ᛟᚱᚦᚨᛚᛁᛊᛏᛁ

orðalisti

Glossary of the Norse Mythology

Introduction

This glossary of the Norse Mythology brings together the many gods and other beings, places, events, and cultural concepts that form the world of Norse mythology. The mythological tradition of early Scandinavia presents a rich and interconnected cosmos, populated not only by well-known gods such as Odin and Thor, but also by giants, dwarfs, spirits, heroes, and symbolic figures that together shape the mythic landscape. Rather than existing as isolated stories, these figures belong to a shared cosmology structured around realms, natural forces, and fate itself.

At the center of this worldview stands the world tree Yggdrasil, which connects divine realms, the human world, and the underworld. Within this structure, myths explore themes of creation, conflict, wisdom, honor, and inevitable change, culminating in events such as Ragnarök, the destruction and renewal of the cosmos. Alongside divine beings, the glossary also includes legendary locations, mythological creatures, and cultural concepts that help explain how these stories were understood in their historical and literary context.

This glossary is intended as a clear reference tool, offering concise explanations that make it easier to navigate the complex network of characters and ideas found in Norse myth, whether for study, storytelling, or general exploration.

Æsir (Principal Gods)

  • Almáttki áss — title meaning “almighty god,” often associated with Odin.
  • Baldr — god of light, purity, and beauty; son of Odin and Frigg.
  • Bragi — god of poetry, eloquence, and skaldic tradition.
  • Dellingr — personification or god of the dawn.
  • Forseti — god of justice, reconciliation, and mediation.
  • Heimdall — watchman of the gods; guardian of the Bifröst bridge.
  • Hermóðr — divine messenger who rides to Hel for Baldr.
  • Höðr — blind god who unintentionally kills Baldr.
  • Hœnir — god associated with decision-making and creation.
  • Ítreksjóð — obscure mythological figure, possibly a heroic or royal character.
  • Lóðurr — god involved in the creation of the first humans.
  • Loki — trickster figure; shapeshifter and instigator of many myths.
  • Máni — personification of the moon.
  • Meili — god, described as a brother of Thor.
  • Mímir — wise being guarding the well of knowledge.
  • Móði and Magni — sons of Thor; embody strength and courage.
  • Odin — chief god; associated with wisdom, war, magic, and poetry.
  • Óðr — mysterious god, husband of Freyja.
  • Thor — thunder god and protector of gods and humanity.
  • Týr — god of war, law, and oaths; sacrifices his hand to Fenrir.
  • Ullr — god associated with hunting, skiing, and winter.
  • Váli (son of Odin) — god of vengeance; avenges Baldr’s death.
  • Víðarr — silent god of strength; kills Fenrir at Ragnarök.
  • Vili and Vé — brothers of Odin; co-creators of the world.

Ásynjur (Goddesses)

  • Bil — girl associated with the moon in myth.
  • Eir — goddess of healing and medicine.
  • Frigg — queen of the gods; goddess of marriage and motherhood.
  • Fulla — attendant and confidante of Frigg.
  • Gefjon — goddess linked to fertility and agriculture.
  • Gerðr — giantess who becomes the wife of Freyr.
  • Gná — messenger of Frigg who travels between worlds.
  • Hlín — protective goddess who shields people from danger.
  • Iðunn — keeper of the apples of youth.
  • Ilmr — little-known goddess, possibly associated with fragrance or nature.
  • Irpa — obscure goddess possibly linked to fertility or battle.
  • Lofn — goddess who permits forbidden love.
  • Nanna — wife of Baldr; dies from grief after his death.
  • Njörun — obscure goddess, possibly linked to earth or love.
  • Rán — sea goddess who collects the drowned in her net.
  • Rindr — mother of Váli.
  • Sága — goddess connected with storytelling and memory.
  • Sif — wife of Thor, known for her golden hair.
  • Sigyn — loyal wife of Loki who comforts him during punishment.
  • Sjöfn — goddess associated with affection and love.
  • Skaði — winter and hunting goddess; daughter of a giant.
  • Snotra — goddess of wisdom and proper conduct.
  • Sól — personification of the sun.
  • Syn — goddess of defense and refusal.
  • Þorgerðr Hölgabrúðr — protective goddess worshipped in regional cults.
  • Þrúðr — daughter of Thor; associated with strength.
  • Vár — goddess who witnesses vows and agreements.
  • Vör — goddess of awareness and careful observation.

Vanir (Fertility and Prosperity Gods)

  • Freyja — goddess of love, fertility, magic, and battle.
  • Freyr (Ingunar-Freyr / Yngvi) — god of fertility, prosperity, and peace.
  • Gersemi — daughter of Freyja; associated with treasure.
  • Gullveig — mysterious figure linked to gold and seiðr magic.
  • Hnoss — daughter of Freyja; symbol of beauty and precious things.
  • Kvasir — being born from divine wisdom; source of poetic inspiration.
  • Njörðr — god of the sea, wealth, and seafaring.
  • Sister-wife of Njörðr — unnamed Vanir goddess; mother of Freyr and Freyja.

Jötnar (Giants)

  • Ægir — sea giant associated with the ocean and feasting.
  • Alvaldi — wealthy giant, father of Þjazi and others.
  • Angrboða — giantess and mother of Loki’s monstrous children.
  • Aurboða — giantess, mother of Gerðr.
  • Baugi — giant involved in Odin’s quest for the mead of poetry.
  • Beli — giant slain by Freyr.
  • Bergelmir — giant who survives the primordial flood.
  • Bestla — mother of Odin.
  • Bölþorn — giant, grandfather of Odin.
  • Býleistr — brother of Loki.
  • Eggþér — giant associated with Ragnarök omens.
  • Fárbauti — father of Loki.
  • Fjölvar — giant appearing in mythic poetry.
  • Fornjót — primordial giant linked to natural forces.
  • Gangr — giant mentioned in heroic lore.
  • Geirröðr — giant opposed by Thor.
  • Gillingr — giant killed during the mead of poetry myth.
  • Gjálp and Greip — giantesses who attack Thor.
  • Gríðr — giantess who aids Thor.
  • Gunnlöð — giantess guarding the mead of poetry.
  • Gymir — father of Gerðr.
  • Harðgreipr — giantess in heroic legend.
  • Helblindi — giant, sometimes named as Loki’s brother.
  • Helreginn — giant or dwarf smith figure.
  • Hljod — giantess connected to heroic births.
  • Hræsvelgr — giant in eagle form creating winds.
  • Hrímgerðr — sea giantess.
  • Hrímgrímnir — frost giant name.
  • Hrímnir — frost giant.
  • Hroðr — obscure giant figure.
  • Hrungnir — powerful giant defeated by Thor.
  • Hrymr — giant captain at Ragnarök.
  • Hymir — sea giant associated with Thor’s fishing myth.
  • Hyrrokkin — giantess who launches Baldr’s ship.
  • Iði — giant, brother of Þjazi.
  • Ím — obscure giant figure.
  • Járnsaxa — giantess and mother of Magni.
  • Laufey — mother of Loki.
  • Leikn — giantess.
  • Litr — dwarf or giant killed at Baldr’s funeral.
  • Logi — fire giant representing wildfire.
  • Mögþrasir — ancient giant associated with world-age myths.
  • Narfi (father of Nótt) — giant, father of Night.
  • Sökkmímir — giant linked to hidden wisdom.
  • Surtr — fire giant who burns the world at Ragnarök.
  • Suttungr — giant owner of the mead of poetry.
  • Þjazi — giant who kidnaps Iðunn.
  • Þökk — giantess form used by Loki.
  • Þrívaldi — giant, father of powerful sons.
  • Þrúðgelmir — early frost giant.
  • Þrymr — giant who steals Thor’s hammer.
  • Útgarða-Loki — giant ruler who deceives Thor.
  • Vafþrúðnir — wise giant who contests Odin.
  • Víðblindi — giant mentioned in poetic sources.
  • Vosud — giant figure.
  • Vörnir — giant figure.
  • Ymir — primordial giant from whom the world is made.

Dwarfs

  • Alvíss — wise dwarf turned to stone by sunlight.
  • Andvari — dwarf whose cursed gold causes tragedy.
  • Austri, Vestri, Norðri and Suðri — dwarfs holding up the sky’s corners.
  • Billingr — dwarf or being in poetic myths.
  • Brokkr — dwarf smith who forges divine treasures.
  • Dáinn — dwarf associated with craftsmanship.
  • Durinn — ancestral dwarf in creation myths.
  • Dúrnir — dwarf mentioned in poetic lists.
  • Dvalinn — famous dwarf smith and leader.
  • Eitri — dwarf smith, brother of Brokkr.
  • Fáfnir — dwarf transformed into a dragon by greed.
  • Fjalar and Galar — dwarfs who kill Kvasir to create the mead of poetry.
  • Gandalf — dwarf listed in mythological catalogs.
  • Hreiðmarr — dwarf father of Fáfnir and Regin.
  • Litr — dwarf killed during Baldr’s funeral rites.
  • Mótsognir — first and greatest of dwarfs.
  • Ótr — dwarf who can transform into an otter.
  • Regin — dwarf smith and foster-father of Sigurd.
  • Sons of Ivaldi — legendary dwarf craftsmen who create divine artifacts.

Other Beings and Figures

  • Ask and Embla — first human man and woman.
  • Auðr — figure associated with prosperity or lineage.
  • Auðumbla — primeval cow who nourishes the first beings.
  • Aurvandill — heroic or celestial figure.
  • Beyla — servant associated with Freyr.
  • Borr — father of Odin.
  • Búri — first of the gods, licked from ice by Auðumbla.
  • Byggvir — servant of Freyr linked to agriculture.
  • Dísir / Landdísir — female guardian spirits.
  • Dragons — serpentine monsters in myth.
  • Draugs — undead spirits or revenants.
  • Einherjar — warriors chosen by Odin for Valhalla.
  • Eldir — servant of Ægir.
  • Elves (Dökkálfar, Ljósálfar, Svartálfar) — supernatural beings linked to nature and magic.
  • Fimafeng — servant of Ægir killed by Loki.
  • Fjalar (rooster) — prophetic rooster of Ragnarök.
  • Fenrir — monstrous wolf, son of Loki.
  • Fjörgyn and Fjörgynn — earth-related deities or ancestral figures.
  • Fylgja — spirit companion tied to a person’s fate.
  • Garmr — monstrous hound guarding Hel.
  • Gullinbursti — golden boar of Freyr.
  • Hati Hróðvitnisson — wolf who chases the moon.
  • Hel — ruler of the underworld of the same name.
  • Hildisvíni — battle boar of Freyja.
  • Hjúki — boy associated with the moon myth.

Horses of the Gods

  • Árvakr and Alsviðr — horses that pull the sun’s chariot.
  • Blóðughófi — Freyr’s horse.
  • Falhófnir, Gísl, Glaðr, Glær, Glenr — mythic divine horses.
  • Grani — horse of the hero Sigurd.
  • Gullfaxi — giant’s horse later given to Magni.
  • Gulltoppr — Heimdall’s horse.
  • Gyllir — divine horse mentioned in poetic lists.
  • Hamskerpir and Garðrofa — mythic horses.
  • Hófvarpnir — horse of Gná.
  • Skinfaxi and Hrímfaxi — horses of Day and Night.
  • Sleipnir — Odin’s eight-legged horse.
  • Svaðilfari — stallion father of Sleipnir.

Other Notable Figures

  • Jörð — personification of the earth; mother of Thor.
  • Jörmungandr — world serpent encircling Midgard.
  • Líf and Lífthrasir — humans who survive Ragnarök.
  • Loddfáfnir — figure receiving Odin’s wisdom teachings.
  • Móðguðr — guardian of the bridge to Hel.
  • Nine Daughters of Ægir and Rán — personifications of ocean waves.
  • Nine Mothers of Heimdallr — mysterious maternal figures of Heimdall.
  • Narfi (son of Loki) — son transformed during Loki’s punishment.
  • Níðhöggr — dragon gnawing at the roots of Yggdrasil.
  • Norns (Urðr, Verðandi, Skuld) — fate-weaving beings of past, present, and future.

Personifications

  • Dagr — personification of Day.
  • Elli — personification of old age.
  • Nótt — personification of Night.
  • Sumarr and Vetr — personifications of summer and winter.

Miscellaneous

  • Vörðr — guardian spirit associated with individuals or places.
  • Sæhrímnir — ever-renewing boar eaten in Valhalla.
  • Skírnir — servant and messenger of Freyr.
  • Sköll — wolf chasing the sun.
  • Shield-maidens — female warriors of legend.
  • Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr — Thor’s goats pulling his chariot.
  • Troll — large supernatural being of folklore.
  • Þjálfi and Röskva — human servants of Thor.
  • Vættir / Landvættir — nature spirits tied to the land.
  • Váli (son of Loki) — son transformed into a wolf in Loki’s punishment.
  • Valkyries — female beings choosing the slain in battle.
  • Völundr — legendary smith and hero.

Places (Cosmology)

Underworld

  • Hel — the realm of the dead ruled by the goddess Hel.
  • Éljúðnir — the hall of Hel within the underworld.
  • Gjallarbrú — the bridge leading to Hel, guarded by Móðguðr.
  • Náströnd — “Corpse Shore,” a place of punishment for oath-breakers and murderers.
  • Niflhel — the deepest and darkest region of the underworld.
  • Niðafjöll — dark mountains associated with the underworld and dwarfs.

Rivers

  • Élivágar — primordial rivers formed from melting ice at creation.
  • Gjöll — river flowing near the realm of Hel.
  • Ífingr — river separating Asgard from Jötunheimr.
  • Kerlaugar — three rivers crossed by Thor daily.
  • Körmt and Örmt — rivers Thor wades through to reach judgment places.
  • Slidr River — dangerous river flowing through Náströnd.
  • Vadgelmir — river associated with punishment in the underworld.
  • Vimur River — powerful river crossed by Thor.

Other Locations

  • Asgard — realm of the Æsir gods.
  • Amsvartnir — lake where the wolf Fenrir is bound.
  • Andlang — heavenly realm said to survive Ragnarök.
  • Barri — sacred grove where Freyr and Gerðr meet.
  • Bifröst — rainbow bridge connecting Midgard and Asgard.
  • Bilskirnir — Thor’s great hall in Þrúðvangr.
  • Brávellir — legendary battlefield in heroic tradition.
  • Breidablik — hall of Baldr, known for purity and beauty.
  • Brimir — hall mentioned as a post-Ragnarök dwelling.
  • Fensalir — hall of Frigg.
  • Fólkvangr — field ruled by Freyja where half the slain go.
  • Fornsigtuna — legendary ancient settlement of the gods.
  • Fyrisvellir — legendary plains associated with battles.
  • Gálgviðr — forest linked to Ragnarök omens.
  • Gandvik — mythical northern sea.
  • Gastropnir — hall or mountain of the giant Menglöð.
  • Gimlé — shining hall where the righteous live after Ragnarök.
  • Ginnungagap — primordial void existing before creation.
  • Glaðsheimr — hall of the Æsir in Asgard.
  • Glæsisvellir — mythical land of long life or immortality.
  • Glitnir — hall of Forseti where disputes are settled.
  • Gnipahellir — cave where the hound Garmr is bound.
  • Grove of Fetters — place where Fenrir is restrained.
  • Heiðr — obscure mythological location or name.
  • Himinbjörg — Heimdall’s dwelling at the edge of heaven.
  • Hindarfjall — mountain where Brynhild sleeps.
  • Hlidskjalf — Odin’s high seat from which he sees all worlds.
  • Hnitbjorg — mountain where the mead of poetry is hidden.
  • Hoddmímis holt — forest where humans survive Ragnarök.
  • Iðavöllr — plain where the gods meet and rebuild after Ragnarök.
  • Járnviðr — “Ironwood,” forest of giantesses.
  • Jötunheimr — realm of the giants.
  • Mímameiðr — cosmic tree associated with wisdom.
  • Myrkviðr — dark forest separating lands or worlds.
  • Munarvágr — bay mentioned in poetic sources.
  • Nóatún — home of Njörðr by the sea.
  • Okolnir — peaceful hall mentioned after Ragnarök.
  • Sessrúmnir — Freyja’s hall in Fólkvangr.
  • Sindri — golden hall for righteous beings after Ragnarök.
  • Singasteinn — place where Loki and Heimdall fight.
  • Þrúðheimr — realm associated with Thor.
  • Þrúðvangr — region where Thor’s hall stands.
  • Þrymheimr — mountain home of Skaði.
  • Uppsala — historic cult center associated with Norse worship.
  • Útgarðar — outer stronghold of giants.
  • Valaskjálf — Odin’s hall containing Hlidskjalf.
  • Valhalla — hall where slain warriors feast with Odin.
  • Vanaheimr — realm of the Vanir gods.
  • Víðbláinn — highest heaven in some cosmologies.
  • Vígríðr — battlefield of Ragnarök.
  • Vingólf — hall associated with goddesses or the blessed dead.

Wells

  • Hvergelmir — primal spring beneath Yggdrasil from which rivers flow.
  • Mímisbrunnr — well of wisdom guarded by Mímir.
  • Urðarbrunnr — well of fate tended by the Norns.
  • Ýdalir — valley of the god Ullr.
  • Yggdrasil — the great world tree connecting all realms.

Events

  • Æsir–Vanir War — mythic war between the two groups of gods ending in truce.
  • Fimbulvetr — great winter preceding Ragnarök.
  • Fróði’s Peace — legendary era of peace and prosperity.
  • Hjaðningavíg — eternal battle between rival warriors.
  • Ragnarök — cataclysmic end and renewal of the world.

Other Concepts and Cultural Elements

  • Death — central theme in Norse cosmology and heroic belief.
  • Ergi — concept of dishonor or unmanliness in Old Norse culture.
  • Félag — partnership or sworn companionship.
  • Galdr — magical chants or incantations.
  • Goði — priest or chieftain with religious authority.
  • Hamingja — personal luck or spiritual fortune.
  • Heiti — poetic synonym used in skaldic poetry.
  • Kenning — metaphorical compound expression in Norse poetry.
  • Mead hall — communal hall central to social and heroic life.
  • Nīþ — insult or act bringing deep dishonor.
  • Numbers — symbolic numerical significance in myth.
  • Philosophy — worldview reflected in myth and heroic ethics.
  • Rings — symbols of wealth, loyalty, and oath-giving.
  • Runes — sacred writing system used for magic and communication.
  • Seiðr — form of Norse magic associated with prophecy and fate.
  • Skald — poet and historian in Norse courts.
  • Viking Age — historical period of Scandinavian expansion (c. 793–1066).
  • Völva — seeress practicing prophecy and magic.