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The Nine Worlds

In Norse mythology, there were nine worlds. These worlds were all connected to Yggdrasil:



An Ash Tree
Image Creator in Bing


The Higher Worlds


Asgard was the highest world. It was at the top of Yggdrasil. Home to the Aesir, it was a sprawling golden city. Within its walls was Valhalla, Odin’s majestic halls, where half of those who fell in battle dwelt. These halls were also the home of the Valkyries. Asgard was connected to the mortal world of Midgard by a rainbow bridge called the Bifrost. This was the only way into Asgard, and only those who possessed undying will could make the crossing.


To find out more about the Aesir, click here.


A portrait of Asgard and Bifrost.
Asgard and Bifrost in interpretation of Otto Schenk of Wagner's drama Das Rheingold

Vanaheim was the realm of the Vanir. It was a grassy world with roaring, wide oceans and vast meadows.


To find out more about the Vanir, click here.


A mountain landscape.
'Rocky Mountain Landscape' by Albert Bierstadt

Alfheim was a woodland realm. It belonged to the light elves.


A woodland landscape.
'A stream through the valley' by Peder Mønsted


The Middle Worlds


Midgard was the realm of mortals. There was great natural beauty to be found in Midgard. In the oceans that surrounded it lived Jourmungand. A ferocious beast with jet-black scales and great fangs.


A grassy landscape.
'California Spring' by Albert Bierstad

Jotunheim was the world of the frost giants. It was a harsh, misty place with dark forests and wild beasts.

A stormy landscape.
'Storm on the Matterhorn' by Albert Bierstadt

Nidavellir was a rocky land with tall mountains and deep caverns. It was the domain of the dwarves. They were master craftsmen and skilled blacksmiths who made their homes beneath the earth.


To find out more about the Dwarves, click here.

A cave.
'Höhle am Abend' by Joseph Wright



The Lower Worlds


Niflheim was an ice realm. Harsh winds tore around this frozen wasteland.

A winter landscape.
'Winter in Yosemite' by Albert Bierstadt

Muspelheim was a world of pure flame. Wildfires raged, rivers of lava carved through the land, and molten fissures pocked the earth.


A landcape of a Volcano.
'A View into a Volcano' by Jules Tavernier


Hel was a cold, dark land located deep beneath the ground like a grave site. It was home to the dead and ruled over by the fearsome giantess, Hel.

A dark landscape.
'Last Reflection' by Albert Bierstadt

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