The Norse Gods are the mythological characters that, as far as we know, came from the Northern Germanic tribes of the 9th century AD. These stories were passed down in the form of poetry until the 11th – 18th centuries when the Eddas and other texts were written.

Norse mythology comprises the pre-Christian beliefs and legends of the Scandinavian peoples including those who settled on Iceland where most of the written sources for Norse mythology were assembled. Many of these sources however are said to be tainted by the Christian bias of the writers.

The myths presented on this website were derived from the works of Snorri Sturluson an Icelandic historian, poet, and politician (1179 – 1241). They are “said” to be the least biased writings of the lot. Sturluson’s works have been translated many times over and in many languages. The Myths on this site are largely based on the translations of Snorri Sturluson’s work by Kevin Crossley-Holland an English translator, children’s author and poet.

Norse mythology not only has it’s gods, goddesses and immortals but also a myriad of other characters and creatures that populate the stories including giants, dwarfs, monsters, magical animals and objects.

A List of The Norse Gods

Mythological Realms of The Norse Gods

The Norse Myths



A List of The Norse Gods

Aegir – Norse God of the sea. Married to Ran and lives under the waves near the island of Hlesey.

– Norse God of the sea. Married to Ran and lives under the waves near the island of Hlesey. Aesir – A group of warrior gods led by Odin who inhabit Asgard.

– A group of warrior gods led by Odin who inhabit Asgard. Balder – Son of Odin and Frigg. Known as a gentle and wise god. Killed accidentally by his brother Hod. Will return after Ragnarok.

– Son of Odin and Frigg. Known as a gentle and wise god. Killed accidentally by his brother Hod. Will return after Ragnarok. Bolverk – The alias Odin adopted when disguised as a giant to win the mead of poetry.

– The alias Odin adopted when disguised as a giant to win the mead of poetry. Bor – Son of Buri and father of Odin, Vili and Ve.

– Son of Buri and father of Odin, Vili and Ve. Bragi – The Norse God of poetry and eloquence. Son of Odin and husband of Idun.

– The Norse God of poetry and eloquence. Son of Odin and husband of Idun. Buri – Ancestor of the Norse gods. Created by the cow Audmula licking him from ice.

– Ancestor of the Norse gods. Created by the cow Audmula licking him from ice. Day – Son of Night and Delling. Said to ride around the earth on his horse Skinfaxi.

– Son of Night and Delling. Said to ride around the earth on his horse Skinfaxi. Earth – Daughter of Night and Annar.

– Daughter of Night and Annar. Einherjar – Band of dead warriors in Valhalla who await Ragnarok.

– Band of dead warriors in Valhalla who await Ragnarok. Eir – Goddess of healing

– Goddess of healing Fjorgyn – Lover of Odin and mother of Thor. Also referred to as Earth.

– Lover of Odin and mother of Thor. Also referred to as Earth. Forseti – God of Justice. Son of Balder and Nanna.

– God of Justice. Son of Balder and Nanna. Freyja – Main goddess of the Vanir (fertility gods). Daughter of Njord and sister of Freyr.

– Main goddess of the Vanir (fertility gods). Daughter of Njord and sister of Freyr. Freyr – Important god of the Vanir. Son of Njord and brother of Freyja.

– Important god of the Vanir. Son of Njord and brother of Freyja. Frigga – Main goddess. Wife of Odin and mother of Balder.

– Main goddess. Wife of Odin and mother of Balder. Fulla – Goddess servant of Frigga.

– Goddess servant of Frigga. Gangnrad – Pseudonym of Odin when he visits Vafthrudnir.

– Pseudonym of Odin when he visits Vafthrudnir. Gefion – Fertility goddess. Associated with the plow. Tricked the king of Sweden out of a tract of his land.

– Fertility goddess. Associated with the plow. Tricked the king of Sweden out of a tract of his land. Grimnir – Pseudonym of Odin when he visits his foster son Geirrod, King of the Goths.

– Pseudonym of Odin when he visits his foster son Geirrod, King of the Goths. Gullveig – A Vanir goddess (probably Freyja) who is burned three times by the Aesir.

– A Vanir goddess (probably Freyja) who is burned three times by the Aesir. Harbard – Odin disguised as a ferryman when he wrangles with Thor.

– Odin disguised as a ferryman when he wrangles with Thor. Heimdall – Watchman of the Norse gods and owner of the horn Gjall. Son of nine mothers. Often identified with Rig, the creator of three races of men.

– Watchman of the Norse gods and owner of the horn Gjall. Son of nine mothers. Often identified with Rig, the creator of three races of men. Hel – ruler of Helheim, the realm of the dead

– ruler of Helheim, the realm of the dead Hermod – Son of Odin. Rode to Hel to try and rescue his brother Balder.

– Son of Odin. Rode to Hel to try and rescue his brother Balder. Hod – Son of Odin. A blind god who accidentally killed his brother Balder. he will return after Ragnarok.

– Son of Odin. A blind god who accidentally killed his brother Balder. he will return after Ragnarok. Honir – A long-legged, indecisive god. Sent to the Vanir to seal the truce between them and the Aesir. He will survive Ragnarok.

– A long-legged, indecisive god. Sent to the Vanir to seal the truce between them and the Aesir. He will survive Ragnarok. Idun – Guardian of the golden apples of youth and wife of Bragi.

– Guardian of the golden apples of youth and wife of Bragi. Kvasir – the wisest. Created from the spittle of the gods.

– the wisest. Created from the spittle of the gods. Lofn – Goddess of ilicit unions.

– Goddess of ilicit unions. Loki – The sly, trickster of the Norse gods. Son of two giants. Also known as the Sly One, the Trickster, the Shape Changer and the Sky Traveller. Becomes increasingly more evil. He is responsible for the death of Balder. Bound until Ragnarok.

– The sly, trickster of the Norse gods. Son of two giants. Also known as the Sly One, the Trickster, the Shape Changer and the Sky Traveller. Becomes increasingly more evil. He is responsible for the death of Balder. Bound until Ragnarok. Magni – Son of Thor and the giantess Jarnsaxa. Will inherit Thor’s hammer Mjollnir with his brother Modi after Ragnarok.

– Son of Thor and the giantess Jarnsaxa. Will inherit Thor’s hammer Mjollnir with his brother Modi after Ragnarok. Mimir – Wise Aesir god. Sent to the Vanir to seal the truce between the two groups of the Norse gods. Killed by the Vanir, his head is kept by Odin.

– Wise Aesir god. Sent to the Vanir to seal the truce between the two groups of the Norse gods. Killed by the Vanir, his head is kept by Odin. Modgud – Maiden guardian of the bridge over the river Gjoll in Jotenheim.

– Maiden guardian of the bridge over the river Gjoll in Jotenheim. Modi – Son of Thor and the giantess Jarnsaxa. Will inherit Thor’s hammer Mjollnir with his brother Magni after Ragnarok.

– Son of Thor and the giantess Jarnsaxa. Will inherit Thor’s hammer Mjollnir with his brother Magni after Ragnarok. Moon – Son of Mundilfari. Guides the moon on it’s course.

– Son of Mundilfari. Guides the moon on it’s course. Nanna – Wife of Balder and daughter of Nep.

– Wife of Balder and daughter of Nep. Narvi – Also known as Nari. Son of Loki and Sigyn who was killed by his brother Vali.

– Also known as Nari. Son of Loki and Sigyn who was killed by his brother Vali. Night – Daughter of Narvi and mother of Day. Rides around the earth on her horse Hrimfaxi.

– Daughter of Narvi and mother of Day. Rides around the earth on her horse Hrimfaxi. Njord – A Vanir god associated with wind and sea. Husband of Skadi and father of Freyja and Freyr.

– A Vanir god associated with wind and sea. Husband of Skadi and father of Freyja and Freyr. Norns – Urd “fate”, Skuld “being” and Verandi “necessity”. Three goddesses of destiny.

– Urd “fate”, Skuld “being” and Verandi “necessity”. Three goddesses of destiny. Od – Missing husband of Freyja who she constantly mourns for.

– Missing husband of Freyja who she constantly mourns for. Odin – King of the Norse Gods, God of poetry, battle and death. Chief god of the Aesir. Also known as the “all-father”, the “terrible one”, “one-eyed” and “father of battle”.

– King of the Norse Gods, God of poetry, battle and death. Chief god of the Aesir. Also known as the “all-father”, the “terrible one”, “one-eyed” and “father of battle”. Ran – Wife of Aegir who dragged drowning men down with her net.

– Wife of Aegir who dragged drowning men down with her net. Rig – Pseudonym of Heimdall and the creator of three races of men.

– Pseudonym of Heimdall and the creator of three races of men. Rind – Goddess and lover of Odin. Mother of Vali.

– Goddess and lover of Odin. Mother of Vali. Saga – Goddess and drinking companion of Odin.

– Goddess and drinking companion of Odin. Sif – Wife of Thor whose golden hair was cut off by Loki.

– Wife of Thor whose golden hair was cut off by Loki. Sigyn – Wife of Loki.

– Wife of Loki. Sjofn – Goddess of human passion.

– Goddess of human passion. Skadi – Goddess of Winter and of the Hunt

– Goddess of Winter and of the Hunt Sun – Daughter of Mundilfari and guide of the sun.

– Daughter of Mundilfari and guide of the sun. Syn – Goddess of the accused at trial.

– Goddess of the accused at trial. Thor – God of Sky, thunder and fertility. Associated with law and order in Asgard and guardian of the Norse gods. Son of Odin and Earth and husband of Sif. Also known as the “thunder god” and “charioteer”.

– God of Sky, thunder and fertility. Associated with law and order in Asgard and guardian of the Norse gods. Son of Odin and Earth and husband of Sif. Also known as the “thunder god” and “charioteer”. Thrud – Daughter of Thor. Promised to the dwarf Alvis.

– Daughter of Thor. Promised to the dwarf Alvis. Tyr – War god. Son of Odin who sacrificed his hand in the binding of Fenrir.

– War god. Son of Odin who sacrificed his hand in the binding of Fenrir. Ull – God of archery and skiing.

– God of archery and skiing. Vali – Son of Odin and the giantess Rind. Conceived to avenge the death of Balder.

– Son of Odin and the giantess Rind. Conceived to avenge the death of Balder. Valkyries – Beautiful women who carried dying warriors to Valhalla.

– Beautiful women who carried dying warriors to Valhalla. Vanir – Fertility gods.

– Fertility gods. Var – Goddess of marriage oaths.

– Goddess of marriage oaths. Ve – Son of Bor and brother of Odin and Vili.

– Son of Bor and brother of Odin and Vili. Vidar – Son of Odin and the giantess Grid who will avenge Odin’s death after Ragnarok.

– Son of Odin and the giantess Grid who will avenge Odin’s death after Ragnarok. Vili – Son of Bor and brother of Odin and Ve.

– Son of Bor and brother of Odin and Ve. Vor – Goddess who knows all.

Mythological Realms of The Norse Gods

Alfheim – The land of the light elves in Asgard

– The land of the light elves in Asgard Algron – Island where Odin (Harbard) stayed for five years

– Island where Odin (Harbard) stayed for five years Asgard – Land of the Aesir

– Land of the Aesir Bilskirnir – Thor’s hall in Asgard

– Thor’s hall in Asgard Bifrost – The flaming rainbow bridge between Asgard and Midgard

– The flaming rainbow bridge between Asgard and Midgard Breidablik – Balder’s hall in Asgard

– Balder’s hall in Asgard Elivagar – The eleven rivers that flow from the spring of Hvergelmir in Niflheim.

– The eleven rivers that flow from the spring of Hvergelmir in Niflheim. Eljudnir – Hel’s hall in Nifleheim

– Hel’s hall in Nifleheim Fensalir – Frigg’s hall in Asgard

– Frigg’s hall in Asgard Folkvang – Site of Freyja’s hall in Asgard

– Site of Freyja’s hall in Asgard Franang’s Falls – Waterfall in Midgard where Loki, disguised as a salmon, was caught by the gods.

– Waterfall in Midgard where Loki, disguised as a salmon, was caught by the gods. Gimli – Hall of the gods after Ragnarok

– Hall of the gods after Ragnarok Ginnungagap – The void between Muspell and Nifleheim before the creation.

– The void between Muspell and Nifleheim before the creation. Gladsheim – Sanctuary of the Norse gods on the plain of Ida.

– Sanctuary of the Norse gods on the plain of Ida. Glitnir – Silver and gold hall of Forseti, son of Balder, in Asgard.

– Silver and gold hall of Forseti, son of Balder, in Asgard. Gnipahellir – Cave in front of Niflheim where the hound Garm is chained up.

– Cave in front of Niflheim where the hound Garm is chained up. Helheim – The realm of the dead in Niflheim, ruled over by the monster Hel.

– The realm of the dead in Niflheim, ruled over by the monster Hel. Himinbjorg – Heimdall’s hall in Asgard

– Heimdall’s hall in Asgard Hlesey – Island near the undersea hall of Aegir and Ran.

– Island near the undersea hall of Aegir and Ran. Hlidskjalf – Odin’s high thrown in Valaskjalf.

– Odin’s high thrown in Valaskjalf. Hnitbjorg – Stronghold of the giant Suttung.

– Stronghold of the giant Suttung. Hvergelmir – Spring in Niflheim under the root of Yggdrasill.

– Spring in Niflheim under the root of Yggdrasill. Idavoll – The central plain of Asgard. Contains the halls of Gladsheim and Vingolf.

– The central plain of Asgard. Contains the halls of Gladsheim and Vingolf. Iving – River dividing Asgard from Jotunheim

– River dividing Asgard from Jotunheim Jotunheim – Land of the giants

– Land of the giants Lyfjaberg – Mountain beside Menglad’s hall in Jotunheim.

– Mountain beside Menglad’s hall in Jotunheim. Lyngvi – Island on lake Armsvartnir where Fenrir is bound.

– Island on lake Armsvartnir where Fenrir is bound. Lyr – Menglad’s hall in Jotunheim

– Menglad’s hall in Jotunheim Midgard – The realm of mankind.

– The realm of mankind. Mimir’s Well – Well of wisdom under the root of Yggdrasill in Asgard which is guarded by the head of Mimir.

– Well of wisdom under the root of Yggdrasill in Asgard which is guarded by the head of Mimir. Muspell – Southern land of fire guarded by the giant Surt.

– Southern land of fire guarded by the giant Surt. Nastrond – Site of the hall of evil-does in Hel. The dragon Nidhogg gnaws at corpses here.

– Site of the hall of evil-does in Hel. The dragon Nidhogg gnaws at corpses here. Niflheim – Land of freezing mist and darkness and home of Hel.

– Land of freezing mist and darkness and home of Hel. Okolnir – Land of warmth created after Ragnarok. Site of the hall of Brimnir.

– Land of warmth created after Ragnarok. Site of the hall of Brimnir. Sessrumnir – Freyja’s hall in Asgard.

– Freyja’s hall in Asgard. Sindri – Red gold roofed hall which will appear after Ragnarok.

– Red gold roofed hall which will appear after Ragnarok. Sokkvabekk – Saga’s hall in Asgard

– Saga’s hall in Asgard Svartalfheim – Realm of the dark elves.

– Realm of the dark elves. Thrudheim – Thor’s realm in Asgard and site of his hall Bilskirnir.

– Thor’s realm in Asgard and site of his hall Bilskirnir. Thrymheim – Stronghold of the giant Thiazi which was passed on to his daughter Skadi.

– Stronghold of the giant Thiazi which was passed on to his daughter Skadi. Utgard – Realm in Jotunheim ruled by Utgard-Loki.

– Realm in Jotunheim ruled by Utgard-Loki. Valaskjalf – Odin’s hall in Asgard.

– Odin’s hall in Asgard. Valhalla – Hall presided over by Odin where the Einherjar await Ragnarok.

– Hall presided over by Odin where the Einherjar await Ragnarok. Vanaheim – Land of the Vanir in Asgard.

– Land of the Vanir in Asgard. Vigrid – Plain in Asgard where the final battle will occur.

– Plain in Asgard where the final battle will occur. Vingolf – Hall of the goddesses in Asgard.

– Hall of the goddesses in Asgard. Ydalir – Ull’s hall in Asgard.

– Ull’s hall in Asgard. Yggdrasill – The world tree (Hodmimir’s wood)

The Norse Myths

Many believe the Norse gods and the other mythological beings of ancient Scandanavia represent aspects of the self, our emotions and the many qualities that make up the psyche of the human self.