Niflheim
Niflheim or Niflheimr
(the "Abode of Mist") is one of the Nine Worlds and is a location in Norse
mythology which overlaps with the notions of Niflhel and Hel. Niflheim was primarily a realm of primordial ice and cold, with nine frozen rivers. According to Gylfaginning, it was one of the two primordial realms, the other one
being Muspelheim, the realm of fire. Between these two realms of cold and heat,
creation began when its waters mixed with the heat of Muspelheim to form a mist
or steam. From the whirling mist and
fire came the first being, Ymir.
Ymir is not truly a
deity, more of a primal frost giant. He
is said to have spawned the entire race that became known as the Jotuns or
giants, without a mate. He came to an
end by Odin, Vili and Ve in the early days of creation. With his death, the land became a realm for
the dishonored dead.
In Ancient times, ice was
a constant factor in the day to day lives of the Norse. It threatened their
crops, their ships and their livelihoods, almost throughout the entire year. To
the people though, it also served as a symbol of creation from which all life
eventually springs forth.
Niflheim is the far
northern region of icy fogs and mists, darkness and cold. It is situated on the
lowest level of the universe. The realm of death, Helheim, shares this part of
the vast, cold region. Also situated on
this level is Nastrand, the Shore of
Corpses and where the serpent Nidhogg eats corpses and gnaws on the roots of
Yggdrasil.
Nidhogg is a powerful dragon or serpent who dwells in Niflheim
and continually gnaws at the roots of the World Tree Yggrassil, which will
eventually cause the tree to collapse.
When he is not chewing on roots or corpses, he trades insults with an
eagle that lives at the top of the tree; the messages are carried up and down
the tree by a squirrel.
After Ragnarok, there will be a hall here for the
punishment of murderers, oath breakers and philanderers.
Hail to the
Land of Mists, from whence the Giants came,
One of the Two from which all the Worlds began.
One of the Two from which all the Worlds began.
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