![]() ![]() Many of the figures on these objects depict Odin. Vendel-type handicrafts, jewelry and image stones from the Germanic Iron Age are among the oldest depictions of scenes that can be linked with certainty to the myths we know from the Norse Middle Ages. The Scandinavian name Odin evolved from the Old Norse name Wodan during the Germanic Iron Age. Odin appears as a war god in southern Germanic sources from the 5th to the 8th century. Here the cult of the Saxons replaced an original fertility cult. It has been suggested that the worship of Odin may have spread northwards from the Rhine in the 1st century AD and reached Scandinavia along with the cult in the 5th century AD. In pre-Christian times he was also worshipped in the rest of the Germanic world, he was known, for example, as Woden in Anglo-Saxon England and Wodan in Germany this became Wotan, the name under which he appears in Richard Wagner's opera Nibelungen's Ring. His function, however, was largely linked to his role as protector of mankind against destructive and hostile forces.Īs a god of war, Odin was not always to be trusted, for even if he had promised victory, he could choose to give it to the opposing side. He was mainly venerated by ordinary warriors, while Odin was the god of chiefs and kings, even in war. The rather milder figure of Tyr was also worshipped. In Norse mythology, the functions of the gods were not necessarily reserved for one deity, for example, Odin was not the only god of war to be worshipped. In the three cases where we encounter the name Odinkar, for example, it was carried by individuals of noble lineage. Ordinary people would not turn to him, and so few places came to bear his name. Other sources show that it was mainly the elite who worshipped him. The limited use of his name in place names compared to Thor and Freyr, for example, suggests that his cult was never very widespread, despite the fact that he was the king of the gods. They were the ruling race of gods, and in the Norse world view Odin was the most powerful king. Icelandic sources from the Middle Ages describe him as the head of the Aesir. In the myths he is described as determined to acquire more knowledge and learning, and he often travelled far and wide, either flying like a bird or riding his horse. Odin was a shapeshifter by nature, he had countless forms and often appeared in disguise, as in one fable from the Old Edda. In myths he is often described as a tall, one-eyed, grey-bearded man, and in depictions he is seen riding the eight-legged horse Sleipnir with the spear Gungnir in one hand, followed by the ravens Huginn and Muninn and the wolves Geri and Freki. ![]() The many names reflect the many functions and roles Odin had. ![]() He is often referred to in the sources by other names: frequently the nickname Allfather is used, other times he is called Ygg (the terrible), another name was Jolner, and under that Odin appeared as the god of the Winter Solstice Yuletide. Like the other Norse gods, his functions are very complex, and it is difficult to describe precisely his role as a god. In Norse mythology, Odin is the husband of Frigg and is considered one of the most prominent gods in ancient Norse religion, he is particularly associated with: ![]()
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