Within Nordic culture the people used myth to explain certain aspects of their society, how they see the world, and explain natural phenomenon. These myths set up the basic structure and decorum that the Norse people followed in their day to day lives. It has to be noted though, that the myths we have to draw on today were translated and transcribed by a Christian missionary and some of the stories are probably slanted to present Christian symbolism.
There is a myth called The Song of Rig that explains why there is a class system. In this myth, Heimdall, an Aesir God, visits three different households for a period of three days each. With each house he visits he sleeps in the same bed as the husband and wife and impregnates the wife. Each house Heimdall visits possesses more and more wealth. The difference in wealth between the households determined the three classes in society, setting up the peasant, warrior, and lords. This sets the basic infrastructure of Norse society.
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| Yggdrasil by Christian [Flickr, CC BY-ND 2.0] |
Nordic culture had a completely different world view from what is commonly accepted today. Instead of the world being round and revolving around the sun the Norse viewed the world as being separated into three levels that were supported by a tree called Yggdrasil. The lower level of the tree supported the equivalent of a Norse Underworld, the middle region was called Midgard where mankind lived, and the top level was called the realm of Asgard where the gods resided. There were thought to be eight other worlds that centered on the holy tree, Yggdrasil.
The creation myth that the Norse believed in was also different from what is mainstream in religions today. They believed that the galaxy was created when the Aesir and the Vanir gods and goddesses slayed a giant. While the body of the giant was ripped to pieces the different parts were put into place in order to create the stars, sun, earth, Milky Way, etc.
The Norse used myths to explain natural phenomenon as well. In the myth Loki’s Flyting, Loki is punished by the Aesir for killing Balder, a beloved god. After Loki was captured he was bound by his son Naris’ entrails and the goddess Skaoi took a venomous snake and placed it over Loki’s face to drip poison. Loki’s wife Sigyn holds a bowl over his face, but when the bowl is full she has to leave to empty it allowing poison to hit Loki’s face. Loki writhing in pain from the poison is what the Norse believed caused earthquakes.
The Nordic culture is unique in its own rights. The myths are very bloody and are somewhat confusing in a modern day context. The Norse had a different world view from what we have today, but the basic structure of their society is similar. Norse myth is more relatable to Greek myth then Hindu, Christian, or Native American. Greek myth, like Norse is has a pantheon of gods and goddess, is fairly gruesome, and similar creation myths. If Norse myth gets confusing first compare it Greek to try and understand what the underlying message is.
For Further Reading
Crossley-Holland, K. (1981). The Norse Myths Introduced and Retold. USA: The Pantheon Fairy Tale & Folklore Library. ISBN: 0349748468
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