Online Class: Norse Mythology 101

Norse Narratives: A Deep Dive into the Viking Vision of the Universe

Thor, Odin, Valhalla – these names resonate with a sense of ancient power and mystique, but how much do we truly know about the ethereal world they encompass? Step back in time and immerse yourself in the enchanting realm of the Norse – the audacious Vikings, the resplendent Scandinavians, civilizations that once etched their indomitable spirit across the annals of history. Theirs is a tapestry woven with threads of faith, legend, and valor that has left even the most astute historians spellbound.

Marvel at a religious panorama that flourished for over a millennium, a testament to its profound impact, given that its tenets remained unwritten. Ponder on the enduring legacy of Norse gods, figures that, though no longer objects of mainstream worship, continue to captivate our collective consciousness.

Embark on a voyage into the heart of Norse ethos where valor and epic adventures eclipse conventional morality. Envision a realm where fiery wolves roam with menace, only to meet their fate at the hands of mere mortals. It's a world of paradoxes where life melds with death, battles resonate with peace, and gods confront mortality. Delve into the foundations of Viking spirituality, from treacherous oceanic quests to rituals as profound as human sacrifice. Walk the revered pathways of Uppsala, sensing the might of Thor's hammer with every step. Experience the grandeur of Valhalla in all its glory and discover the valiant deeds believed to earn one a place in that celestial hall.

Have you ever been intrigued by the worldview of some of history's most intrepid voyagers? Seek answers as you traverse through their eyes, unveiling secrets of a culture rich in myths, might, and mystery. Join us on this exhilarating exploration of the Norse narrative, and satiate your curiosity like never before!

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Course Motivation

You approach the temple, and within it you see three grand statues. In the middle, an imposing male figure stands holding what appears to be an upside-down cross and on either side of him, two other deities. You have come upon the Temple of Uppsala, one of the most spiritual sites of the Norse empire, and are standing before the image of Thor, flanked by the gods Odin and Freyr. Turning around to look out the door, you see people gathering, pulling livestock into the grove and building pyres. This evening the community will celebrate by slaying the animals and even hanging their fellow men from the trees outside by their necks. It has been nine years since the last Walpurgis festival, which paid homage to Odin's nine days of torment hanging from the Yggdrasil, the World Tree (or the tree of life).

Names within this ancient story, Odin, Thor, Freyr, even the Yggdrasil, are in popular use today. The Yggdrasil tree is, for example, a central plot point many of the games that compose the Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest video game series that has sold nearly 60 million games with 26 total games in the series, making it the third best-selling role-playing game (RPG) series of all time. A film based on the comic book character, Thor, who himself is based on the Norse god, raked in nearly $450 million worldwide in 2011. Odin is also a comic book character today, and a common character in the Final Fantasy RPG video game series, the best-selling series of all time. Odin is said to be the inspiration for J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings character, Gandalf.  

While we still pay homage to the Norse deities and places of worship in popular culture, we also still follow many of the traditions that originated with the Norse people. Christmas, for example, is celebrated during the same time as the Norse festival of Jul (Yul), the Norse New Year; the exchanging of gifts on Christmas morning, a Jul tradition; the lighting of the Yule log, a Jul tradition; the hanging of mistletoe, a Jul tradition. Jul was celebrated between December 20 and December 31 -- 12 days, just like the 12 days of Christmas (though we now finish on the 25^th). The holiday season is called Christmas today, because the god Freyr was replaced by Jesus Christ during the conversion of the Norse people to Christianity. 

The festival started with the children of Norse towns leaving their shoes outside of their doors filled with oats and other feed for Odin's great horse, Sleipnir (which had eight (8) legs, to feed from as he rode throughout the land on the evening of December 20^th, an event called the Wild Ride. In exchange, the children would each receive a treat, a celebration that continues today with the leaving of cookies for our modern Santa Claus, in order to receive stocking stuffers; or, in a more direct homage, carrots for Santa's reindeer in the slippers of children in Northern Europe.