Norse Myth: The Root of All Beings Quiz

Answer: Gunningagap

The intense flames from Muspell in the south were such that no one could bear the heat, apart from those born into them. Likewise, the frost in the northern realm of Niflheim was too cold to support life. As the two extremes met, they produced perfect conditions for life. The heat from the south melted the ice from the north and the water that dripped formed Ymir, an evil frost giant.

Answer: A cow

Audumla lived off of the salty ice which surrounded her, and after three days of licking, she uncovered a man named Buri. Meanwhile, the frost giant, Ymir, lived off of the milk which flowed from the teats of Audumla. Buri had a son named Bor, who went on to marry Bestla - a frost giantess and daughter of Bolthor.

Answer: Odin

Odin is described by many as the most prominent god in Norse mythology, and is known as the "Allfather" due to him not only literally being the father of many gods, but being the dominant figure in Asgard (the place where the Aesir dwelt). He is said to be a master of transformation, a fearsome god - one to be respected, but not loved.

He is a fierce, ruthless warrior, as we learn from many of the tales of Norse myth. He is also said to possess one all-seeing eye whilst in his usual form.

Answer: His skull

Still in the empty plains of Ginnungagap, the sons of Bor set out to craft the Earth from Ymir's body. His bones formed mountains, his flesh formed the Earth, his teeth became rocks and boulders, and his blood formed the vast oceans which surround the land.

The brothers held up Ymir's skull to form the sky and threw his brains into the air to create the clouds. Odin, Vili and Ve placed four dwarves at the four corners of the sky. Their names were North, East, South and West.

Answer: Man and woman

Odin gave them life, Vili gave them emotion, and Ve gave them senses.

Whilst Odin, Vili and Ve lived in the top of three levels, in a place called Asgard, they provided Midgard as the home for man and woman. Midgard was created on the middle of the three levels which existed in Norse mythology. Also located on the middle level was Jotunheim - home of the rock giants and frost giants. Having an affinity for man and a hatred for the giants, the gods protected Midgard using the eyebrows of Ymir.

The first man was called Ask and the first woman was called Embla.

Answer: A giantess

Night was the daughter of Narvi, who, like all giants, dwelt in Jotunheim. Night had a series of marriages and a number of children. The first marriage was to Naglfari who fathered her son, Aud. She then had a daughter, Earth, with her second husband who was named Annar. Finally, she bore Day, son of Delling. Delling was related to the sons of Bor and so, therefore, was Day. Day was more similar to those on his paternal side of the family rather than possessing the dark hair and eyes of Night. The mother and son rode through the sky each day, Night on a horse named Hrimfaxi and Day on Skinfaxi.

Answer: Sparks of fire

It was once thought by the Vikings that stars were windows from which their gods watched them.

The gods were angered by a man who had named his son Moon and his daughter Sun in pride of their beauty. The two children were taken by the gods and were made to use chariots to drive the true sun and moon across the sky. Moon took two children with him; they were called Hjuki and Bil and they were said to follow the moon wherever it went. Each child - Sun and Moon - was also pursued across the sky by a wolf, Sun by Skoll and Moon by Hati.

Answer: Dwarves

Like men, the dwarves were given life by Odin, Vili and Ve. They lived in Nidavellir and were known for their craftsmanship. Their skill in metalwork outdid even that of the gods, as the dwarves were the only ones who could forge a chain strong enough to contain the wolf, Fenrir.

As their origin (maggots) may suggest, the dwarves also had undesirable qualities. They did nothing out of kindness, but for rewards - women and gold. Many Norse myths portray the dwarves as scheming and evil.

Answer: Dark elves

Although dark elves are often seen as the same as dwarves, there is a clear distinction between the areas in which the two lived. Whilst the dark elves lived in Svartalfheim, the dwarves lived in Nidavellir. Both of these, along with Midgard (men) and Jotunheim (giants), made up the four lands found on the middle of the three levels of Norse mythology.

On the top level was Asgard (warrior gods), Vanaheim (fertility gods) and Alfheim (light elves (or just elves)). Finally, on the lowest level was Niflheim and Hel (places of the dead). Some class Niflheim and Hel as the same world, and in that instance the ninth and final world is Muspellheim (land of fire).

Answer: A giant tree

As mentioned in the question, the tree has no known origin and has been described by some scholars as "timeless". Its extensive roots were found in all three levels and its branches extended above the heavens. The first of its roots was found in Asgard and from it the Well of Urd was formed (some accounts give this as the meeting place of the gods). The second root was located in Jotunheim and from this root came the Spring of Mimir (its water was the source of wisdom). The third root was found in Niflheim and from this root the Spring of Hvergelmir was born (source of the "eleven rivers").

Just as it is thought in Norse mythology to have always existed, Yggdrasil is thought to never perish, existing even after Ragnarok (the final battle).