Norse Mythology: Odin, the Chief of the Gods

Study Notes

Odin is the God of war, death, and the heavens, and is also referred to as Alfodr (the All-Father), the father of all gods.
He is the ruler of Asgard, residing in his hall named 'Valaskjalf', and watching over the Nine Realms from his throne named 'Hlidskjalf'.

Odin is married to Frigg, but has many relationships with others and fathered many children, including Thor, Vali, and Tyr.
He has more than a hundred names, including Alfodr, Angan Friggjar, Baleyg, and Ygg.

Odin is often depicted as a mature man with a beard, holding a spear named 'Gungnir', wearing a ring named 'Draupnir', and a helmet with the wings of an eagle.
He is accompanied by his two ravens, named 'Hugin' and 'Munin', which bring him news from Midgard and beyond.
His favorite animals are two wolves, named 'Geri' and 'Freki', which he fed with his daily food.
He rides an eight-legged horse named 'Sleipnir'.

Odin is recognized as a god who is craving for wisdom and knowledge, but often acquires them with a price.
He gave one of his eyes to Mimir (the guardian of the well of wisdom and knowledge) to attain wisdom.
He kept the severed head of Mimir after the Vanir beheaded him at the Æsir-Vanir War, and consulted it when needed.
He hanged himself from the branches of Yggdrasil for nine days, wounded himself with his spear, and starved until he learned the magic runes (alphabet).

Humans, particularly kings and warriors, made human sacrifices to Odin.
His cultural trace still survives, with the name of the day 'Wednesday' coming from the Old English 'Wōdnesdæg', meaning "Odin's Day".
Odin was still worshipped by the Northern Germanic tribes after the spread of Christianity among them.

Odin is the God of war, death, and the heavens, and is also referred to as Alfodr (the All-Father), the father of all gods.
He is the ruler of Asgard, residing in his hall named 'Valaskjalf', and watching over the Nine Realms from his throne named 'Hlidskjalf'.

Odin is married to Frigg, but has many relationships with others and fathered many children, including Thor, Vali, and Tyr.
He has more than a hundred names, including Alfodr, Angan Friggjar, Baleyg, and Ygg.

Odin is often depicted as a mature man with a beard, holding a spear named 'Gungnir', wearing a ring named 'Draupnir', and a helmet with the wings of an eagle.
He is accompanied by his two ravens, named 'Hugin' and 'Munin', which bring him news from Midgard and beyond.
His favorite animals are two wolves, named 'Geri' and 'Freki', which he fed with his daily food.
He rides an eight-legged horse named 'Sleipnir'.

Odin is recognized as a god who is craving for wisdom and knowledge, but often acquires them with a price.
He gave one of his eyes to Mimir (the guardian of the well of wisdom and knowledge) to attain wisdom.
He kept the severed head of Mimir after the Vanir beheaded him at the Æsir-Vanir War, and consulted it when needed.
He hanged himself from the branches of Yggdrasil for nine days, wounded himself with his spear, and starved until he learned the magic runes (alphabet).

Humans, particularly kings and warriors, made human sacrifices to Odin.
His cultural trace still survives, with the name of the day 'Wednesday' coming from the Old English 'Wōdnesdæg', meaning "Odin's Day".
Odin was still worshipped by the Northern Germanic tribes after the spread of Christianity among them.