Mythologiest

Welcome, my mortal friends.

Ok... let's we continue our journey to the other world. Previously, I've talked about the Scandinavian mythology. Now, let me tell you a story about Scandinavian Gods.

According to Nordic mythology, there are three types of beings more powerful than man, namely: Æsir, Vanir and Jotun. Æsir and Vanir is very dense, because it is a faction of the gods. For the two are said to have made peace, exchanged hostages, intermarried and reigned together in human world after a prolonged war.

Enemies of the Æsir and Vanir, the Jotun, or giants. They are similar to Titan and the Giants of Greek mythology. Jotun word often translated as giants, although the word troll or devil more appropriate. Of the Jotun, or giants not necessarily evil. Æsir as the god of the Jotun disagreement, even the gods and Jotun has a relationship, married and father of another, such as Thor married Járnsaxa; brothers with Odin Loki, HEL (half Dewi giant half) brothers with Loki. In mythology, Jotun women are generally not evil (as in history, to help Thor Grid) and to marry the god (as in history, Thor Járnsaxa married).

Besides the gods and giants, Nordic mythology also mention a monter Jörmungandr (the sea serpent) and Fenrir (giant srigala) that can be found in the vicinity of Midgard. Two sample is declared as a child fruit Loki, the God of research problem, a descendant of Jotun. Hugin and Munin mythological creatures (which means "spirit" and "memory"), both a raven's guarding Odin.  Two wolfs Freki and Geri, etc
Selain Dewa dan raksasa, mitologi Nordik juga menyebutkan adanya Monster seperti Jörmungandr (Si ular laut) dan Fenrir (srigala raksasa) yang dapat ditemukan di sekitar Midgard. Dan makhluk mitologi lainnya seperti Hugin dan Munin (yang berarti “pikiran” dan “ingatan”), dua gagak yang menjaga Odin. Dua serigala yang bernama Freki dan Geri dll

According to the Scandinavian mythology, the universe created in a unique way. In the beginning was Muspell, the realm of fire. It is a place of dreadful light and heat. Only its natives, the Fire Giants, can tolerate its flames. Surt, a Fire Giant, guards Muspell's border, armed with a flaming sword. At the end of the era, at Ragnarok, Surt and his companions will destroy all the Gods and and their world with fire.Outside of Muspell lies an endless abyss. A places was a huge void called Ginnungagap. There was a southern place of heat, fire and lava called Muspelheim. And a northern place full of ice, cold and darkness called Nilfheilm. In Nilfheilm there was a spring called Hvergelmir from which sprang eleven venomous rivers called the Elivagar and this rivers flowed to Ginnugagap. Niflheim is actually a place that would later become the land of the dead, every human or even God itself who entered will not be able to get out again. This place is among the survivors after the events of Ragnarok.
The meeting of two very different climate from Niflheim and Muspellheim, make some Nilfheim's ice melt and form figure a frost giant and a cow. And so was born the first of two Divine Beings, that is a cow names Audumla and a giant named Ymir. He was born evil and all future frost giants would be as him. While he slept he sweated. The sweat from his armpit became a man and a woman and one of his legs another giant named Thrudgelmir. From the other leg and the three-headed monster, but there also said six-headed monster.

If Ymir get food from the milk of Audumla, then Audumla get food from the lick the salty ice rocks. Gradually as the ice melted by Audumla licked formed a human beings, then became the first God named Buri. Buri later became the father of the other major god, Bor. Bor married the woman from one of the giant frost race named Bestla, children of the frost-giant named Boltha. Bor and Bestla later became the parents of the three half giant-gods Odin, Vili, and Ve.


There is often a confrontation and hatred between a god and a giant. In the end, Odin and his two brothers killed Ymir. So much blood flowed from Ymir's body that turn into the sea and drowned the first human born from Ymir and all of the Frost-Giants except Bergelmir, son of Thrudgelmir, and his wife, who hide away in a hollowed tree and floats on a sea. Then, they escape to the mountain of Jotunheim, that would later become The Home of the Giants, or the home of new species of the giants.

Yggdrasil

They carried Ymir to the middle of Ginnungagap and created the world made the earth and sky from his bodies as foundation. The sea and lake was made from his blood, the earth from his body and the mountains from his bones. His skull became the cover of the sky which was set over the earth. His hairs and teeth became tress and rocks. Maggots appeared in Ymir's flesh became Dwarves. Ymir's brains were tossed into the air, and became clouds. Then sparks and burning embers from Muspell were placed in the middle of Ginnungagap to give light to Midgard. They named the stars and set their paths. Ymir's skeleton became the mountains of Midgard. His teeth and jaws became rocks and pebbles. Ymir's hair became trees. Odin see a maggots appeared in Ymir's flesh the he turned them became Dwarves and dark elves. His skull, held up by four dwarves (Nordri North, Sudri South, Austri East, and Vestri West), was used to create the sky and where the heaven was placed (asgard). Then using sparks from Muspelheim, the gods created the sun, moon and stars. While Ymir's brow were used to create a place where the human race could live in; a place called Midgard. And they created the first human, Ask and Embla, were created from logs. Some creatures living in the soil became the light elves, and were placed in the world known as Alfheim.
Mereka membawa Ymir ke tengah-tengah Ginnungagap dan membuat tubuhnya sebagai fondasi atas dunia dan langit. Dari darahnya mereka membuat laut dan danau. Tubuh Ymir dirubah menjadi tanah/bumi, tulang-tulangnya menjadi pegunungan, rambut dan giginya menjadi pohon dan batu. Odin melihat ada belatung yang memakan daging Ymir di tanah, lalu dia mengubah mereka menjadi dwarf dan dark elves. tengkoraknya yang dibawa oleh 4 kurcaci bernama Nordri (utara), Sudri (selatan), Austri (timur), dan Vestri (barat) digantung di udara dan diubah menjadi langit dan dimana surga ditempatkan (asgard),dan Otaknya menjadi awan. Percikan api dari Muspelheim digunakan para dewa untuk membuat matahari,bulan,dan bintang. Kening Ymir dipakai untuk menciptakan tempat tinggal untuk umat manusia, tempat yang disebut Midgard. Lalu mereka menciptakan sepasang manusia dari pohon, Ask dan Embla. dan para dewa menggunakan langit sebagai tempat tinggal. Binatang lain yang hidup dari dalam tanah, diubahnya menjadi light elves yang ditempatkan berbeda di Alfheim 

Form that creation, Odin and his two brother created the 9 realms. A great ash tree called Yggdrasill ("World Tree") supported the universe, with roots that connects the nine worlds together; to Muspelheim ("world of fire"), to Niflheim (the "world of cold"), Asgard ( Home for of Æsir),Vanaheim (home for of Vanir), Jotunheim (Home of Giants), Midgard (Home of human),Alfheim(home of Light Elf/ljósálfar), Svatalfheim(home of Black elf), Nidavellir (home of dwarf).

Urd, Verdandi and Wyrd

Besides the three roots of Yggdrasill were three wells. The first well is the holly Urdarbrunnr. Guarded by The Norns or the Goddess of Fate named Wyrd(Past),Verdandi(Present) and Skuld(Futur". Two swans drink from this well.

The second well was Mнmisbrunnr (Mimisbrunnr) or the "Well of Mimir", which was also known as the "Well of Knowledge". The well was said to be guarded by the Aesir god named Mimir. Before Odin became all-fathered of God, the young Odin sacrificed his right eye thrown into the well of Mimir instead, Odin get the privilege to drink from Well of Wisdom which he gain all of knowledge.
 Sumur kedua bernama Mimisbrunnr atau Well of Mimir, yang dikenal sebagai Well of Knowledge, yang dimana sumur ini dijaga oleh dewa Kebijaksanaan bernama Mimir, Norse God of Wisdom. Sebelum Odin menjadi Bapak segala dewa, Odin muda mengorbankan mata kanannya untuk dilemparkan ke sumur Mimir sebagai gantinya, Odin mendapatkan keistimewaan untuk meminum dari Well of Wisdom dimana dia memperoleh semua pengetahuan.
The third well was called Hvergelmir, where a giant serpent called Nidhogg, continuously gnaw at the root of Yggdrasil. Eventually, Nidhogg will eat its way through the root that will cause Yggdrasill to collapse. If Yggdrasil is colaps that the sign for Ragnarok has come. Apart from Nidhogg, there were countless snakes that eating Yggdrasil top branches. named of Dain, Dvalin,Duneyr,and Durathror.

Odin with Sleipnir, Freki and Geri

Each day, the Aesir sit at the court at the Wells. Horses take the Aesir to this court. Odin rides Sleipnir. Ten other horses were given names: Glad, Gyllir, Glжr, Skeidbrimir, Silfrtopp, Sinir, Gils, Falhofnir, Gulltopp (belonging to Heimdall) and Lettfet.  Apart from Sleipnir and Gulltopp, no specific horses were assigned to a particular god. The Aesir must ride across Bifrost (Rainbow Bridge) to reach Weird's Well.

Perched on one of the branches was a great eagle, wise beyond its years. A hawk, called Vedrfolnir. Not only that. A squirrel called Ratatosk seemed to enjoy running up and down the great ash tree, delivering malicious messages between the eagle from above and Nidhogg below.  
Disalah satu cabang bertengger seekor elang perkasa, yang bijak melampaui umurnya bernama Vedrfolnir. Bukan hanya itu, seekor tupai bernama Ratatosk juga berlarian di Yggdrasil, membawa pesan jahat antara Nidhogg di bawah dan elang di atas.

The God and Goddess

Aesir, the gods of warrior class [warrior gods] who lived in Asgard, and the Vanir [fertility gods], god of the more ancient group, which is described more beautiful and wise and has a magical ability. They are caring, giving rain and fertility (in some versions, the elves who live in Alfheim (elf-world) is descendant from them). Before the war, the Vanir never set foot in Asgard, or even do not know about the existence of the Aesir.  
Aesir, golongan dewa-dewa pejuang [Dewa Perang] yang tinggal di Asgard, dan Vanir [Dewa kesuburan], golongan dewa yang lebih kuno, yang digambarkan lebih indah dan bijaksana dan memiliki kemampuan sihir. Mereka suka merawat, memberikan hujan dan kesuburan (dalam beberapa versi disebutkan, para elves yang tinggal di Alfheim (elf-world) adalah turunan dari mereka). Sebelum perang, para Vanir tidak pernah menginjakan kakinya di Asgard, atau bahkan tidak mengetahui keberadaan para Aesir.

One day, a beautiful Vanir, Gullweig, came to Asgard as representation from Vanir. Aesir welcomed her. However, when she see the magnificent of Asgard and contain with gold, Gullweig which has a huge interest with gold, it was all she talked about gold continuously until it begins to harass the emotions of the Aesir and were tiring of hearing her incessant chatter about gold. Odin get angry, and the Aesir gods bound Gullveig in Odin's hall and pierced her with Odin's spears, Gungnir to Gullweig. Then they throw Gullweig into the fire. Three times they burned Gullveig in a magical fire, but each time she was reborn. More fascinating and more beautiful than before. Then she named Heid or Heidr (Dazzling/Glowing). Gullweig then cast a spell wherever she run in Asgard with her magic. Odin then assume that the Vanir are dangerous and needs to be taught a lesson.


When she come back to Vanaheimr. Gullweig tell abuses that she received from the Aesir to the Vanir. The Vanir demanded reparations and requested equal status to the Aesir from Aesir for torturing one of their own, but rejected by the Aesir are already preparing for war. They fought in Vanaheimr until the two sides are exhausted, with an almost equal number of victims.


This war lasted for 10 years. There are several versions about who won the war. Some say; the war was won by the Aesir who superior in physical strength. But there also said Vanir is winning the battle for their expertise in magic. Some says, the battle was draw. Whatever the outcome, leader of Vanir, Norj, and leader of Aesir, Odin, decided to cease fire and negotiate together. Finally they agreed to hold a permanent peace between them by way of exchange of the gods who are considered the most valuable for each of them as a symbol of peace. To close the peace, the Aesir and Vanir then spit it into the jar. From their saliva, born Kvasir, the wisest among all the wise. Spitting into the jar is the nation's Norse tradition when making agreements

As the agreement, Odin sent his brother Vili (Hoenir) who claimed to be the smartest in the Aesir gods and his friend, the wise Mimir to live among the Vanir in Vanaheimr. While from Vanir sent their precious Njord among his twins, Freyr and Freya to Asgard to live with Aesir. Initially the Vanir are very excited by the presence of a dashing and smart Hoenir, and immediately picked it as one of their leaders. But over time, they soon realized that Hoenir can not / not capable of taking decisions without consulting with Mimir. The Vanir felt he had cheated the Aesir, but they did not dare to injure brothers of Odin, so they cut off Mimir's head and sent him back to Asgard. Odin immediately use its power to keep his friend Mimir alive although only a head. In the spring, Odin took the head of Mimir at the foot of the sacred tree Yggdrasil and put it over  in the second well was then known as the Mimir's Well. Odin regularly visited  Mimirto seek wisdom  
Sesuai perjanjian, Odin mengirim saudaranya Hoenir yang diklaim sebagai dewa paling pintar di Aesir dan sahabatnya, Mimir yang bijaksana untuk hidup diantara para Vanir di Vanaheimr. Sedangkan dari Vanir mengirimkan Njord bersama anak kembarnya Freyr dan Freya yang paling berharga bagi mereka untuk dikirim ke Asgard hidup bersama para Aesir. Awalnya para Vanir sangat gembira dengan kehadiran Hoenir yang gagah dan pintar dan segera mengangkatnya sebagai salah satu pemimpin mereka. Tapi seiring dengan waktu, mereka kemudian sadar bahwa Hoenir tidak bisa / tidak mampu mengambil keputusan tanpa berkonsultasi dulu dengan Mimir. Para Vanir merasa telah ditipu para Aesir, namun mereka tidak berani melukai saudara Odin, jadi mereka memenggal kepala Mimir dan mengirimnya kembali ke Asgard. Odin dengan segera menggunakan kekuatannya untuk tetap membuat Mimir sahabatnya hidup walaupun hanya tinggal kepala. Pada musim semi, Odin membawa kepala Mimir di kaki pohon suci Yggdrasil dan meletakannya diatas mata air/sumur yang kemudian dikenal sebagai Sumur Mimir’s . Odin secara rutin mengunjungi Mimir untuk mencari kebijaksanaan