Ægir is a jötunn and the personification of the sea in Norse mythology, known for hosting the gods in his grand underwater halls. He is closely associated with brewing ale and is often depicted as both formidable and hospitable. As a mythological embodiment of the ocean, Ægir's influence spans natural, cultural, and symbolic dimensions.

Ægir

Alberich is a legendary dwarf from German heroic legend known for his cunning and association with supernatural beings. He appears in texts such as the Nibelungenlied and Thidreksaga and is the inspiration behind Wagner's depiction in Der Ring des Nibelungen. His name, meaning 'ruler of supernatural beings', reflects his command over magical forces.

Alberich

Almáttki áss is an obscure Norse deity known from an Icelandic legal oath. It is invoked on a temple ring as an emblem of divine authority. Despite limited information, his presence reflects the legal and cultural practices of early Norse settlers.

Almáttki áss

Alvaldi is a jötunn from Norse mythology renowned for his immense strength and legendary status as the father of Ðejazi. His name translates to 'all-powerful', reflecting a mythic attribute of supreme force. Saturn's moon Alvaldi, named in his honour, attests to his enduring cultural significance.

Alvaldi

Alvíss, meaning 'All-Wise', is a dwarf from Norse mythology renowned for his exceptional intellect. He was promised in marriage to Thor's daughter, Thrúðr, but his wisdom was tested until dawn. At sunrise, his inherent vulnerability to sunlight led to his petrification, abruptly ending the contest.

Alvíss

Andvari is a Norse dwarf renowned for his magical ring and shapeshifting ability to transform into a pike. He dwells beneath a waterfall, guarding a cursed hoard of gold. His curse on the stolen treasure has far-reaching consequences in Norse mythology and inspired later adaptations such as Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen.

Andvari

Angrboða is a jötunn and giantess from Norse mythology, renowned as the mate of Loki and the mother of the monstrous Fenrir, Jörmungandr, and Hel. She is depicted as residing in Jötunheimar, the realm of giants, and plays a pivotal role in the mythological tapestry of chaos and destruction. Her limited mentions in primary texts belie her significant impact on the cosmic events prophesied in Ragnarok.

Angrboða

Antero Vipunen is a colossal giant from Finnish mythology, renowned as a keeper of ancient spells and wisdom. He lies buried underground until awakened by the god-hero Väinämöinen in a dramatic quest for lost magical words. His tale, preserved in the Kalevala, underscores the themes of sacrifice and the pursuit of hidden knowledge.

Antero Vipunen

Árvakr and Alsviðr are the legendary Norse horses that pull the sun’s chariot across the sky. They are characterized by their slender build, exceptional speed, and divine protection via cold iron bellows. Their cosmic role is essential for maintaining the cycle of day and night in Norse mythology.

Árvakr and Alsviðr

Åsa Haraldsdottir of Agder was a semi-legendary Norwegian queen regnant of the Viking Age whose reign is chronicled in Norse sagas. She is noted as the mother of prominent figures such as Halfdan the Black and Sigurd Ring. Her legacy, intertwined with myth and history, has helped shape the narrative of early Norwegian royalty.

Åsa Haraldsdottir of Agder

Askafroa is a legendary spirit and guardian of the ash tree in Scandinavian folklore, also known as Askefrue and Eschenfrau. She is depicted as a malicious entity whose wrath could bring harm if her sacred tree was disrespected. Ritual sacrifices on Ash Wednesday, involving the pouring of water over the tree's roots, were performed to appease her.

Askafroa

Astrild is a Nordic literary figure derived from the Roman god Cupid, symbolising love and desire. Inspired by the writings of 17th-century Swedish poet Georg Stiernhielm, Astrild became popular in Nordic poetry during the Baroque and Rococo eras. Despite his Old Norse name meaning 'Love-fire', he does not appear in traditional Norse mythology.

Astrild

Auðumbla is a primeval cow from Norse mythology whose nourishing milk sustained the frost giant Ymir and whose persistent licking of icy rime revealed Búri, the progenitor of the gods. Attested in the Prose Edda, she plays a crucial role in the Norse creation myth. Her existence symbolizes the cosmic interplay between life, nourishment, and the elemental forces of ice.

Auðumbla

Aurboða is a jötunn from Norse mythology, known as the 'gravel-bidder'. She is married to Gymir and is the mother of Gerðr. Her mythological roots firmly establish her place within the Norse giant lineage.

Aurboða

Austri, Vestri, Norðri and Suðri are four dwarfs from Norse mythology tasked with holding up the sky, which was fashioned from the skull of the primordial jötunn Ymir. They are mentioned in the Prose Edda and various kennings, symbolising the cardinal directions. Their steady support of the heavens embodies the ancient Nordic vision of cosmic order.

Austri, Vestri, Norðri and Suðri

Baldr is a revered Norse god celebrated for his radiant beauty, purity, and divine presence. As the son of Odin and Frigg, he stands as a beloved figure among the Æsir and is central to the events leading to Ragnarök. His magnificent hall Breidablik and the legendary ship Hringhorni further underscore his esteemed status in Norse mythology.

Baldr

Baugi is a jötunn from Norse mythology, known as the brother of the giant Suttungr. He plays a pivotal role in the myth of the Mead of Poetry. His name, meaning 'ring-shaped', hints at unique attributes within his mythological narrative.

Baugi

Bergelmir is a jötunn from Norse mythology known for surviving the catastrophic flood of Ymir's blood. He is recognised as a formidable frost giant and the progenitor of many giant lineages. His myth underscores themes of endurance and the cyclical nature of creation in Norse lore.

Bergelmir

The Bergsrå, also known as the Mountain Rå, Bergatrollet, or Bergakungen, is a mythical mountain spirit from Norse mythology. It is renowned for its ability to deceive and seduce humans into its hidden mountain realms. With an ambiguous gender and a mysterious court of relatives, the Bergsrå embodies the enigmatic allure and danger of the untamed wilderness.

Bergsrå

Bestla is a jötunn from Norse mythology, renowned as the mother of the gods Odin, Vili, and Vǽ. As a giantess from Jotunheim, she embodies the primordial forces that bridge the realm of the giants and that of the gods. Her legacy is pivotal in establishing the divine lineage of the Æsir despite the enigmatic details surrounding her character.

Scandinavian Creatures