Special Sub-Topic: Norse Cosmology Part I Click Here To Play: Norse Cosmology Part I

The Norse universe is described as tri-centric structure. What description best fits this structure?

Three plates set on one another with space in between each other. The Norsemen told of a world that resembled three plates set on one another with space in between each plate. The three plates were held together at the top by a giant tree with three roots going into each realm.

How many worlds are within the three realms?

Nine. There are nine worlds within the three realms of the Norse universe. They are Asgard (land of the warriors/gods), Vanaheim (land of the fertility gods), Alfheim (land of the Light Elves), Midgard (middle world), Jotunheim (land of the giants), Nidavellir (land of the Dwarfs), Svartalfheim (land of the Dark Elves), Hel (realm of the dead), and Niflheim (world of the dead).

How many worlds are within, Asgard, the first realm?

Three. There are three worlds with Asgard; Vanaheim, Asgard (also name of the home of the Aesir), and Alfheim.

Where is Valhalla located?

Asgard. Valhalla, the hall of the slain, is located within Asgard. Jotunheim has Utgard, the citadel of the giants. Niflheim has Hel within its boundaries. The Vanir are the fertility gods that reside within Vanaheim.

What are each of the realms held together by?

Yggdrasil. The three realms are held together by the Yggdrasil, an ash tree that extends its roots into all realms and sustains all life in the Norse universe. One root is in Asgard under the Well of Urd, another root is in Jotunheim under the Spring of Mimir, and the last root is in Niflheim under the spring of Hvergelmir. Bifrost is the rainbow bridge. Sokkvabekk, the Sinking Floor, is Saga's hall in Asgard. Suttung is the son of the giant Gilling. For a certain time, he was the guardian of the mead of poetry.

What creature sits in the ash tree?

Eagle. An eagle sits in the top of the Yggdrasil, the Guardian Tree. The eagle has a hawk perched between its eyes and slings insults to Nidhogg, the corpse tearer, which are carried by Ratatosk.

What is the name of the land of the Vanir?

Vanaheim. The Vanir inhabit Vanaheim located in Asgard. Svartalfheim was the land of the Dark Elves in Midgard. Hel was the land of the dead in Niflheim. Njord was one of the fertility gods and the father of Frey and Freya. He is associated with the wind and sea.

What is the name of the land of the Light Elves?

Alfheim. The land of the Light Elves is Alfheim located in Asgard. Hermod was the son of Odin who rode into Hel to retrieve his brother Balder. Hyrrokin is a giantess who pulls Righorn, Balder's burial boat, down to the sea. Ganglot was the maid of Hel.

Midgard is connected to Asgard by what?

A flaming rainbow bridge known as the Bifrost. The Bifrost, a flaming rainbow bridge, connects Asgard to Midgard. The Bifrost is guarded by the god Heimdall. Upon the Ragnarok, Heimdall will leave his hall Himinbjor and sound Gjall, his great horn to warn of the Ragnarok. His call will be heard throughout all nine worlds.