Norse Mythology and Viking Beliefs: Origins, Gods, and Goddesses

Before Christianity in the North

Before Christianity reached Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands, people followed a rich and changing belief system. Today, we call it Norse mythology.

A Flexible and Local Tradition

Norse mythology was not a fixed religion. It was a collection of stories, rituals, and traditions. These varied from place to place. There was no single “correct” version. Local culture and history shaped the myths differently across the region.

Part of a Larger Germanic World

Norse mythology shared roots with other Germanic belief systems. The Nordic gods and legends had much in common with myths from other Germanic tribes. But names, stories, and rituals could still vary widely.

No Central Authority or Sacred Text

This mythology wasn’t organized like modern religions. There was no religious leader or holy book. It grew as an ethnic religion, closely tied to daily life and community traditions. It focused more on shared actions and rituals than personal faith.

Over time, Norse beliefs absorbed elements from neighboring cultures. This included influences from Celtic traditions and the indigenous Sami and Finno-Ugric peoples, especially in southern Sweden.

Lack of Original Written Sources

Studying Norse mythology is difficult because there are few written sources from the time when it was actively practiced. Most early followers left little writing behind. What little survive are short rune inscriptions on stone or metal. Longer stories were passed down orally.

The best records we have were written much later by Christian and Roman scholars. These writers often viewed Norse beliefs as outsiders—or even with judgment.

Iceland’s Vital Role

The most important texts come from Iceland, where a strong oral tradition helped preserve ancient stories. In the 13th century, long after Iceland became Christian, scholars began writing these stories down.

Two key works stand out:

• The Prose Edda, written by historian and poet Snorri Sturluson
• The Poetic Edda, an anonymous collection of older poems

These sagas (Old Norse: “stories”), give us the most detailed view of Norse mythology today.

From the Viking Age to Modern Culture

While it’s not entirely wrong to credit Norse mythology as part of Viking beliefs, the term “Norse” actually refers more broadly to the language and culture of the people living in Scandinavia during the Viking Age. This includes not only the seafaring raiders we call Vikings but also farmers, traders, and settlers across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and beyond.

The word Viking itself comes from the Old Norse term víkingr, which originally meant “pirate” or “raider.” In other words, not all Norse people were Vikings, but all Vikings were Norse.

By the end of the Viking Age, Christianity had mostly replaced the old gods. But the stories never disappeared. Today, Norse mythology survives in historical texts—and in popular culture.

From books and games to blockbuster films, these myths live on. Characters like Thor, Loki, Odin, and Hela have become global icons, thanks in part to Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe(MCU). However, the original myths are far older—and often much stranger—than their Hollywood versions.

In the very beginning, there was nothing. No sun, no earth, no sky — only Cold and Heat filling the emptiness.

To the north lay Niflheim, a land of ice, frost, and thick fog. To the south blazed Muspelheim, a realm of roaring flames guarded by the fire giant Surt. Between these two extremes stretched a vast and bottomless void called Ginnungagap — a silent chasm where existence had yet to take shape.

It was here, in the heart of Ginnungagap, that the first spark of life appeared.

As the ice of Niflheim slowly crept into the warmth of Muspelheim, it began to melt. From the mingling of fire and frost, something extraordinary emerged — a strange and ancient being called Ymir (or Yme).
Ymir was no ordinary creature. Both male and female, this colossal troll-like giant was the first living being in the cosmos. It is said no greater giant has ever walked the world since.

From Ymir’s body, the world itself was born — but only after a violent act of creation. The gods Odin, Vili, and Vé rose up and slew the giant. From Ymir’s flesh, they shaped the earth. From the giant’s blood, they formed the seas, and from its bones, the mountains were built.
The world they created was flat and round, divided into three main realms, each stacked above the other. The Prose Edda makes a single reference to the existence of nine realms, but scholars debate this due to the lack of supporting scripture. The proposed realms are: Asgard, Vanaheimr, Álfheimr, Midgard, Jotunheim, Muspelheim, Svartálfheim, Niflheim, and Nidavellir.

At the very center stood Asgard, the shining fortress where the gods made their home. Towering over Asgard was the great World Tree, Yggdrasil, its roots and branches stretching across the cosmos, binding all realms together.

Surrounding Asgard lay Midgard, the world of humans. Connecting these two realms was a shimmering rainbow bridge known as Bifrost, the divine pathway linking mortals and gods.

At the outermost edges of existence lay Utgard, home to the ancient jötnar (or jotun). These primal beings, born from the chaos of creation itself, were sworn enemies of the gods — forever threatening the fragile balance between order and chaos.

Norse mythology presents a pantheon divided into two primary divine clans: the Aesir and the Vanir. The Aesir, which included prominent figures such as Odin, Thor, Loki, Balder, Heimdall, and Tyr, were regarded as the principal gods, closely associated with themes of war, governance, and cosmic order. In contrast, the Vanir were more associated with fertility, wisdom, and foresight with Njord, Freyr, and Freyja standing as their most significant representatives.

While the Aesir and Vanir were initially adversaries, the two clans were ultimately compelled to unite, combining their distinct powers and philosophies in order to ensure the stability and prosperity of the cosmos.

One of the defining characteristics of the Norse gods, setting them apart from many divine figures in other religious traditions, is their intrinsic imperfection. Far from being idealized, omnipotent beings, the Norse gods were deeply flawed and often displayed human-like traits, including jealousy, ambition, and moral ambiguity. This duality—both powerful and fallible—allowed them to embody the full spectrum of human nature, from its highest virtues to its most troubling vices.

Scholars estimate that the broader Norse pantheon may have encompassed more than 30 deities(The exact number is disputed), each occupying a unique role within the mythological and religious framework of the old Norse world.  

Odin is the chief and most powerful of the Aesir gods. He is a one-eyed seeker of wisdom, having sacrificed an eye to drink from Mimir’s well of knowledge, which lies beneath the roots of Yggdrasil. Son of Bor and the jötunn Bestla, Odin—along with his brothers Vili and Vé—shaped the world at the dawn of time.
Married to Frigg, the most powerful goddess, Odin is father to Balder and Hod, and also to Thor, the strongest of the gods. Many myths credit Odin with countless children, though accounts vary. His hunger for knowledge led him to hang himself from Yggdrasil for nine days and nights, earning him mastery of the runes.
Odin’s companions include his ravens, Huginn and Muninn, who fly across the world each day to bring him news. He also carries the spear Gungnir and wears the magical gold ring Draupnir.

Thor, the thunder god, is one of the most famous Aesir. He represents natural forces, especially thunder, and is associated with strength and fertility. Though mighty, Thor is known more for his temper than his wisdom.
Thor wields his legendary hammer, Mjölnir, a weapon forged by the dwarves Brokk and Sindri after a wager with Loki. Due to Loki’s meddling, the hammer’s handle ended up shorter than intended.
As the defender of the gods, Thor constantly battles the jötnar, protecting the cosmos from chaos. He is the son of Odin and the earth goddess Jörð. Married to Sif, and together they had a daughter, Thrud (strength). He also fathered two sons Modi (courage), and Magni(might), whose mother is possibly the jötunn Járnsaxa.

Tyr, the god of war and justice, is known for his bravery and wisdom. His defining moment comes when he places his hand in the mouth of the wolf Fenrir to help bind the beast, losing his hand in the process. When Ragnarok arrives, Tyr fights the fearsome hound Garm, and the two slay each other.

Loki is a complex figure—both a blood brother to Odin and a troublemaker who repeatedly endangers the gods. Though born to the jötnar Fárbauti and Laufey, Loki is accepted among the Aesir. Charming and clever, he is also deceitful and unpredictable.
Married to Sigyn, with whom he has sons Nari and Váli, Loki also fathers the monstrous children Hel, Fenrir, and Jörmungandr with the jötunn Angrboða. In one of his strangest escapades, Loki shape-shifts into a mare and gives birth to Sleipnir, Odin’s eight-legged horse.

Balder, son of Odin and Frigg, is known for his beauty, wisdom, and gentle nature. Married to Nanna and father of Forseti, Balder’s death is one of the most tragic myths in Norse lore.
Plagued by dreams of his own death, Frigg seeks oaths from every being in the world not to harm Balder—except for the harmless mistletoe. Loki exploits this loophole, tricking Balder’s blind brother Hod into killing him with a mistletoe arrow. Balder’s death signals the beginning of Ragnarok.

Frigg, Odin’s wife, is a goddess of wisdom, foresight, and motherhood. Though she knows the fate of gods, humans, and the world, she keeps this knowledge to herself. She plays a crucial role in the myth of Balder’s death, showing both her maternal love and her limitations despite her wisdom.

Freya, a Vanir goddess, governs love, beauty, fertility, magic (seid), and death. As a practitioner of seid, Freya possesses deep knowledge of fate.
She is the daughter of Njord and sister to Freyr. Following the war between the Aesir and Vanir, Freya is sent to Asgard as part of the peace agreement, where she is welcomed among the Aesir.

Njord, a Vanir god, presides over the sea, wealth, fertility, and seafaring. He can calm storms and extinguish fire. Father to Freyr and Freya, Njord also came to Asgard as part of the peace treaty between the Aesir and Vanir.

Heimdall stands guard at the rainbow bridge, Bifröst, which connects Asgard to the world below. His keen senses allow him to see and hear across vast distances—he can even hear grass growing.
He owns the resounding horn, Gjallarhorn, which he will blow to signal the onset of Ragnarok. Heimdall’s hall, Himinbjörg, lies at the end of Bifröst, and his shining gold teeth match his horse, Gulltoppr.

Hel, daughter of Loki and Angrboða, rules over Helheim, the realm of the dead. With a half-rotted, corpse-like body, Hel is cold and unyielding, refusing to release those who come into her realm. Alongside her monstrous siblings Fenrir and Jörmungandr, Hel is a harbinger of the end times.

Mimir, guardian of the well of wisdom at the base of Yggdrasil, is famed for his knowledge. Thought to be of jötunn descent, Mimir was sent to the Vanir as a hostage after the Aesir-Vanir war. Dissatisfied, the Vanir beheaded him and returned his head to Odin, who magically preserved it to seek its counsel. Odin sacrificed one eye to Mimir’s well to gain unparalleled wisdom.

Idunn is the keeper of the magical apples that grant the gods eternal youth. As a goddess associated with life and fertility, she plays a vital role in sustaining the Aesir. Married to Bragi, the god of poetry, Idunn’s apples symbolize renewal and vitality.

Freyr, a Vanir god, oversees fertility, prosperity, and peace. As Njord’s son and Freya’s brother, he also came to Asgard as part of the peace treaty. Freyr is closely tied to nature and bountiful harvests.

Forseti, son of Balder and Nanna, is the god of justice, truth, and reconciliation. Known for his wisdom and fairness, Forseti presides over disputes and brings harmony where there is conflict.

Vidar, one of Odin’s sons, is known as the silent god. Second only to Thor in strength, Vidar is fated to avenge Odin’s death by slaying Fenrir at Ragnarok. He is a god of quiet resolve and unstoppable vengeance.

Vali, son of Odin and the jötunn Rind, was born to avenge Balder’s death. Within a day of his birth, he grows into a formidable warrior, kills his brother Hod, and fulfills his destiny as the god of vengeance and justice.

In addition to the major deities, the prose also mentions a number of other gods and goddesses, including Eir, Gefion, Gullveig, Hermod, Hlin, Fulla, Hnoss, Hoenir, Lofn, Od, Ran, Sága, Gersemi, Sigyn, Sjofn, Skadi, Snotra, Ull and others.

Did you know the days of the week have Norse roots?

Norse mythology still leaves its mark on our everyday lives, even in something as simple as the names of weekdays.

• Tuesday is named after Tyr, the god of war.
• Wednesday comes from Odin (originally Wodnesday — Odin’s day).
• Thursday honors Thor, the god of thunder.
• Friday is linked to either Frigg, the goddess of marriage, or Freya, associated with love — historians still debate which one it truly belongs to!

Want to learn more? Explore more stories behind other legendary creatures and mythical beings in Norse mythology — Meet the Wolves, Serpent, and Celestial Beings of Norse Mythology