THE NINE WORLDS OF NORDIC MYTHOLOGY

According to Norse mythology, the universe world is made up of nine worlds that originated from a cosmic cataclysm that took place when the only two worlds that existed in the primeval void met; the world of Ice and the world of Fire.

With the clash of Ice and Fire, Ymir was born, a colossal ice father of all ice men. In turn, Audumla arose from the waters, a giant cow that suckled Ymir. From YmIr’s arm were born a man and a woman of the same species. Audumla discovered Buri, an ancestor with a son named Bon, father of the gods Odin, Vili and Ve. When the gods confronted Ymir, they defeated him and with his body they shaped the world, creating the seas, the sky, the earth and the nine worlds.

Muspelheim: It is a world of fire uninhabitable for the gods, although paradoxically it is the home of the ice men. At the entrance of this world stands Surturwho watches over the stability of this world with his flaming sword.

Nifheim: It is a lonely world of ice from where all the sources that feed the seas of the universe sprout. The two fountains are Roaring Calderas and Frigid Waves.

Midgard: It is the home of the men created by Odin, Ve and Vili from trunks found on the beach and of the dwarves that arose spontaneously from the dead body of Ymir. This world is round in shape and is surrounded by an ocean surrounded by a snake that prevents it from overflowing.

Asgard: It is the land of living gods and goddesses and the resting place of those who have died in battle. In Asgard important monuments are erected, among which the Castle of Thor stands out, Valhalla, resting place of the gods and Vingolf, meeting place of the goddesses. At the gates of this world is Heimdal, the god who watches over it day and night.

Jotunheim: This is the place of doom for the ice men and the steel giants. It is a forest of ice and rivers that never freeze to prevent the escape of their prisoners.

vanaheim: It is the world of the Vanes, better known as gods of fertility and prosperity.

Alfheim: It is the home of the light elves, characters of great importance in Norse mythology.

Svartalheim: It is the world of the dark elves. It is an underground world.

Hel: It is the last world. In it rest the dead without privileges to rest with the gods of Asgard. It is also inhabited by those who die of old age or disease. In Hel there is a torture site to punish those who were vile in life.

Norse mythology explains the conception of the universe from the void to the creation of the nine worlds that dictate the rules for the living and the dead. According to Norse belief, all worlds rest on Yggdrasyl, the sacred ash tree that supports the world.