Norse mythology Flashcards
Æsir
Gods who live in Asgard; includes Odin, Baldr, Bragi, Forseti, Freyr, Thor, Tyr, Vili, Ve, and Vidar. Goddesses include Freya (originally part of the Vanir), Frigg, Sif, and Idun.
Aegir
The god of the sea; husband to sea goddess Ran; has 9 daughters called the billow maidens
Killed by Loki
Alaisiagae
Nordic war goddesses (see Valkryies)
Alberich
A dwarven king who guarded the Nibelung hoard and a powerful magician. Have Siegfried the sword Balmung and cloak that granted invisibility. Freya received Brisingamen along with Draupnir, Odins ring, and the magical sword Tyrfing.
Alfheim
Elf home, one of the nine worlds. Palace of Freyr and elves of light.
Alfhild
A maiden who dressed as a warrior to avoid being taken in marriage by King Alf. Only when they engaged in a fight to the death (almost), and he proved to be as strong as she, did she agree to mate with him.
Alfrodull
The sun, also named Sol. A chariot is driven by a girl was thought to be the sun; two horses named Arvak and Alsvid pulled the chariot. Because she was pursued by the wolf, Skoll, she drove very fast. Before the world ends, she will have a daughter, who will take her place when Skoll finally eats her. The sun gives off heat, and the horses’ manes give off light.
Alvis
A dwarf promised Thrud, Thors daughter, in exchange for forging weapons for the gods. Thor didn’t like this and devised a test of knowledge to stop the marriage. He told Alvis that he had to prove that his wisdom made up for his small stature. The test was prolonged until the sun rose, where Alvis was turned to stone.
Andhrimnir
The cook of the Aesir and the Einherjar. Every evening he slaughters the cosmic boar Sahrimnir and cooks it in his cauldron, Eldhrimnir. The boar is restored the same night. The milk that forms the Aesirs’ mead is provided by the goat Heidrun, which eats the world tree’s leaves
Andvaranaut
A ring that seeks out gold and owned by Andvari until Loki stole it. Andvari hexed the ring and it gave bad luck and pain to all who beheld it. Loki gave the ring to King Hreidmar of the dwarves, as reparation for the accidental murder of the King’s son. When Fafnir killed Hreidmar, he took the ring.
Basis for Wagner’s Ring cycle and the Hope Diamond.
Andvari
A dwarf who can assume the shape of a fish if pursued. Collects wealth with Andvaranaut. Caught by Loki with a net given by Ran, and gave up his gold. Loki took the ring as well, and Andvari cursed the gold to bring disaster to its owners. Gold used by gods to pay blood-debt for Hreidmar, the father of Fafnir, because they killed his son Otter.
Angrboda
A giantess and mistress of Loki. She spawned 3 monsters: Fenrir, Jormungandr, and Hel. The gods abducted the children from her hall when they learned how dangerous they were.
Asgard
One of 9 worlds. Walls built by Blast (or Hrimthurs) who asked for Freya, the sun, and the moon. Odin agreed if the walls were finished in 6 months. Hrimthurs had a magical horse named Svadilfari, who was beguiled by a transformed Loki. Job wasn’t completed in time, so no payment was given.
Houses Valhalla. In the middle of Asgard is Idavoll (or Ida) where the Aesir meet to decide important issues. The gods assemble in the hall of Gladsheim and the goddesses in the hall of Vingolf. The gods also meet daily at the Well of Urd, beneath the Asgard root of Yggdrasil.
Asgardreid
“Asgard’s chase.” The wild ride of Odin and Frigg. Especially active during dark, stormy Yule nights.
Ask and Embla
Originally logs of wood given humanoid shape by Odin, Ve, and Vili after the creation of the universe. Odin have them the spirit of life, Vili gave them sharp wit and feeling hearts, and Ve gave them senses, expressions, and speech. Progenitors of the human race who lived in Midgard
Astrild
Goddess of love
Asynjur
Name of goddesses in Asgard.
Atla
A water goddess and daughter of Ran
Audhumla
Primeval cow on whose milk the Giant Ymir fed. Created from the melting ice at the beginning of time. Sustained herself by licking the salt and hoar frost from the ice of Niflheim
Baldr
God of light, purity, beauty, innocence, and reconciliation. Son of Odin and Frigg and loved by everybody. Wife was Nanna, daughter of Nep, and their son was Forseti, the god of justice. Baldr’s hall was Breidablik (broad splendor). Dreamt about his death, so Frigg extracted oaths from everything in nature that he would not be harmed. Thinking him invincible, the gods played and used Baldur as a target for practice. Loki, jealous of Baldr, disguised himself and asked Frigg if there was anything to harm him. There was just one thing: mistletoe, because Frigg thought it was too small to make an oath. He tricked Baldr’s blind twin brother Hod into throwing a mistletoe dart at Baldr. It pierced Baldr’s heart, and he dropped dead.
Odin sent his son Hermod to Hel to plead for Baldur’s return, and she agreed under the condition that everything in the world must cry for him. Everything wept except Loki, who had disguised himself as the witch Thokk. Nanna died of grief, and they were sent out on a funeral pyre by the giantess Hyrrokin.
Hod was killed by Vali, and Loki was punished
