Guide: How to Distinguish Characters in Norse Mythology
The previous blog post reveals the basic guide to distinguish Norse gods and goddesses in Norse mythology. In this blog post, we are to learn how to distinguish other characters in Norse mythology.
Loki the Mischievous
The truth is that it remains unknown whether Loki was a god or not because his family background is still obscure. Many claimed he was the son of a god while others believed he came from Jotunheim the land of the giant. Therefore, we don't list Loki in the previous blog post about gods.
- Mischievous deeds: Loki was a troublemaker up in Asgard. Wherever you see a picture of a man doing something nasty, it's Loki. For example, a man throwing an arrow towards other (in the Death of Baldur) or a man cutting the beautiful hair of a goddess (in the Creation of Mjolnir hammer), it's Loki.
- Hooked nose: Loki often appeared in drawing with a hooked nose.
- Snake: Loki appeared to be a man bound with a snake placed above his head. After killing Baldur, Loki was punished inside a cave, being bound to the rock and a snake placed above his head dropping venom onto his face causing him in pain.
Fenrir the Beast Wolf
In the past, Fenrir was hated the most by many readers. However, in the modern sense, readers started to shift their opinions about Fenrir doubting whether Fenrir was originally evil or pushed by gods.
- Giant wolf: the only thing to distinguish Fenrir and other creatures was his size. When Fenrir opened his mouth, he nearly swallowed everything from heaven to the earth.
- Sword thrust through jaws: to bind Fenrir, the gods fettered him with a magical chain. They thrust a sword to seal the mouth of Fenrir so that he would not swallow anything. Until Ragnarok, Fenrir finally broke himself free.
Jormungand the Midgard Serpent
Jormungand was a son of Loki and the sibling of Fenrir and Hel.
- Encircling the world: Jormungand was the most enormous serpent in Norse mythology. He grew up to the size that he could encircle the whole Midgard with his body and his mouth biting his own tail.
Hel the Queen of Underworld
Hel was the daughter of Loki and sibling of both Fenrir and Jormungand. She was the only child of Loki that possessed a quite normal appearance while other siblings were animal-like.
- Half flesh half blue: Hel the Queen had the appearance of a woman with half flesh-coloured half blue skin.
Surtr the giant of fire
Surtr the giant was the ruler of Muspelheim the land of fire in Norse mythology. In Ragnarok, Surtr fought off Freyr Norse god of summer and fertility.
- Fire and blazing sword: Simply search "Surtr", everything you can find has the image of fire. The blazing sword that Surtr had was his symbol because Surtr wielded his blazing sword to set the whole world on fire. It also marked the end of Ragnarok.
Aegir and Ran the Couple of Ocean
Aegir and Ran were a famous couple in Norse mythology. Both of them, despite being the giant, had a very good relationship with gods.
- Net: Ran the wife had a net to collect the drown. Yes, she was a nightmare to the seafarers. If they failed to sacrifice something to her, she would severely punish the whole crew.
- Mead caldron: Aegir was famous for his brewing skills. He often appeared with giant caldron which he was brewing the best quality mead in the Nine Worlds. Nine daughters would sometimes help him with this brewing work.
Nidhogg the Corpse Eater
A famous dragon in Norse mythology was Nidhogg the Corpse Eater.
- Entertwining into the roots of Yggdrasil tree: Nidhogg dwelled above the Yggdrasill entangling into the roots. Nidhogg always wished someday, he could make Yggdrasil tree collapse and kill the eagle living in the upper branch of this ash tree. Therefore, he spent most of his time gnawing at the roots of Yggdrasil.
