly moving from east to west to bring day to humanity.

What day of the week is derived from Mani?

Monday (Moon Day)

Who are Hjúki and Bil?

There are 2 children who were taken by Mani and follow him in the sky.

Where were Hjúki and Bil going when Mani took them?

The well Byrgir (meaning "Hider of Something")

What do Hjúki and Bil represent in the sky?

They represent the moon's changes.

Who is Hjúki and Bil's father?

Viðfinnr

What modern and popular story does Hjúki and Bil's story closely parallel?

Jack and Jill

What does Bil represent?

Bil is sometimes associated with the waning moon.

What does Hjúki represent?

Hjúki is sometimes associated with the waxing moon.

What does Odin do before the final battle of Ragnarok?

Before facing Surtr and the giants at Ragnarök, Odin rides to the well of Mímisbrunnr to talk with Mimir's head.

Why does Odin go to Mimir, and what does he speak about?

He seeks advice for the final battle (no specific lessons/advice are mentioned)

Who takes on the role of the Moon after Mani is devoured at Ragnarok?

His daughter (not as big a focus, and unclear if Sol's daughter ends up taking both responsibilities)

What is Mani's role for humanity?

Máni is responsible for controlling the moon's phases and counting the years for mankind.

What are Hjúki and Bil also sometimes credited with being responsible for?

The craters/spots on the Moon

How does Mani travel across the sky?

By driving a horse-drawn chariot (the names are not mentioned)

Who is the personification of Day?

Dagr is the personification of day in Norse mythology

Who is the personification of Night?

Nótt

How is Dagr described?

He is depicted as a bright, beautiful deity

What does Dagr do?

He rides across the sky every 24 hours on his horse

How does Dagr ride across the sky?

He rides his horse, Skinfaxi

What is the name of Dagr's horse?

Skinfaxi, whose mane illuminates the world

What does Dagr represent?

He is the personification of day, clarity, and goodness in the cosmic battle against the darkness of night.

Who are Dagr's parents?

Dellingr (associated with the dawn) and Nótt (night)

What prayer is used with Dagr's name?

Dagr is invoked in a sacred, early-morning prayer by the valkyrie Sigrdrífa, "Hail to the Day! Hail Sons of Day!".

Who describes Day and Night?

Odin asks the giant Vafþrúðnir about the origins of day and night. This led to the detailed descriptions we use now.

Who is Nótt's parent?

Nörvi (a jotun)

Who is Nótt's horse?

Hrímfaxi