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In Norse cosmology, Niflheim or Niflheimr (Old Norse: [ˈnivlˌhɛimz̠]; "World of Mist", [1] literally "Home of Mist") is a location which sometimes overlaps with the notions of Niflhel and Hel. The name Niflheimr appears only in two extant sources: Gylfaginning and the much-debated Hrafnagaldr Óðins.
Niflheim, in Norse mythology, the cold, dark, misty world of the dead, ruled by the goddess Hel. In some accounts it was the last of nine worlds, a place into which evil men passed after reaching the region of death (Hel). Situated below one of the roots of the world tree, Yggdrasill, Niflheim.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Dec 28, 2022 · In Old Norse cosmology, Niflheim or Niflheimr means “World” or “Home of Mist.” The Islandic word for“mist” is nifl and is a linguistic cognate to the Old English word nifol (“dark” or “gloomy”), the Middle Dutch nevel, the Old High German nebul (“fog”), and the Ancient Greek νεφέλη (“cloud”).
- Understanding Norse Cosmology
- Niflheim: A Realm Apart from Hel Or Helheim
- The Landscape of Niflheim
- Hvergelmir: The Roaring Well
- Niflheim in The Eddas
- Interpretations and Symbolism of Niflheim
- Parting Thoughts
Let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture of Norse cosmology. At the dawn of time, there were two realms: Muspelheim, a realm of heat and fire, and Niflheim, a realm of ice and mist. These two realms existed in isolation, separated by a vast void known as Ginnungagap. Now, imagine the sparks from Muspelheim meeting the ice of Niflheim i...
In my opinion, there is a common misconception that often arises in discussions about Norse mythology. That is when Niflheim and Hel, or alternatively Helheim or Niflhel, are all lumped together as one realm. Niflheim, or Niflheimr, really only exists in the stories told by Snorri Sturluson in Gylfaginning, part of his Prose Edda. Niflhel, however,...
Imagine, if you will, standing at the northernmost tip of Norway, where the Arctic Ocean stretches out before you, a vast expanse of icy water. The air is so cold it takes your breath away, and the ground beneath your feet is hard with frost. Now, imagine that the sun never rises, that you’re enveloped in a perpetual twilight, the sky above you a t...
At the heart of Niflheim lies Hvergelmir, the roaring well. This well is the source of all the rivers in Niflheim, a beacon of life in the midst of the frosty desolation. But the waters of Hvergelmir are not like the waters we’re used to. They’re not fed by rain or melting snow, but by the liquid that drips from the antlers of Eikthyrnir. He is a g...
Niflheim is only mentioned in the Gylfaginning section of the Prose Edda, the manuscript written by Snorri Sturluson around 1220’s. In this text, Niflheim is depicted as a realm of frost and mist, a place of primal power. Together with Muspelheim it sets the stage for the very creation of the cosmos. It’s interesting to note that Niflheim is absent...
In the grand tapestry of Norse cosmology, Niflheim is a symbol of primal forces and the harsh realities of nature. It’s a realm of frost and mist, a stark contrast to the fiery Muspelheim. This duality reflects the Norse understanding of the world: a balance of opposing forces, a dance of fire and ice. In comparison to the other realms, Niflheim re...
In conclusion, Niflheim is a realm of frost and mist, a place of primal power and ancient wisdom. It’s one of the two primordial realms in Norse mythology, standing in stark contrast to the fiery Muspelheim. Despite the common misconceptions, Niflheim is a distinct entity from Hel, otherwise sometimes called Helheim. and Helheim. It is challenging ...
Niflheim (pronounced “NIF-el-hame;” from Old Norse Niflheimr, “World of Fog”) is one of the Nine Worlds of Norse mythology and the homeland of primordial darkness, cold, mist, and ice. As such, it’s the opposite cosmological principle of Muspelheim, the world of fire and heat.
Niflheimr (Old Norse = 'the dark home') is one of The Nine Worlds. It is situated in the icy north and it existed even before the creation of the world. Niflheimr is separated from the fiery world Muspellsheimr by Ginnungagap.
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In Norse cosmology, Niflheim or Niflheimr (Old Norse: [ˈnivlˌhɛimz̠]; "World of Mist", [1] literally "Home of Mist") is a location which sometimes overlaps with the notions of Niflhel and Hel. The name Niflheimr appears only in two extant sources: Gylfaginning and the much-debated Hrafnagaldr Óðins.
