Norse Mythology
by Takaskyn
24 March 2018
1. Creation of the Universe
In the beginning was Ginnungagap (seeming emptiness). Ginnungagap was vast place, that went on in all direction. It contained room for billions of universes. There was no up or down, no light or darkness, and no north, south, east or west. Only endless space.
No one knows the secret of creation of how something came from nothing, but two worlds came into existence. These were Muspellheim and Hiflheim.
Muspellheim – the land of fire was the home of the destroyers. A land where lava flowed, volcanoes erupted, a black putrid smoke filled the air. Only one being lived here Surt (the fire demon).
Hiflheim – the land of ice was a cold vast place with seas filled with iceburgs, mountains of ice, and vast areas of snow covered terrain. This area is known to be the origin that gives us rivers and seas. Huergelmir (roaring caldron or primal river) is the origin of the rivers. Elivagar (primal spring) filled the seas.
As time passed, these two worlds spread across Ginnungagap until one day they would collide. This collision caused a huge explosion causing the waters of Hiflheim to fly into the air. When the coldwaters fell into the ash and cinder of Muspellheim it formed a giant named Aurgelmir (Ymir - as know by his offspring). The giant laid many eons not moving. As he laid sleeping all the elements of Muspellheim and Hiflheim begin to mesh. Thus solidifying his body. After his solidification he began to sweat from his left arm pit from this a male and female were born. Soon after his right foot mated with his left foot and gave birth to a six headed giant. These first creatures were to found the races of the ice and mountain giants.
Elsewhere in Ginnungagap another being was born. A giant cow called Audhumbla. This being was formed at the same time as Ymir but poison from the gases of Muspellheim had not gone into her creation. She was formed from pure fire and ice. Having nothing to eat, she begin to lick the ice. As she fed upon the ice four streams of milk flowed from her utters feeding the giant Ymir. She continued to feed upon the ice she found the hair of a man . At the end of the third day a complete being stood before them naked and beautiful on the ice. Huge and powerful to look upon. This being was Buri.
Buri was the father of the Gods. Buri gave birth to a son Bor. Bor, who married Bestla a daughter of a giant. Bor and Bestla had three sons, Vili, Ve, and Odin.
This concludes the story of creation of the universe from Norse Mythology. As you can see it is a view from a different time and culture trying to have an understanding on how everything came to be. As with many different cultures there is overlap among the stories given. Within every culture there is their own uniqueness that comes forth through these legends. This makes all cultures interesting and hold special meaning to those whom are apart of it. Hoped you enjoyed this little insight into Norse culture. The next adventure will be looking into the creation of the world. Blessed be!
No one knows the secret of creation of how something came from nothing, but two worlds came into existence. These were Muspellheim and Hiflheim.
Muspellheim – the land of fire was the home of the destroyers. A land where lava flowed, volcanoes erupted, a black putrid smoke filled the air. Only one being lived here Surt (the fire demon).
Hiflheim – the land of ice was a cold vast place with seas filled with iceburgs, mountains of ice, and vast areas of snow covered terrain. This area is known to be the origin that gives us rivers and seas. Huergelmir (roaring caldron or primal river) is the origin of the rivers. Elivagar (primal spring) filled the seas.
As time passed, these two worlds spread across Ginnungagap until one day they would collide. This collision caused a huge explosion causing the waters of Hiflheim to fly into the air. When the coldwaters fell into the ash and cinder of Muspellheim it formed a giant named Aurgelmir (Ymir - as know by his offspring). The giant laid many eons not moving. As he laid sleeping all the elements of Muspellheim and Hiflheim begin to mesh. Thus solidifying his body. After his solidification he began to sweat from his left arm pit from this a male and female were born. Soon after his right foot mated with his left foot and gave birth to a six headed giant. These first creatures were to found the races of the ice and mountain giants.
Elsewhere in Ginnungagap another being was born. A giant cow called Audhumbla. This being was formed at the same time as Ymir but poison from the gases of Muspellheim had not gone into her creation. She was formed from pure fire and ice. Having nothing to eat, she begin to lick the ice. As she fed upon the ice four streams of milk flowed from her utters feeding the giant Ymir. She continued to feed upon the ice she found the hair of a man . At the end of the third day a complete being stood before them naked and beautiful on the ice. Huge and powerful to look upon. This being was Buri.
Buri was the father of the Gods. Buri gave birth to a son Bor. Bor, who married Bestla a daughter of a giant. Bor and Bestla had three sons, Vili, Ve, and Odin.
This concludes the story of creation of the universe from Norse Mythology. As you can see it is a view from a different time and culture trying to have an understanding on how everything came to be. As with many different cultures there is overlap among the stories given. Within every culture there is their own uniqueness that comes forth through these legends. This makes all cultures interesting and hold special meaning to those whom are apart of it. Hoped you enjoyed this little insight into Norse culture. The next adventure will be looking into the creation of the world. Blessed be!