The creation of the Norse world

by Cory Lutz

Last updated 15 May 2023

In the beginning there was nothing but a void of endless darkness. Scandinavians refer to this as the Ginnungagap, the "gaping abyss" or "yawning void". Somewhere near the center of the void grew a large tree, Yggdrasil "the world tree". One far edge of Gunnungagap grew cold, so cold it formed an entire world of ice known as Niflheim. Niflheim or "land of mist" held rivers that flowed to the world tree keeping it alive. The other far edge of the abyss was scorchingly hot and another world of fire was formed known as Muspelheim. The two elements would meet near the center of the void and cause a cataclysmic reaction of sparks, mist, and ice. Out of this was born the first jötunn "giant", Ymir and a giant sacred cow Auðumla or Audhumla.

Ymir fed on the milk from Audhumla and the cow would feed on the salt deposits of Niflheim. Audhumla would later go on to lick the salt from the frozen ice and rocks of Niflheim eventually revealing the shape of another being. This would be the first god and the begenning of the Aesir gods, Buri. While Ymir was busy starting the bloodline of the jötunn, Buri beget a son Borr whom would wed the giant Bestla and bear three children. These children would include the future leader of the Norse pantheon, Odin.

Odin and his brothers, Vili and Vé, wandered the lifeless and empty void growing bored and restless. Odin knew what must be done. He set out to kill Ymir in order to foster creation. Odin and his brothers stabbed Ymir and from his skin they formed Midgard sometimes referred to as Manna Heim "home of man". From Ymir's blood flowed the great oceans and rivers of Midgard. His skull was used to create the sky and his teeth the rocks of the earth. Ymir's bones would lay rest in Midgard forming the great mountain ranges. Sparks from Muspelheim would create the stars, the moon, and the sun.

Odin and his brothers grew to dislike the giants. From the rushing of Ymir's blood, all but two giants were drowned in massive floods. These two would repopulate the jötunn. This flood would only fuel an existing feud between the Aesir and the giants. Giants were allowed to dwell near the edges of Midgard. However, these primordial beings were notorious for their barbaric and aggressive behavior. Giants would constantly pillage and attack Midgard. Odin and his brothers decided to take Ymir's eyebrows and form an enormous wall around Midgard to protect it from the jötunn.

One day the brothers would wander the coast until they came across two large trees that had been ripped from the ground. They would carve these trees until they took the shape of man and woman. One tree was the great ash tree known for its strength and resilience. The other tree was an elm, known for its grace and beauty. Odin position the logs and began to breathe life into them creating mankind.

With Midgard protected from the giants, Odin and his brothers would create the multitude of creatures, animals, and spirits to inhabit the realm. They would create light elves with their own land and darks elves that dwell beneath the earth. The humans would be created with the purpose of worship. They would create the kingdom of Asgard where they would watch over all of their creations. Odin would beget many children to include Thor the god of thunder and Baldr the god of light. He would go on to rule Asgard and all who inhabit it.