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Scandinavian mythology includes myths and folktales from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and other regions. It influenced neighboring Slavic mythology and was influenced by Greco-Roman traditions. Surviving texts were written by Christians, potentially with bias. The cosmos is divided into realms, with Midgard being the human realm. The pantheon of gods was headed by Odin and included Loki, Tyr, Freya, Baldr, and Heimdall. Ragnarok is central to the mythology, where all major gods will be killed in battle. Scandinavians worshiped their deities through sacred places, ancestor worship, and food and animal sacrifices.
Scandinavian mythology is a term for the myths and folktales collected in the Scandinavian region. While strictly limited to Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, the mythology expands to include Germany, the Netherlands, Anglo-Saxon England, and Norse colonies such as Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland. It influenced neighboring Slavic mythology and in turn was influenced by the Greco-Roman traditions of the south and west. Mythology has been popularized in modern culture by JRR Tolkien, films like “The 13th Warrior” and “Beowulf”.
The vast majority of surviving texts from Scandinavian mythology were written by Christians during or shortly after the mass conversion of Scandinavian societies to Christianity. This means that there is potential for bias and a mythology slant so that Scandinavian mythology and Christianity appear similar. Other information has been presented on the mythology by pagan writers such as Tacitus.
In Scandinavian mythology, the cosmos is divided into a number of realms. These realms are centered around Midgard, the human realm, better known in English as “Middle-earth”. Above and below this were the realms of Gods, monsters and supernatural creatures and the realms of Hel below. Asgard was the main realm of the Aesir gods and was reached by a rainbow bridge called the Bifrost. Each god has his hall populated by human souls.
Much of Scandinavian mythology has focused on gods and goddesses. They are similarly structured and influenced by classical pantheons such as the Romans and the Greeks. Indeed, Tacitus drew parallels between the two in his studies of the Germans. Odin headed the pantheon, while Loki played the trickster. Other gods included Tyr, Freya, Baldr and Heimdall.
Gods and other supernatural beings such as giants, or Jotuns, elves and dwarves were doomed to fight one last battle known as Ragnarok. Ragnarok is central to the cosmology of Scandinavian mythology because all tales lead up to it. The battle is signaled by the arrival of a ship made of nails and, during the fight, each god will face an opponent. All major gods will be killed in the battle. The Gods will be protected by armies of souls chosen from their halls known as Einherjar.
Scandinavians worshiped their deities in several ways. Like the Celts and Slavs, they made use of sacred places, special trees and groves, and piles of stones. They also participated in ancestor worship and festivals. They also made food and animal sacrifices to the gods to do business. The scrub ritual was one of the most important elements of Scandinavian mythology.
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