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 medieval 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. 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.
- Aesir – 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.
- Bolverk – 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.
- Bragi – 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.
- Day – Son of Night and Delling. Said to ride around the earth on his horse Skinfaxi.
- Earth – Daughter of Night and Annar.
- Einherjar – Band of dead warriors in Valhalla who await Ragnarok.
- Eir – Goddess of healing
- Fjorgyn – Lover of Odin and mother of Thor. Also referred to as Earth.
- Forseti – God of Justice. Son of Balder and Nanna.
- Freyja – 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.
- Frigga – Main goddess. Wife of Odin and mother of Balder.
- Fulla – Goddess servant of Frigga.
- Gangnrad – 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.
- Grimnir – 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.
- Harbard – 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.
- Hel – ruler of Helheim, the realm of the dead
- Hermod – 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.
- Honir – 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.
- Lofn – 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.
- Magni – 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.
- Modgud – 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.
- Moon – Son of Mundilfari. Guides the moon on it’s course.
- Nanna – Wife of Balder and daughter of Nep.
- Narvi – 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.
- Njord – 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.
- Od – 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”.
- Ran – Wife of Aegir who dragged drowning men down with her net.
- Rig – Pseudonym of Heimdall and the creator of three races of men.
- Rind – Goddess and lover of Odin. Mother of Vali.
- Saga – Goddess and drinking companion of Odin.
- Sif – Wife of Thor whose golden hair was cut off by Loki.
- Sigyn – Wife of Loki.
- Sjofn – Goddess of human passion.
- Skadi – Goddess of Winter and of the Hunt
- Sun – Daughter of Mundilfari and guide of the sun.
- Syn – 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”.
- Thrud – Daughter of Thor. Promised to the dwarf Alvis.
- Tyr – War god. Son of Odin who sacrificed his hand in the binding of Fenrir.
- Ull – God of archery and skiing.
- Vali – Son of Odin and the giantess Rind. Conceived to avenge the death of Balder.
- Valkyries – Beautiful women who carried dying warriors to Valhalla.
- Vanir – Fertility gods.
- Var – Goddess of marriage oaths.
- Ve – 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.
- Vili – 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
- Algron – Island where Odin (Harbard) stayed for five years
- Asgard – Land of the Aesir
- Bilskirnir – Thor’s hall in Asgard
- Bifrost - The flaming rainbow bridge between Asgard and Midgard
- Breidablik – Balder’s hall in Asgard
- Elivagar – The eleven rivers that flow from the spring of Hvergelmir in Niflheim.
- Eljudnir – Hel’s hall in Nifleheim
- Fensalir – Frigg’s hall in Asgard
- Folkvang – Site of Freyja’s hall in Asgard
- Franang’s Falls – Waterfall in Midgard where Loki, disguised as a salmon, was caught by the gods.
- Gimli – Hall of the gods after Ragnarok
- Ginnungagap – The void between Muspell and Nifleheim before the creation.
- Gladsheim – Sanctuary of the Norse gods on the plain of Ida.
- Glitnir – Silver and gold hall of Forseti, son of Balder, in Asgard.
- Gnipahellir – 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.
- Himinbjorg – Heimdall’s hall in Asgard
- Hlesey – Island near the undersea hall of Aegir and Ran.
- Hlidskjalf – Odin’s high thrown in Valaskjalf.
- Hnitbjorg – Stronghold of the giant Suttung.
- Hvergelmir – Spring in Niflheim under the root of Yggdrasill.
- Idavoll – The central plain of Asgard. Contains the halls of Gladsheim and Vingolf.
- Iving – River dividing Asgard from Jotunheim
- Jotunheim – Land of the giants
- Lyfjaberg – Mountain beside Menglad’s hall in Jotunheim.
- Lyngvi – Island on lake Armsvartnir where Fenrir is bound.
- Lyr – Menglad’s hall in Jotunheim
- Midgard – 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.
- Muspell – 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.
- Niflheim – Land of freezing mist and darkness and home of Hel.
- Okolnir – Land of warmth created after Ragnarok. Site of the hall of Brimnir.
- Sessrumnir – Freyja’s hall in Asgard.
- Sindri – Red gold roofed hall which will appear after Ragnarok.
- Sokkvabekk – Saga’s hall in Asgard
- Svartalfheim – Realm of the dark elves.
- Thrudheim – 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.
- Utgard – Realm in Jotunheim ruled by Utgard-Loki.
- Valaskjalf – Odin’s hall in Asgard.
- Valhalla – Hall presided over by Odin where the Einherjar await Ragnarok.
- Vanaheim – Land of the Vanir in Asgard.
- Vigrid – Plain in Asgard where the final battle will occur.
- Vingolf – Hall of the goddesses in Asgard.
- Ydalir – Ull’s hall in Asgard.
- Yggdrasill – The world tree (Hodmimir’s wood)
The Norse Myths
- The Creation
- The War of the Aesir anf Vanir
- The Building of Asgard’s Wall
- Lord of the Gallows
- The Song of Rig
- The Mead of Poetry
- Loki’s Children and the Binding of Fenrir
- The Theft of Idun’s Apples
- The Marriage of Njord and Skadi
- The Treasurs of the Gods
- Skirnir’s Journey
- The Lay of Grimnir
- The Necklace of the Brisings
- The Lay of Thrym
- The Lay of Vafthrudnir
- Thor’s Journey to Utgard
- The Lay of Hymir
- Hyndla’s Poem
- Thor’s Duel with Hrungnir
- Odin and Billing’s Daughter
- Gylfi and Gefion
- The Lay of Harbard
- The Ballad of Svidpag
- Thor and Geirrod
- The Lay of Loddfafnirr
- Otter’s Ransom
- The Lay of Alvis
- Balder’s Dreams
- The Death of Balder
- Loki’s Flyting
- The Binding of Loki
- Ragnarok
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.
20 Comments
Nice list. It gives you just enough basic information to get an idea of what Norse mythology is all about. Of course, there’s more to it than what’s here, but the details can be found in the myths and stories themselves… Just wanted to say “Good job and good luck!” Thanx!!!!
Great site! Very informative; I was trying to look up info on the Norse deities and this page had it all right here. Good job! Cheers!
Wonderful site. Keep up the good work. Will be spending more time reading all of your postings, while I’m recovering from surgery. Found it looking up my son’s name Torsten.
Thanks!!!!! You sooo saved me!!! Everything i need is here and is’s so detailed yet and a thousand times less boring than the other sites.. Again, THANKS A LOT!!!!!! And I love this site….
Cheers!
I love this site!!!! My family is from norway and me and my sisters never knew anything and this really help us know the legends of our ancetors!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!!!
what’s Fimbul Winter?
Fimbul Winter or Fimbulvetr is a period of three successive winters (no Summer, Spring or Fall) that precede the end of the world and puts an end to all life on Earth (Ragnarok ?). It will be a time of innumerable wars and ties of blood will no longer be respected: “the next-of-kin will lay together and brothers will kill brothers.”
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and beauty actually.
I like this website because it gave me the information I needed in FULL, and rather than having bias opinions about the mythology of Scandinavia, this page is strictly informational and doesn’t push the point of other religions.
Keep up the good work you guys!
~Fairion
why is Ragnarok Surtor not on here
“Ragnarok Surtor” is a comic book character created by Marvel. In the Eddas “Surt” is not a Norse God, Surt is a giant, the guardian of the fire realm Muspell.
what about vithar?
Vidar. Son of Odin and the giantess Grid, avenges Odin’s death and survives Ragnarok along with his half brother Vali.
Thank you so much for this mythology. I am avidly studying Jungian philosophy of using mythology as a means of self-transformation during my graduate work in psychology I wish to offer some advice to anyone who seeks the truth within themselves.
Recognize these gods, goddesses and characters of mythology as parts of yourself. Jungian psychology advocates the practice of active imagination in order to better understand and integrate these parts of your own subconscious mind.
Active imagination is to simply recognize each archetype (characters of mythology) which resonates with you during this moment in your life. Lie down, close your eyes, relax all of your body and begin to imagine in your minds eye a world all your own. Create your own world/scene/anything as you see fit, bring into it certain archetypes that you wish to understand and start to interact with them from there it is your own adventure.
There are many parts of the subconcious mind, Jung said that he was constantly inventing new archetypes with every that client that he encountered, a jester for example came into one of his clients stories. Don’t be afraid to invent your own characters in your own personal active imagination. Jung called this “Learning the language of the subconscious” Active imagination is an amazing means of interacting with our own minds in a way that is literally unbelievable. You can learn more from Jung’s writings on Alchemy, also look for shamanism with regards to Norse Mythology.
Creativity and curiosity are two of many hallmarks of a healthy individual.
“Treat others as you would like to be treated” – This golden rule has been found in every religion known to humankind from Confucianism to Christianity. Though it is not a religion in and of itself, we must understand and integrate the lessons we learn from these mythologies. The stories invoke the deeper parts of ourselves so that we may be more in touch with what we truly think is right, wrong, and ideal. Creating our own personal truth rather than adopting the opinions and beliefs of the society which we are born into.
I hope that what I’ve written can help even one person in the smallest way, thank you again so much for this beautiful website <3
hey does anyone know if there is a sun god/dess or what the norse would do during the winter solstice? i need to do a mural and its norse theme, need some help guys:)
There is sort of a sun goddess. Actually, she is the sun… Her name is Sol or Sunna, and she is being chased by a wolf named Skoll. Her brother is the moon and he is also chased by a wolf. I guess this information is kind of late, but here it is.
Are there such things as fire faeries or any type of faeries in Norse mythology? I’m writing a book that has to do a lot with Norse. Please reply, thanks.-Francesca
Nice clear layout and is very informative. A suggestion however would be to include a new area for giants, creatures and monsters such as the giant Laufey, Fenrir the wolfchild of Loki and Nidhogg the serpent.
Thanks Jaxxer90. Suggestions noted and are definitely in the queue.
I’ve been interested in Norse mythology since I was a child. Use to love the old Thor cartoon that aired in the early 70′s. Thanks for all the info! Glad to know some of us still cherish the old ways. When is Ragnarok slated to happen? Thanks again!