Norse Mythology: Gods and Races, Part 3

At last, we reach the final segment of this lesson on Norse Mythology. This will actually conclude our discussion of Norse Mythology, moving next to something related – spirituality. Following that lesson will be runes. This lesson will cover some of the major races of the Norse Cosmology: Giants, Dwarves, Elves, Valyries, and Norns. These are most definitely not all there is, nor are my words about them nearly enough. However, I feel these are the most popular of creatures with major roles.

If there is anything about Norse Mythology I did not cover that you wished to have seen discussed, please let it be known and I will happily discuss it. There is much more to the topic than what I have touched with these past few lessons. Even what I have discussed lacks the true depth and detail it deserves. However, for the goal of this crash course, I feel it has been a good balance so far. Regardless, I hope you all continue to enjoy these and learn well from them.

Jötnar (Giants)

The Jötnar dwell in Jötunheimr (Giant Land). They are the oldest inhabitants of the Norse cosmology, existing even before the gods themselves. They are no simple bunch and are rather diverse. They are not all massive in size nor are they all hostile towards the gods. In fact, there are plenty of occasions in which the gods and giants have come together. One such example is Njord and Skadi.

Ymir is among the most famous of giants, though he is called Aurgelmir by the Frost Giants. However, when he was killed by the sons of Bor (Odin, Vili, Ve), his blood drowned all Frost Giants except for one household. Bergelmir was the one to survive, and from him came a second race of Jötunar.

Giants are generally regarded as the enemies of the gods (Thor especially fights them often), for the mountains giants will be the ones to cross Bifrost and siege Asgard. However, many giants are necessary in the Norse world, whether in natural phenomenon or in events or marriages. Some allegedly create the world’s wind – Hræsvelgr. Also, although cloaked with suspicion, it was a giant who helped build the fortress at Asgard. Giants should not simply be shrugged off as a source of evil. There was obviously a sense within Norse mythology that the concept of “evil” was not so simple and concrete.

Dvergar (Dwarves)

Dvergar emerged from the flesh of Ymir. At first, they were maggots, but they were given human understanding and appearance by the gods. They dwell in the earth and rock. They are best known for their craftsmanship, having forged and created many important things in Norse mythology.

The sons of Ívaldi crafted the best of all ships, known as skidbladnir. It was given to Frey as a gift. It can fit all of the Æsir and a good wind always blows for it. It is even capable of folding up so that it may fit inside a pouch. It was the sons of Ívaldi who forged Odin’s spear, Gungnir. The dwarf Brokk forged Frey his golden bristled boar, Gullinbursti. He also forged Thor’s famous hammer, Mjöllnir, and Draupnir, a magical ring. It was also the dwarves who fashioned a way to bind Fenrir, the monstrous wolf.

Álfar (Elves)

Álfar are very fascinating creatures. There are many different kind of them and the sources about them are scattered throughout various poems and sagas. They are luminous beings that are seen as the spirits of ancestors. Dísir are the female spirits. Light and Dark elves dwell in Álfheimr, over which the god Frey is lord.

Álfar do not shy away from being involved with mortal affairs. They have been known to become guardians of the land itself, known as Landvættir. Landnámabók, The Book of Settlements, states that dragon-prows of ships must be removed close to land in fear of disturbing or offending these spirits. Sacrifices are often made to Elf-kind, álfakyn, to ensure they remain pleased and not bring harm to people.In a few sagas, they have been known to cause sickness in people, but can also heal sicknesses as well. In other words, álfar are very diverse and complex, but quite fascinating.

Valkyrja (Valkyrie)

The Valkyries are women who serve in Valhalla, serving mead to theEinherjar (the slain warriors). They are sent by Odin to the ravaged fields of war where they decide the fates of men; who shall die and who shall rise to Valhalla. Not only so they choose the slain, but they oversee these battles and have a role in deciding which side is to be victorious.

They are a powerful force that have many responsibilities and have great influences. They are quite active in events and are rather common in literary works. They also provide a “role model” for powerful, non-supernatural women. They are the famine rendition of the berserkr, and equally frightening to face (if not more so), mind you. Reading the poem known as Darraðarljod (The Song of Dorrud) in Njal’s saga will give you a good idea of their role in battle.

Read more about Valkyrja in this ask by @1224isy – Notes on Valkyries and the like?

Nornir (Norns)

There are three Nornir in particular that are well known, they are: Urð(fate), Verðandi (becoming), and Skuld (obligation). Like the Valkyries, they shape the lives of men. However, they do so from their very birth, rather than on a battlefield. These Nornir reside in Asgard at the Well of Urd, which is a place of judgement. Still, there are other Nornir. There are those of the Æsir, which I already mentioned, but there are also Nornir of the Dvergar and Álfar. Nornir can be either good or bad. Misfortune is the result of bad Nornir.

I hope this lesson was helpful and enjoyable. I know that I did not cover as much as I would have liked, but I need to get better at keeping the material to a suitable size for some of these. If you would like more detail, feel free to send an ask and I shall provide! 

Next week’s lesson will be about spirituality.

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Sources

1. Dukes-Knight, Jennifer, “Norse Mythology,” Lecture, Viking History, University of South Florida, 2015.
2. Sturluson, Snorri, The Prose Edda. London: Penguin Classics, 2005.
3. Geir T. Zoëga. A Concise Dictionary of Old Icelandic. Mineola, NY: Dover Publications, 2004.
4. Angus A. Somerville and R. Andrew McDonald. The Viking Age: A Reader (2nd Edition). Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2014. 

Images (in order of appearance):

1. Giant Skrymir and Thor by Louis Huard
2.  Asgard Stories: Tales from Norse Mythology”Freyja in the Cave of the Dwarfs” by Mary H. Foster (1901)
3. Ängsälvor (Swedish ‘Meadow Elves’) by Nils Blommér (1805)
4. The Ride of the Valkyries by John Charles Dollman (1909) 
5. The Norns by Johannes Gehrts (1889)