![]() Unfortunately for the Vikings, Jormungandr grew to epic proportions, becoming of such incredible length (Norse dragons were serpent-like in appearance) that it was able to wrap itself around the entirety of Midgar’s coastlines and clamp down on its tail with its mighty jaws. It was because of this dragon’s fated role that the all-father Odin cast Jormungandr into the vast seas that encircled the realm of humankind, Midgard. The third, and perhaps most prominent, myth involving a Norse dragon is the legend of Jormungandr, who is perhaps best known as the beast that was prophesied to kill the mighty Thor during the cataclysmic events of Ragnarok. Nidhogg survives Ragnarok to embody the evil that must balance out good in the new world. One of the signs of Ragnarok is the yellowing of the tree of life from Nidhogg’s constant chewing of its life-providing roots, after which the dragon of the dead will emerge from the depths leading an army of giants. Which is why Nidhogg is often described as slithering among the roots of Yggdrasil and constantly gnawing at them. On the scales of the Norse cosmos, whatever weighed in favor of law and order was counterbalanced by Nidhogg. What kind of clothes did Vikings wear? What kind of clothes did women wear? What about the men? See The Viking Dress Code: What They Wore and How to learn more.įor there to be good, there must also be evil. If order is to exist, so too must chaos. The Vikings believed that their universe depended on balance to exist. ![]() ![]() Nidhogg was closely associated with the dead, specifically murderers, adulterers, and other villainous types, and has been described as feasting on their corpses and stashing them away under its wings.Īside from presiding over Viking criminals, Nidhogg played a significant role in the Norse people’s view of existence. With scales covering his gargantuan body and features like sharp claws and a pair of horns protruding from its head, Nidhogg is portrayed as a truly fearsome beast. Underneath its base, deep within the cold and dark confines of its twisting, outstretched roots dwells the mighty dragon Nidhogg, known to the Vikings as the terrifying “malice striker.” The Yggdrasil, which is the Norse tree of life that supports the nine realms of the Viking universe within its branches, is one of the most important symbols in Norse mythology. Ĭlaws of a dragon as depicted on a statue Nidhogg: Dragon of the Dead Thus, the power of greed kept the curse of death alive. Siegfried succeeded in his quest and, upon learning of Regin’s own plan to murder him, killed his stepfather and kept the treasure and the ring (with its curse) for himself. Sadly for Fafnir, his brother Regin had designs on possessing the ring at all costs and instructed his stepson Siegfried to kill Fafnir and bring him the dragon’s hoard. See Norse Mythology vs Christianity to learn more. Before converting to Christianity, they practiced Norse paganism. Unfortunately for Heidmar, both of his sons were also entranced by the mystical powers of Andvari’s ring, and Fafnir murdered his father to gain possession of the ring and Heidmar’s riches.įafnir then transformed himself into a fearsome, poison-breathing dragon to prevent Regin and all others from taking his treasure. Among the items given to Heidmar was an enchanted golden ring that was cursed to bring its unfortunate owner misery and death. The curse took hold of Heidmar, who sought to keep its magic from his sons Fafnir and Regin.
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