Legends and myths of Norway

Norway fascinates not only with its natural riches and friendliness, but also with its unique aura of mystery and magic. The belief in fairy-tale creatures and spirits, numerous legends, myths and legends are an iconic feature of this ancient country. This is probably why Norwegians are so fond of the surrounding nature, Scandinavian traditions and fantasy. Like the fjords, waterfalls and mountains, trolls and elders are considered part of the national culture.

Good advice for tourists: please Norwegian trolls

Harsh environment willy-nilly forced the ancient tribes that inhabited this land, please and placate invisible forces of nature.
Some of the customs have survived to this day. For example, Norwegians believe that every traveler who goes up into the mountains, should put a small pyramid of stones, so that the trolls looked kindly to him and did not fix any obstacles.

Gods of the Vikings

Ancient Vikings had their own pantheon of gods headed by Odin, Thor (Tror) and Loki. The supreme right belonged to Odin, the main hero of Scandinavian mythology, who was considered the cleverest of all lords, because he drank the cup of wisdom from the spring of Mimir, for which he gave his left eye.
The good-natured and straightforward Tror, son of Odin, was the most courageous deity – the God of Lightning. He wielded a magical weapon, the hammer Mjollnir, which was forged by dwarves.

Viking creation of the world

According to Scandinavian myths, before the creation of the world there was nothing but an abyss called Ginungagap. Nymphlheim, the Land of Darkness, arose in its northern part, and Muspelsheim, the Kingdom of Fire, in its southern part. Cold began to spread from the north over the abyss, and heat from the south. As they converged, they formed whirlwinds and rains. Once in the Land of Darkness, the Boiling Cauldron (Hvergelmir) began to flow, and eleven rivers of poisonous water were formed from it.
The raging waters rushed toward the Fire Realm, but the cold turned them to ice. The poisonous frost was swept up in whirlwinds, carrying it toward Muspelsheim. Encountering the hot heat, the frost melted, forming moisture. Water began to fill the abyss of Ginungagap. Thus out of the hot flames and poisonous ice came the cruel giant Ymir, who was neither a woman nor a man. From under his arms came a girl and a boy, who gave rise to a further race of giants. To feed the monsters, the cow Audhumla emerged from the ice, and rivers of milk flowed from her udders.
The cow fed on frost from a large rock, and as she licked it, human hair began to grow on it. Then a head was formed from the stone, and in time, man himself appeared – the forefather of the gods of Storm. His son Bor gave birth to Odin, who became the ruler of heaven and earth. He also killed Ymir, and from his skull he made the firmament.
From the sparks of the Kingdom of Fire the sun, the stars and the moon were formed. They still move in their own deliberately determined way, changing day into night and calculating the passage of time.