Illustrations of Norse Mythology: Featuring paintings and pictures of Teutonic and Scandinavian Sagas and the Siegfried and Kalevala Legends. (Ancient Nordic Myths and Legends of the Vikings, Germany, and Scandinavia.) An educational multi-media gallery of realistic Illustrations of Norse Mythology and word paintings by Contemporary American Illustrator Howard David Johnson, whose illustrations of Mythology have been published all over the world by distinguished learning institutions and publishers including the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.

 

A.K.A. Teutonic Mythology - Nordic Mythology - Scandinavian Mythology - Norse Myths - Myths of the Vikings -  Legends of the Aesir and the Jötung

"Lo there, do I see my father- Lo there do I see my mother and my sisters and my brothers - Lo there I do see the line of my people back to the beginning - Lo they do call to me - they bid me to take my place among them - in the hallowed  halls of Valhalla -  where the brave shall live forever!"  

 ~Viking Funeral Prayer (Norway ca.500-1000 A.D.?)

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"The Races and Realms of Teutonic Mythology"

In Norse mythology there are nine worlds. These realms include Asgard (The domain of the Ćsir gods), Vanaheim (Home to the Vanir gods), Midgard (Realms of Mankind), Alfheim (Home of the Alfar or Elves sometimes divided into two realms), Helheim (Icy domain of the non-warrior dead ruled by the goddess Hel), Jotunheim (Land of the Jotuns, or Frost Giants), Nifleheim (the cold realm at the base of the World Tree), Nidavellir or Svartalfheim (the land of the Dwarves). The molten region called Muspel, or Muspelheim, dwelling place of the Fire Giants and their king the powerful giant Surtur.

"Odin and Sleipnir" MMXIII

Odin, The All-Father    

 Odin, the supreme Norse god, was the son of Borr and Bestla and gave one of his eyes for wisdom. He was king of the Aesir (Ćsir, Asynur pl. pronounced "eye-seer") and lord of Asgard. He was also the god of war, wisdom, magic, poetry, prophecy, victory and the hunt. Odin was called by more than 200 different names revealing his many roles. Among others, he was known as Yggr (terror), Sigfodr (father of Victory) and Alfodr (All Father). When he went out to battle he rode an eight legged horse named Sleipnir. His weapon of choice was a magical spear called Gungnir, fashioned by the dwarfs that returns when thrown and always hits its target.   His Old High German name was "Wôtan", in Old English "Wōden", and Old Anglo Saxon"Wôdan" Wednesday (Woden's day) was named for him. In the  Völuspá, a völva chronicles the creation of the first human beings Ask and Embla by Odin and his brothers Hśnir and Lóđurr.  His sons were Thor, Loki , Tyr by Erda and Baldur by Frigg among others. He was called "The wanderer" because he loved to travel the nine worlds disguised as an ordinary man  but was also known for shape shifting into animal forms. He was often accompanied by two wolves Geri and Freki (Old Norse: "the ravenous" and "greedy one") These Wolf-warriors, were not mere animals but mythical beings: as Odin's loyal allies they bodied forth his might. He had two ravens, thought and memory fly to and fro in the Earth and report the activities of men to him in his Gladshiem, the grandest of Aesir palaces. The Ćsir Gods were strong, beautiful and big compared to ordinary people. They lived longer than the humans, but were not immortal.

Thor, the god of Thunder

The Mighty Thor, who was known primarily as the thunder god was also the Norse god of war and agriculture.  he was among the great gods of the Aesir, second only to Odin, his father. His mother was Fiörgyn the beautiful giantess, and Loki, his half-brother, was a frequent companion on his adventures. His name is the Teutonic word for thunder, outside the Teutonic areas, he has close affinities with Jupiter or Zeus. He was worshipped as Thunor, or Thonar in ancient England. 

His hammer, also created by the dwarfs, was aptly called Mjölnir (crusher ) was as destructive as the thunderbolts of Zeus in punishing wrongdoers.  It was the most potent weapon against the Frost Giants, Fire Trolls and other enemies. When Thor hurled it, it returned to his hand after hitting it's target. When Thor put on his magic belt his already enormous strength was doubled. The creators of these marvels, the Dwarfs were a class of clever supernatural beings not unlike elves and fairies, noted for skill at metalworking and serving the gods.         

Thor, is for whom Thursday or Thor's day was originally named. He was apparently more widely worshipped than any other god by the ancient Norsemen. The evolution of the popular Thor Mythology continues to this day in comic books, video games, and  motion pictures.

"Thor the god of Thunder"

"Surtur, King of the Fire Trolls"

Surtur, The King of the Fire Giants

 Surtur (Surtr) was said by some to be the son of Múspell, founder of Muspelhiem the volcanic, smoldering and glowing and burning southern region of the first world, yet other legends say he was the first living being in the nine worlds, created from the primal fires. He was the king of the Fire Trolls (or Demons or Giants as they were called). The gigantic warrior kept a vigil in the lava pits of the volcanoes on the outlying regions to defend the land against intruders. He carried a massive glowing enchanted sword, hot as molten embers and his fingers could turn into deadly serpents. He had many children ranging from huge and grotesque to normal sized and beautiful. Some sources say Loki, the god of fire and mischief was one of his descendants. They rarely fought with  the Ćsir as the Storm Giants did.

Some say Surtur melted the ice to reveal Audhumla the cow and to create the first frost giant Ymir in the creation saga. These believe Sartur is both the beginning and the end of all life. At the end of the World (Ragnarok) the army of Múspell with Surtr as its general shall storm the rainbow bridge Bifrost and it will collapse. The battle will take place on the field of Vígríđr, with Heimdallr blowing mightily in the Gjallar-Horn to awaken all the gods. In the epic carnage all the gods will die along with the giants, Fenris Wolf and the Midgard Serpent. At the end, Surtr is the one to kill Freyr. The last gods standing will be Loki and Heimdall who will slay one another. Then straightway shall Surtr cast fire over the earth and burn all the world.

Frigg takes oaths from all living creatures

   Frigg, Queen of Asgard and wife of Odin, mother to Baldur and step mother to Thor, Tyr, Hermodr, Hödur, and Bragi was first and foremost among the Asynjur or Norse goddesses. She was the only one who could sit with Odin on his throne, Hlidskjalf (located in Valaskjalf), and look down on everything that transpired in the universe. She was a prophetess who spun the clouds. Her name means beloved lady in the Old Norse Frigg (Friggjar), Old Saxon Fri, and Old English Frig are derived from Common Germanic Frijjō 'wife; dearest, beloved one. The weekday Friday is named for her.

One morning, she awoke from a hideous nightmare. She had seen Hel, the Goddess who rules the underworld, take Baldur into her realm. Baldur had also been tormented by frightful dreams foretelling his doom. So Odin called the ancient prophetess, Wala, from her grave to divine what was behind the dreams. He asked her who was next to enter the realm of Hel, and her answer was "It is Baldur, the noble one, who is next for Hel, and Hödur, his blind brother, will be the bringer of his death." 

So the Aesir counseled on forestalling Baldur's death. Odin decreed that every creature in heaven and on earth must swear an oath to never harm Baldur. Queen Frigg  personally oversaw the administration of the oaths. Fire and water, dwarfs, giants, and elves, humankind, and all plants and animals swore it, everything save little mistletoe which she perceived was too young to be a threat, and Baldur was rendered invulnerable.

"Frigg takes oaths from all living creatures"

"Baldur, the Shining One"

The Death of Baldur

Baldur, son of Odin and Frigga and brother to Thor and Tyr, was the  handsomest and noblest of the Gods. Forever young, he was the God of Peace and Forgiveness, Light and Spring, of all things Right and Good, Just and fair, Noble Baldur was the best loved among all the Aesir. 

Loki, the backbiter, had taken part in the Aesir's council. As the gods amused themselves throwing weapons at Baldur, who could not be harmed, Loki shape-shifted into the guise of an old beggar woman, knowing that he could arouse the sympathy of Frigg. He wrested her secret: An oak tree, outside the gates to Valhalla, had a bush of mistletoe. The tiny sprig had seemed so meek and harmless to Frigg that it had not been included in the oath. Loki hurried to the oak tree where he cut a twig from the mistletoe, and returned to the game with Baldur. The blind Hödur lamented to Loki: "How can  I Shoot what I can't see?" "Take up your bow and ready yourself," said Loki, "and here is your arrow." He handed Hödur the mistletoe arrow point  and guided his hand. Hödur joyfully fired his shot. Mortally wounded, Baldur sank to the ground. The horrible prophecy of Wala had come true. Only the prophesy protected Hödur from the deadly wrath of the Gods. 

So the Gods prepared a funeral for their beloved Baldur. Never before had Asgard or Midgard suffered such deep mourning. They erected a funeral pyre on Baldur's own ship, Ringhorn. As Thor set torch to the pyre, he 
kicked a dwarf into the inferno in his anger. Baldur would not go to Valhalla, for he had not died a warrior's death, he would go to HEL.

Hermodr pleads wih HEL for Baldur

  The Aesir all loved Thor's beautiful brother, Baldur. All except Loki, the god of mischief who found his "Achilles heel"- mistletoe and a way to exploit it by fashioning an arrow point to kill him. Sick with grief, the gods sent noble Nermodr, his brother with Odin's eight legged steed, Sleipnir to Hel to plead for his return. Hel, ruler of the underworld was Loki's daughter and none too pleased with her and her sibling's treatment at Odin's hands.  Hel conceded, if every living being would shed at least one tear for Baldur, she would return him. Hermod returned to the world of the living and told the Aesir of the agreement. They managed to get every creature in the nine worlds to grieve, except for one giantess named Thokk, who was really Hel's father Loki in disguise. Because of this, Balder would remain in Nifilheim until Ragnarok. Hermod returned to the living world and informed the gods of the agreement. The gods managed to get all things in the nine worlds to grieve, except for one giantess named Thokk, who was really Hel's father Loki in disguise. Because of Loki's act, Balder would remain in Nifilheim until Ragnarok. Other names she was known by were Hell and Hella. She was also described as being both black as night and white as snow.

 Note the ancient sun disk symbol, the swastika which was not in any way associated with anti-semitism or racism and was used much like the ancient Japanese indigenous aboriginal tribes of America and the Asian Indians.

"Hermodr Before Hel" MMXIII

Fafnir, the Storm Giant

"Fafnir, the Storm Giant" MMXIII

The Protectors of the Earth 

"The Giant Killers" MMXI

    "Fafnir, the Storm Giant" [above left] and "The Giant Killers" [above right] featuring the All-father, Odin, the father of victory and the king of the Norse pantheon. He is also associated with war, Cunning, trickery, magic and poetry among many other things. He is shown with his magical spear Gungir fashioned by the dwarfs shouldered and accompanied by his pet wolves and Ravens. His son Thor, the god of thunder Old High German Donar- from whom Thor's day AKA Thursday is named is shown with his mighty hammer Mjolnir. Also accompanying them is Loki, half-giant [Jotunn] and half-Aesir. Loki's parentage has been the subject of scholarly debate for centuries. He was the god of fire and mischief and father of Hel and Fenrir the Wolf. [below].The All-father and his companions are shown here on horseback in the snowy mountains of Jotunheimr, one of the nine worlds of Nordic cosmology on an expedition to Utgard, hunting for their mortal enemies, the Giants.

   "Utgard was the Asgard of the Giants. But in its buildings there was not a line of the beauty that there was in the palaces of the Gods, Gladsheim and Breidablik or Fensalir. Huge but shapeless the buildings arose, like mountains or icebergs. O beautiful Asgard with the dome above it of the deepest blue! Asgard with the clouds around it heaped up like mountains of diamonds! Asgard with its Rainbow Bridge and its glittering gates! O beautiful Asgard, could it be indeed that these Giants would one day overthrow you?" from The Children of Odin, by Padraic Colum 1920

Loki and his Children

  Loki, son of Odin was a paradox, beloved by the Aesir but also their greatest source of grief. He was a master sorcerer, a shape shifter appearing as a salmon,a mare, seal, a fly, and a crone. Also known as Loptr, or Hveđrungr, Loki is both Aesir (Norse god) and Jötunn (giant) He is father to Hel, ruler of the underworld, the wolf Fenrir, and the world serpent Jörmungandr all by his first wife, the giantess Angrboda. By his beautiful Aesir wife Sigyn, he fathered Narfi and/or Nari and by the stallion Svađilfari, acting as mother while in the form of a mare to the eight-legged horse Sleipnir. He is also listed as the father of Váli in the Prose Edda.

       Fenrir was the eldest and took the form of a wolf while his younger brother Jörmungandr took the form of a serpent and his younger sister Hel was both half alive and dead. The Aesir feared them all and seized them in the dead of night from Angrboda's hall. They brought the three monsters back to Asgard where they threw Jörmungandr into the waters that surround Midgard and Hel into Niflheim where she rules until Ragnarok.  Hel will make her last stand at the twilight of the gods when she brings up her hoard of dead out of Nifilheim to join Loki and the other giants in the final battle of Ragnarok. Unlike her brothers Fenrir the Wolf and Jörmungandr the Serpent, we are not told how she will meet her end on the field of Vigrid.

"Loki and his Children" MMXIII

"The Temptation of Iđunn" MMXIII

Iđunn and the Golden Apples

       Iđunn,  Idunn, (means "forever young" pr. EE-doon aka Iduna, Idunna or Ithun) was the goddess of youth, fertility and regeneration as well as the wife of Bragi. Iđunn appears in the Poetic Edda poem Lokasenna and appears in some modern editions of the Poetic Edda, in the late poem Hrafnagaldr Óđins. The Aesir maintained their immortality by eating the golden apples of the sweet and beautiful goddess Iđunn. The giants coveted her apples and while on an expedition with Odin one of them captured Loki in the form of a giant eagle and terrified him into promising to trick Idunn into coming to a place where they could kidnap her by taking him in his claws and flying miles in the air and threatening to throw him to his death. 

   Of course Loki succeeded in tempting her with lies of even more sumptuous apples than hers and it turned into more of a disaster than even he feared. The Aesir quickly began to grow old and gray and their wrath was so fierce Loki took Freyja's flying cloak and sought to rescue Iđunn from the land of Jötunheimr. Iđunn had refused to give the apples to the Jötuns and when they took them by force they did not work, they found they must come from her hand with her blessing to bestow their gifts. Loki found her and rescued her - flying back to Asgard in a frenzied race that led to of all things- a wedding contest with a giantess, but that's other story.

 The Binding of Fenrir

Fenrisúlfr (Old Norse: "Fenris wolf") The Binding of Fenrir, or How Tyr lost his hand. Tyr was the Viking god of war, Justice and heroic glory and portrayed with only one hand. He was also the brother of Thor and son of Odin and renowned for his swordsmanship. Tacitus called him the German Mars. After the Norn sisters prophesied that the Fenrir Wolf would set Ragnarok in motion, Odin was saddened. He loved the playful cub as a favorite. The Völva also foretells that Odin will be consumed by Fenrir at Ragnarök: "Then is fulfilled Hlín's second sorrow, when Óđinn goes to fight with the wolf, and Beli's slayer, bright, against Surtr. Then shall Frigg's
sweet friend fall." The Aesir tried to shackle him but he broke their strongest chains with ease. Every effort to retrain him failed. The dwarfs were then called upon to fashion a magical ribbon they called Gleipnir. It appeared quite ordinary but was made of six wondrous ingredients: the roots of a mountain, the sound of a cat's footstep, the beard of a woman, bear's sinews, bird's saliva and fish's breath.  Fenrir's pride was equaled only by his strength and he was dared into a contest to break the cord. Fearing treachery he insisted someone put their hand in his mouth to ensure fair play. Only Tyr was brave enough to accept the wolf's challenge and when Fenrir realized he had been tricked he became enraged and bit off Tyr's hand and swallowed it in an instant! The Aesir banished Loki's other children but kept a close eye on the mighty Fenrir Wolf keeping him in Asgard.

"The Binding of the Fenris Wolf"

"The Dragon Níđhöggr" MMXI

The Dragon Níđhöggr

   "The Dragon Níđhöggr" (nēd'hśg-arr) is another illustration based on the prose and poetic Edda of Norse mythology, compiled and written in the 13th century from surviving traditional sources by Snorri Sturluson.  Here the serpent is shown in an icy subterranean cavern roaring in defiance before returning to gnawing at the root of the world tree, named Yggdrasill.  In Norse myth, Nidhoggr or"the tearer of corpses" is a gigantic and monstrous serpent-like creature that gnaws continually and persistently at the deepest root of the World Tree, threatening to destroy it. The serpent is always bickering with the eagle that resides near the highest part of the tree. Nidhoggr lies on Nastrond in Miflhiem and eats corpses to sustain itself. It is not the only serpent whose mission it is to destroy the World Tree; the other dragons include Grafvolluth, Graback, Goin and Moin.

   Yggdrasill (Old Norse: Ig-ID-rass-il). The immense world tree is at the very center and heart of Norse cosmology; and surrounding the tree are nine worlds. The gigantic ash tree is extremely sacred. The gods go to Yggdrasil daily to hold court. The branches of Yggdrasil reach up into the heavens, and the tree is fed by three roots that extend far away; one to the well Urđarbrunnr, one to the spring Hvergelmir, and another to the well Mímisbrunnr. Many creatures live within Yggdrasil, including the wyrm (dragon) Níđhöggr, Odin's mystical eagle, and the stags Duraţrór, Dáinn, Dvalinn, and Duneyrr .

Freyja, Fairest of the Asynjur

   Freyja, (Freya, Freyia) in Norse mythology, the goddess of love and beauty and sister of Frey. (There are other spellings and variations depending on various geographical locations.) She was the northern Venus and the most beautiful of all the Nordic goddesses.  She was married to Odur the god of sunshine, but he left her to roam in distant lands. She followed him, weeping teardrops that changed to gold in the rocks and amber in the sea. She was highly prized by everyone in the nine worlds for her charm and beauty. Freyja was unexpectedly demanded as a wife in payment by the Giant who built the walls around Asgard and trades were offered for her hand in marriage. 

      As Valfrya, she also rode to the battlefield in her chariot, there to claim the slain. These she feasted in her great banqueting hall while Odin, chief god of the Aesir, transported all the others to Valhalla. 

   Some sources say it is Freyja that provided the Aesir with the golden apples that ensured their eternal youth and power (not Iđunn). Freyja's abduction by the shape shifting Storm Giant Fafner and his brother Fasolt after the completion of Valhalla was devastating to the Aesir, who begin aging at once. When she was captured by Fafnir and Fasolt the Jötung and held hostage in demand for the Ring of the Nibelung her abscence caused the gods to begin to grow old and die; to fade into legend. "The Twilight of the gods". In later mythology, Freyja is often confused with Frigg, Odin's wife.

"Freyja, the goddess of love and beauty" MMII

"Erda, wife of Odin, Mother of Thor" MMII

Erda, Queen of the Aesir

Erda, Odin's wife was an Earth goddess of ancient wisdom. A giantess. An earth-goddess and goddess of wisdom. Daughter of Annar and Nott. Daughter of Odin, some say. First wife of Odin. Mother of Thor. In some stories, she is the daughter of the giantess Fiorgyn and the mother of Frigga, in others she is Fiorgyn. In some accounts, she was one of the Asynjur.  She is also called Jord, Jordh, and Fiorgyn(n). 

The original Valkyries were Odin and Erda's nine beautiful daughters, who rode winged horses down a rainbow bridge to Earth to collect the souls of the bravest warriors to share in the fellowship of the great hall of the dead- Valhalla.  Later their numbers were added to with the finest of mortal women and others. Those strong and beautiful women whom Odin favored, also served unlimited meat and drink all night to the Viking slain, these fallen, called the einherjar would fight all day training for Ragnarok, the great end times battle and then be healed of their wounds only to do it all again, growing ever sharper in Odin's army. The name Valkyrie comes from the Old Norse Valkyrja meaning "chooser of the slain") and they actually did often determine who lived and died on the battlefield. Scholars have suggested kinships and similarities between the Valkyries, the Norns, the Dísir, Germanic Seeresses, and Shield maidens.

The Valkyries

"Valkyrie Maiden" (MMX mixed media)

Die Götterdämmerung" (MMXIII mixed media)

"The Epic of Beowulf"

 "On my Honor" Featuring the Legendary Norse hero, Beowulf. (or Bjolfr in Icelandic)

  "The Epic of Beowulf " is easily the most precious relic of Old English and of all early Germanic Literature. It has come down to us intact and well preserved in a manuscript dated ca. 1000 A.D. and is in the British Museum in London today.

The Subject of the Poem is the exploits of the Viking Warrior Beowulf, son of Egtheow and nephew of Hygelac, King of the Geatas, which Scandanavian records tell us resided in Gautar, in southern Sweden.

Beowulf and 14 companions sailed to Denmark to pledge his protection to Hrothgar, King of the Danes, whose hall (called Heorot and pictured to the left) has been rendered uninhabitable by the ravages of a devouring monster in human form named Grendel, (Grinder) who dwelt in the wastelands and under cover of night forced entrance to the hall and slaughtered the inhabitants. The Danes retired to safety while Beowulf and his fellows feasted in the hall and waited to face Grendel alone. Beowulf tore his arm from his shoulder, mortally wounding him and tracked him to the lair of his mother the Sea Hag and slew her as well after she had retaliated  for Grendel's death. Richly rewarded by the king he returned home to a throne of his own and ruled prosperously for 50 years until he did battle with a ferocious and terrifying fire breathing Dragon. He overcame it but suffered a mortal wound in the struggle. Amid great lamentation he was placed on a great funeral pyre and burned and the Dragon's treasure was buried along with his ashes.

      ~  Some key sources include: R.P. Wilker; Grundriss der Angelsachsischen Litteratur (1882) and Beowulf, Untersuchungen uber das Angelsachsische Epos (1889) G.Sarrazin Beowulf-studien (1888) R.W. Chambers, Beowulf, An introduction to the Poem (1921)

"The Ring Cycle"

"Whosoever will renounce love and make a ring from the gold will rule the world."

    The enormously popular "Lord of the Rings" is largely based on the 13th century Nibelungenlied saga from a Middle High German epic poem. It also draws upon the varying folklore of Northern Europe. Odin was the Scandinavian father god and his favorite mortal  was Siegfried (or Sigurd in the Volsunga Saga from Iceland) and is the chief hero and Dragon Slayer of all Norse Mythology.

   Due to the oral traditions of the Nordic Tribes before the coming of a standard written language several versions still exist of the same stories. In one version, Siegfried is the prince of the Netherlands who acquires the treasure of the Nibelungs by killing it's quarrelsome custodians in a cavern. He visits the court of Queen Brünhild of Iceland, who has vowed only to marry a man that can best her. Siegfried bests her by trickery, then infuriates her by departing without marrying her.  An epic tale of heroism and treachery, romance and revenge, The Ring of the Nibelung or The Nibelungenlied has entertained listeners and readers for centuries. 

    It is best known to modern audiences as the source for The Ring Cycle - a series of four operas in the 1860's by Richard Wagner;   "Die Nibelungenlied" or The song of the Nibelung: The Rhiengold, The Valkyrie, Sigfried, and The Twilight of the gods. "The Ride of the Valkyries", Opera prelude has always been an inspiration to me and remains one of my favorites. 

"Valkyrie Maiden" (MMX version mixed media)

  Here in "Valkyrie Maiden" ( above right) We see a Valkyrie approaching a battlefield to claim the valiant dead and take them to Valhalla, the home of the Norse gods to commune with Odin, Thor and other noteables of the pantheon...

"Kreimhilde's Revenge" the MVI version (Mixed Media)

    In the Wagnerian Opera version, Siegfried fell passionately in love with Brünhilde, who was Odin's daughter and captain  of the Valkyries.  Unlike the Greek & Roman myths, these Norse myths vary drastically in details, names, and spellings depending on their country of origin due to the use of oral tradition rather than written language. 

     The Silent films "Seigfreid" and Kreimhild's Revenge" from the German expressionist cinema movement are still amazing works of art and highly enjoyable to watch today. I was astonished when I first saw them how different the story was than the one I was familiar with. They influenced me a great deal but not as much as the Wagnerian version I met through the illustrations of the great Arthur Rackham. His work has influenced me more than any other.

   The same early legends and semi- historical accounts gave birth to all the different variations. These diverse orators hailed from  the British Isles, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Iceland, Holland, Denmark, Russia, Finland, and even Flemish-speaking communities in Italy and France as well as faraway lands such as America and Africa due to wide-spread migration.

Das Rheingold ( The Rhine Gold ). For eons the Rhine maidens guarded the gold that gleams on a rock above the Rhine River. Alberich, one of the Nibelung dwarfs, steals the gold. His bother, mime, makes the ring. Odin ( Wotan, Woten ) king of the gods tricks the Nibelungs out of the ring. He gives it to the  giants, Fasolt and Fafnir for building the home of the gods, Valhalla high above the clouds. Alberich screams a death curse on the ring. Odin then sought to have his earth-son Siegmund regain the ring from Fafnir, the Storm giant who had earlier kidnapped Freyja and had transformed himself into a dragon with a magic helmet. Erda predicts the fall of the gods if Alberich regains the ring. The Norse gods were not all- powerful.

Die Walküre ( The Valkyrie )

       The captain of the Valkyries was Brünhilde, the eldest. From the fields of battle they carried slain heroes up to Valhalla. Every day the slain would do battle on the great plain, and every night, their wounds would heal. Odin often joined them in the feasting and drinking of mead, a strong form of alcohol. Human sacrifice to the gods was also a part of the practice of this ancient religion. 

While seeking the ring, Brünhilde was commanded by Odin to protect Siegmund from Hundling, his rival. Siegmund  and Hundling's wife Sieglinde fell in love and the goddess of marriage complelled Odin to protect Hundling. In pity for Siegmund, Brünhilde guards him. Odin then helps Hundling slay Siegmund. to punish Brünhilde, Odin puts her to sleep on a rock surrounded by fire, not to awaken until a hero claims her. Sieglinde, carrying the pieces of Siegmund's magic sword, Nöthung, escapes to take refuge near Fafnir's cave, where she will give birth to Sigfried.

"Siegfried and Brünhilde" [MMIII mixed media]

" The Immolation of "Brünhilde" [MMXIII 

Die Götterdämmerung (The Twilight of the gods )

   Later, when Brünhilde sends Siegfried on a Rhine journey he meets the sons of Alberich the nibelung, Hagen, Gunther, and Gutrune. He is tricked into drinking a potion by Hagen that destroys his memory and then he is deceived into betraying Brünhilde.  He regains his memory and is stabbed in the back by Hagen. Gunther was then killed in a struggle for the ring. When Brünhilde learns that Siegfried had been tricked into betraying her, she takes the ring from his finger and rides up onto his funeral pyre. In this picture above, she takes pause to look back and see Valhalla burning in the distance and knows the gods are destroyed.  

Other legends of the ancient Teutons...

THE REVENGE OF KRIEMHILDE:

  The Lady Kriemhilde (A.K.A. Grimhild, Hild, Brünhild) Her name means ‘armored warrior woman’ and the English word Grim derives from her name too. In her earliest legends she was originally a daemonic mythical figure representing darkness and death.

Like the legendary King Arthur, she was also a historical figure, wife of Attila the Hun and sister of Gunther. (453 A.D.) She marries Attila in one reliable historical account and kills him in revenge for the death of her former husband on their wedding night.

I have illustrated her here in the 13th century Middle High German mythic version preparing to confront her cowardly brothers with her dead husband’s shield and sword, demanding action! Siegfried was the Nordic people’s greatest hero and chief dragonslayer his story is similar to The Iliad and the Odessey of the Greeks. In another version she demands revenge for her murdered father. She is depicted here as the heroine of the The Nibelungenlied, greatest epic of Teutonic Mythology.