CREATION:
According to several texts, here is a brief overview of Norse creation mythology.
**Note: There is, as with many types of mythology, variation between sources.**
It began with a giant chasm known as Ginnungagap (“seeming emptiness”). This primordial void separated Niflheim ("house of mists") and Muspell ("home of desolation"). Muspell was a place of eternal light and heat, so extreme that those who were not born there could not inhabit it. Muspell is said to be ruled by the fire giant, Surt, who guards the borders with his flaming sword. (Mythology tells us that Surt is the one who will set the World Tree on fire during Ragnarok ). Opposite of Muspell was Niflheim, a world of ice, darkness and cold. There are several rivers flowing through this area, many of which are frozen, that connect both Niflheim and Ginnungagap.
Eventually, the hot and the cold clashed. As the ice thawed and melted, one drop took form and became Ymir (“seething clay”)- the first of the frost giants. Ymir was a personification of the frozen ocean. Along with Ymir, another drop took form and became Audhumla (“the nourisher”), who was a gigantic cow. Four great streams of milk flowed from her teats, which supplied Ymir with the nourishment that he needed.
After satisfying himself, Ymir slept and from his armpits he produced a son and daughter. Then, one of his legs birthed a son, the six-headed giant Thrudgelmir. From this, all frost giants descended. Audhumla became to lick the salt off an ice block for nourishment. As she licked, her rough tongue revealed the hair of a god. After awhile longer, a whole head emerged from the ice. Eventually, she licked enough that Buri (“the producer”) was freed from the ice entirely. Shortly after, Buri begot a son named Bor (“born”).
**Note: There is, as with many types of mythology, variation between sources.**
It began with a giant chasm known as Ginnungagap (“seeming emptiness”). This primordial void separated Niflheim ("house of mists") and Muspell ("home of desolation"). Muspell was a place of eternal light and heat, so extreme that those who were not born there could not inhabit it. Muspell is said to be ruled by the fire giant, Surt, who guards the borders with his flaming sword. (Mythology tells us that Surt is the one who will set the World Tree on fire during Ragnarok ). Opposite of Muspell was Niflheim, a world of ice, darkness and cold. There are several rivers flowing through this area, many of which are frozen, that connect both Niflheim and Ginnungagap.
Eventually, the hot and the cold clashed. As the ice thawed and melted, one drop took form and became Ymir (“seething clay”)- the first of the frost giants. Ymir was a personification of the frozen ocean. Along with Ymir, another drop took form and became Audhumla (“the nourisher”), who was a gigantic cow. Four great streams of milk flowed from her teats, which supplied Ymir with the nourishment that he needed.
After satisfying himself, Ymir slept and from his armpits he produced a son and daughter. Then, one of his legs birthed a son, the six-headed giant Thrudgelmir. From this, all frost giants descended. Audhumla became to lick the salt off an ice block for nourishment. As she licked, her rough tongue revealed the hair of a god. After awhile longer, a whole head emerged from the ice. Eventually, she licked enough that Buri (“the producer”) was freed from the ice entirely. Shortly after, Buri begot a son named Bor (“born”).
When the giants became aware of Buri and his son Bor they began to wage a war against them, as Gods and Giants were representative of opposite forces: good and evil. This struggle continued until Bor married Bestla, daughter of the giant Bolthorn (“the thorn of evil”). She bore him three powerful sons: Odin (“spirit”), Vili (“will”) and Ve (“holy”). The three sons joined their father, as they had no use for Ymir and his brutish offspring. They attacked and defeated Ymir.
It is said that as Ymir sank down, blood gushed from his wounds and produced such floods that all of his race (with the exception of Bergelmir and his wife) perished. From Bergelmir and his wife, modern giants were born. Odin, Vili and Ve took Ymir’s body to Ginnungagap. Out of the giant’s flesh they fashioned Midgard (“middle garden”) as Earth was called. The solid portion of Midgard was surround by the giant’s blood and sweat, forming the oceans. His bones made the hills, his teeth became cliffs, and his hair became trees and other plant life. Then the Gods took the giant’s skull and positioned it above the Earth and it became the Heavens. From his brains they fashioned clouds. To support the Heavens, the Gods stationed the strongest dwarfs ( Nordi, Sudri, Austri and Westri) at the four corners.
Then the Gods fashioned two chariots: one of sun and one of moon. They perceived Mani (“the moon”) and Sol (“the sun”) who were both children of the giant Mundilfari. His daughter, Mani, married Glaur (“glow”). Both brother and sister were transferred to the sky and began to guide their chariots along their appointed pathways. Some myths tell that both the Sun and Moon were pursued by fierce wolves, Skoll (“repulsion”) and Hati (“hatred”), who only wished to overtake and swallow whole the objects that radiated light so as to make the world dark once more. At times, it was said the wolves overtook their prey, thus producing eclipses.
The Gods now summoned Nott (“night”), a daughter of one of the giants named Norvi, and gave her the dark chariot, drawn by Hrim-faxi (“frost mane”). One of her children was a very radiant God named Dag (“day”). They provided him with a chariot as well, drawn by the white steed named Skin-faxi (“shining mane”).
It is said that as Ymir sank down, blood gushed from his wounds and produced such floods that all of his race (with the exception of Bergelmir and his wife) perished. From Bergelmir and his wife, modern giants were born. Odin, Vili and Ve took Ymir’s body to Ginnungagap. Out of the giant’s flesh they fashioned Midgard (“middle garden”) as Earth was called. The solid portion of Midgard was surround by the giant’s blood and sweat, forming the oceans. His bones made the hills, his teeth became cliffs, and his hair became trees and other plant life. Then the Gods took the giant’s skull and positioned it above the Earth and it became the Heavens. From his brains they fashioned clouds. To support the Heavens, the Gods stationed the strongest dwarfs ( Nordi, Sudri, Austri and Westri) at the four corners.
Then the Gods fashioned two chariots: one of sun and one of moon. They perceived Mani (“the moon”) and Sol (“the sun”) who were both children of the giant Mundilfari. His daughter, Mani, married Glaur (“glow”). Both brother and sister were transferred to the sky and began to guide their chariots along their appointed pathways. Some myths tell that both the Sun and Moon were pursued by fierce wolves, Skoll (“repulsion”) and Hati (“hatred”), who only wished to overtake and swallow whole the objects that radiated light so as to make the world dark once more. At times, it was said the wolves overtook their prey, thus producing eclipses.
The Gods now summoned Nott (“night”), a daughter of one of the giants named Norvi, and gave her the dark chariot, drawn by Hrim-faxi (“frost mane”). One of her children was a very radiant God named Dag (“day”). They provided him with a chariot as well, drawn by the white steed named Skin-faxi (“shining mane”).
One day, shortly after they created all of this, Odin, Vili and Ve were walking when they came across two uprooted trees. One was ash and the other elm. From these they created the first man and woman. Odin breathed the spirit of life into them. Vili gave to them wits, consciousness and heart. Ve gave them hearing and sight. They lived on Midgard and from them came the race of men.
And this is the creation story, via Norse mythology.
And this is the creation story, via Norse mythology.
RAGNAROK:
Ragnarok is a legendary event in Norse mythology. It is known as Gotterdammerung, "Twilight of the Gods", "Destruction of the Powers" or "Doom of the Gods". It's a predestined death of the Gods and end of the world.
It is said that first Fimbulvetr, the winter of winters, will occur and after such three more winters will happen with no summer in between them. Skoll, a mythological wolf figure, will finally catch the sun and devour her whole. Hati, another mythological wolf figure, will catch the moon and either strangle/devour him. As the story goes, this plunges the world into darkness: no more stars, no light.
Cocks will begin crowing and raising the dead. Fjalar will crow to the Giants, Gullinkambi, a golden cock, will crow to the Gods and a third will raise the rest of the dead. Jormungand will then begin making his way to land. As this is happening a ship called Naglfar will set sail, as Jormungand's movements will cause waves to free it. It is said to be made from the nails of dead men and will be packed to the brim with Giants who are led by Hymir.Loki, free from his bonds, will set sail from Hel with the dead. As this happens, the sons of Muspell will begin to move south. They will be led by a Flame Giant named Surtr. Heimdall will sound his horn- alerting the Gods. Eventually, everyone will converge on Vigrid- a large battle ground.
From there it gets a bit confusing: many stories depecting various Gods fighting and defeating each other. It is said that Odin will fight with Fenrir, and Thor will fight Jormungand. Thor will kill Jormungand, but being the poisonous serpent that he is, Jormungand will bite him and the poison will kill the thunder God. Surt will attack and defeat Freyr, as he will be defenseless without sword. The hound, Garm, will attack one-handed Tyr and the two will kill each other. As this happens, it is said Loki and Heimdall will meet in battle but neither will survive. Odin will be devoured by Fenrir. However, Fenrir's victory will be short lived as it is said that Odin's son, Vidar, will grip Fenrir by the jaws and rip him apart.
Surt, the previously mentioned fire giant, will begin to sling fire everywhere with his sword after the defeat of Freyr. This will set fire to the World Tree, Earth, and eventually all nine worlds will burn and sink down into the depths of the sea.
However, that's not the end of it. Some stories say that a new ideal world will come up from the ocean, abundant in resources, green and vast. Some Gods will be reborn, others will have survived and come back. Lif and Lifthrasir, two humans that had been hiding in Yggdrasil, will see a new light rise: even though the Sun had been devoured, she had birthed a daughter who could fulfill her position. The descendants of these two will rule the Earth in peace and happiness, so it says. The Gods will begin to rebuild.
That is more or less the story. There are several more details, but if you'd like to hear them I'd suggest you look it up.
Sources:
Myths of Northern Lands by H.A. Guerber
http://www.pantheon.org/
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/creation.html
However, that's not the end of it. Some stories say that a new ideal world will come up from the ocean, abundant in resources, green and vast. Some Gods will be reborn, others will have survived and come back. Lif and Lifthrasir, two humans that had been hiding in Yggdrasil, will see a new light rise: even though the Sun had been devoured, she had birthed a daughter who could fulfill her position. The descendants of these two will rule the Earth in peace and happiness, so it says. The Gods will begin to rebuild.
That is more or less the story. There are several more details, but if you'd like to hear them I'd suggest you look it up.
Sources:
Myths of Northern Lands by H.A. Guerber
http://www.pantheon.org/
http://www.pitt.edu/~dash/creation.html