Germanic MythologyAxel/Alex Crawford

Germanic culture

Collective name used by Julius caesar and other romans to identify barbarian tribes of central Europe.

Not to be confused with the Celts as both sets frequently moved in a complicated series of wars and migrations over several centuries.

according to Caesar the Celts lived west of the Rhine and the Germanic's to the east, although this was most likely inaccurate.

Theology and practices of the Germanic people lasted from the Iron age until Christianization during the medieval period. Beliefs varied upon location. Mostly it was a hodgepodge of Norse, Slavic, Celtic, and Germanic beliefs.

Alphabet/RunesFuthark is derived from the first six letters much as alphabet comes from the greek alpha and beta. Single dot separates words while three dots separates sentences.

Each letter represents a phonetic sound, as well as its own distinct meaning which is used in communicating and later for magical/mystical purposes. Could also be encrypted using lines of the aett’s and the runes placement.

Vegvisir - Icelandic sign post. A magical stave to help the bearer find their way through rough weather. “If this sign is carried, one will never lose one’s way in storms or bad weather, even when the way is not known.”

Yggdrasil - World tree or Tree of Life

Ash tree - considered strongest trees to the germanic and Norse. The first man is made from the trunk and is named Ask.

In old Norse Ygg means terrible one, a frequent name for Odin. Drasil means steed. Yggdrasil is literally Odin’s steed.

Forms the link between the 9 realms: Asgard, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Midgard, Jotunheim, Svartalheim, Nidavellir, Muspellheim, and Niflheim.

An unnamed eagle lives atop the tree and at the bottom is Nidhog the dragon, guardian of the underworlds. A squirrel called Ratatosk

Germanic Deities

Split into two groups. The warlike Aesir and the spiritual Vanir. The Vanir are linked to the sea, lakes, earth, and fertility.

Some Deities shared the same attribute/attributes with other deities.

Nethus - Germanic fertility goddess.

Freya (Vanir)- Norse fertility goddess. Freya and Nethus are believed to be one and the same as their origin is the same.

Hodr (Aesir) - in old Norse means warrior. Not many prayed to him as Odin, Thor, and Tyr were more renowned.

Odin - All-father and chief Aesir

250 different names for Odin. God of war, magic, weather, and creation. Ravens and Wolves are sacred to Odin.

Two ravens and his spear Gungir are always depicted near him. Hugin (thought) and Mugin (memory). They relay news of the world to Odin.

He rides Sleipnir, an eight legged horse and two wolves Freki and Geri are fed scraps from his table

Wôtan: old high German

Wōdanaz: Proto-Germanic

Ódinn: North Germanic

Wōden: West Germanic

Thor - God of Thunder, Lightning, the sky, and war

Known as Donar to the southern germanic.

Thursday is Thor’s day. Donnerstag in German and Thunresdaeg (Thunor’s day) in old english.

Son of Odin and giantess Jörd

Oak is held sacred to Donar

Wields the Hammer Mjöllnir

His Chariot is drawn by two rams Tangnjost and Tanrisnir

Also given a belt of strength that doubles his Ás-strength and Iron gloves that allow him to wield Mjöllnir

Mjöllnir - Donar’s weapon

Depicted in Norse Mythology as one of the most fearsome weapons, capable of leveling mountains. Also possesses the ability to return to Donar’s hand when thrown.

Interpreted to mean that which smashes. Mölva: to smash or molot: mallet are both seen in slavic spellings. In Russian Molniya and in welsh Mellt both mean lightning. Both are representative of Mjöllnir being the weapon of the Storm God Donar.

In old Norse Mjöllnir is often referred to as hamarr (a hammer) but could also mean stone, rock, or cliff.

The creation of Mjöllnir is a popular myth.

Tyr - God of war and Runes

Plays crucial role in the binding of the wolf Fenrir.

The bravest/most daring God.

Ravens and wolves are sacred to Tyr.

Tyr is the old norse spelling. Represented in old english as Tiu or Tig

Ziu in old high German

Zús in middle german means God and is derived from proto-germanic Tiwaz

Popular god for warriors to pray to before battle. A man who does not flinch is “as brave as Tyr”. Tyr is so clever that a clever man is “as wise as Tyr”.

Loki - God of mischief, trickery and deceit

Loki is one of the least favorite gods. HIs mischief in mythology gives the Gods a human quality.

Has the ability to shape shift and possesses magical abilities

Very promiscuous god and spawns the three beings who bring about Ragnarok. Also has a wife and two sons.

By the Jötun (giant) Angrboda Loki fathered Hel, the wolf Fenrir, and the world or Midgard (depending on myth) serpent Jömungandr.

Also fathered (mothered) Odin’s horse Sleipnir by mating with the Stallion Svardilferi

Eventually bound by the gods with the entails of one of his sons

Hel - Goddess of Hel. Daughter of Loki

In old norse Hel means one who covers up or hides something.

Hel is located in Niflheim (Mist home or Mist world)

Those who did not die a heroic or noble death were sent to Hel and became The goddess’s slaves

Holds the God Baldr in her possession. Crucial component of Ragnarok.

Fenrir - The Great wolf

Fenrir was born of the union between Loki and Angrboda

Described as a dire wolf (roughly horse sized) Fenrir was feared by the Gods.

Odin ordered Fenrir to be bound and kept in Asgard.The dwarves were commissioned to build a shackle to contain him.

Two attempts were made before finally shackling him.

For the first two; the Gods flattered Fenrir and played on his ego. The final shackle named Gleipnir (fooler) was a smooth, soft silken ribbon.

Ragnarok - End of the world

Fenrir frees himself from Gleipnir and swallows Odin

Hel’s refusal to release Baldr, diminishes the Gods strength

The Midgard serpent Jömungandr kills Thor. However, There is a myth in which Thor almost succeeds in catching Jömungandr on a bet with a Jötun. Ragnarok is not well explained and is rather confusing as other gods take revenge on their slain brethren. The underlying theme is that it is the end of an era and the beginning of a much darker time.

As Depicted in Modern day

Gods portrayed as superheroes in comics and movies.

Marvel portrays some characters such as Thor and Odin to a fairly accurate degree. There are some major differences though.

Mainly, copies of Mjöllnir are made and ironically deadpool is given one to spite Thor.

Mjöllnir can only be lifted by a worthy individual. It also holds many magical properties to include allowing Thor to fly. Also shown in comics is Mjollnir’s ability to return when thrown. While it is mentioned in myths there is a changing rule set on it’s ability to do so.

In mythology it seems that a being just needs to be strong enough to lift it. there is a myth where Mjöllnir was stolen by giants and Thor, dressed as a woman (at Loki’s advice) went to recover it.

Brief Historical overview

Germany’s coat of arms originated from the holy roman empire. However the black eagle that is depicted comes from Prussia. No black eagles exist in Germany. The Federal republic of Germany readopted the Bundeswappen (federal coat of arms) in 1990 as the state symbol of a reunified Germany. The federal escutcheon (Bundesschild) is used on the German State Flag and on military standards.

Bundeswappen Bundesschild

Works cited"Ancient Scripts: Futhark." Ancient Scripts: Futhark. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.Cavendish, Marshall. Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology. Vol. 7-8. N.p.: Marshall Cavendish, 2005. Print.Franklin, Anna. "Page 1317-1318." Gods, Goddesses, and Mythology Vol 10. London: Vega, 2002. N. pag. Print. Encyclopedia of Fairies.Johnson, Krystal. Guide to the Elder Futhark. N.p.: n.p., 2007. Print.Orchard, Andy. Dictionary of Norse Myth and Legend. Cassell: Wellington House, 1997/1998. Print."The Rune Site." The Rune Site Elder Futhark Rune Meanings Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014."Runic Alphabet   ." Runic Alphabets / Runes / Futhark. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.Sanderson, Nicole. "Write Your Name in Runes." PBS. PBS, 26 Apr. 0011. Web. 28 Apr. 2014.