| THE LANDS OF NORSE MYTHOLOGY: |
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The nine worlds of Norse mythology. The first level: Asgard, world of the Aesir; Vanaheim, land of the Vanir; and Alfheim, land of the light elves. The second level: Midgard, Land of humans (middle world/garden); Nidavellir, Land of the dwarfs; Jotunheim, Land of the giants (Jotuns); and Svartalfheim, Land of the dark elves. The third level: Hel, Realm of the dead; and Niflheim, World of the dead. If Hel and Niflheim comprised one world, as is suggested in some sources, the ninth may have been Muspelheim (Muspell), the land of the fire giants.
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| Alfheim |
Located on the highest level of the Norse universe, Alfheim is the palace of the god Freyr and the homeland of the elves of light. Neither the elves of light nor the elves of darkness, who live in Svartalfheim, participate in any of the events described in the Norse myths. Elves do, however, have active roles in the literature of quite a few of the other branches of Indo-European mythology. |
| Asgard |
Homeland of the Aesir. Located on the highest level of the Norse universe, it is surrounded by a high wall of closely fitted stone blocks. The walls surrounding Asgard were built by Hrimthurs, who asked in payment the hand of Freya plus the sun and the moon. Odin agreed providing the walls be complete in six months. Hrimthurs had a magic horse, named Svadilfari, who helped him in his work. To Odin's horror, with but a few days left, Hrimthurs was almost finished. Loki turned himself into a mare and beguiled the stallion Svadilfari away. The job was not completed in time and no payment was given. Also found on this level are the worlds of Alfheim and Vanaheim as well as Valhalla, an immense hall where warriors slain in battle await the final conflict. In the middle of Asgard lies the plain of Idavoll [or Ida] where the Aesir meet to decide important issues. There the gods assemble in the hall of Gladsheim and the goddesses in the hall of Vingolf. The gods also meet daily at the Well of Urd, beneath the Asgard root of the ash tree Yggdrasil. |
| Helheim |
This abode of the dead is located in the world of Niflheim, on the lowest level of the Norse universe, and is ruled by Hel. No one can ever leave this place, because of the impassable river Gjoll that flows from the spring Hvergelmir and encircles Helheim. Once they enter Helheim, not even the gods can leave. Those who die of old age or disease, and those not killed in battle, go to Helheim while those who die bravely on the battlefield go to Valhalla. The entrance to Helheim is guarded by Garm, a monstrous hound, and Modgud. The giant Hraesvelg ["corpse eater"] sits at the edge of the world, overlooking Helheim. In the form of an eagle with flapping wings he makes the wind blow. It is often believed that instead of being a separate land, Helheim is actually a part of Niflheim, and therefore not actually counted in the Nine Lands of Norse Mythology. |
| Jotunheim | Homeland of the frost giants and rock giants. Situated in Midgard, on the middle level of the Norse universe, Jotunheim is separated from Asgard by the river Iving, which never freezes over. It lies in the snowy regions on the outermost shores of the ocean. Mimir's well of wisdom is in Jotunheim, beneath the Midgard root of the ash tree Yggdrasil. Jotunheim is ruled by Thrym, the feared king of the frost giants. The stronghold of Utgard, the chief city of Jotunheim and the abode of the giants, is ruled by the giant Utgard-Loki. Other strongholds include Gastropnir, home of the giantess Menglad, and Thrymheim, mountain stronghold of the giant Thiazi. |
| Midgard | The defensive fortress which the gods build about the middle portion of the earth allotted to men in order to protect mankind from the giants. Midgard ["middle world"] is on the same level as Nidavellir [land of the dwarfs], Svartalfheim [land of the dark elves/dwarfs] and Jotunheim [the land of the giants]. |
| Muspelheim | Muspellheim or Muspell ["home of desolation"] is a flaming, torrid region, the land of fire far to the south. It is opposed to Niflheim and whose animating beams made the ice in Niflheim melt and created the first living beings. The celestial bodies were made from its sparks which flew out into space. Muspell is ruled by the fire giant Surt, whose wife is Sinmore. |
| Nidavellir | On the second level with Midgard, Jotunheim and Svartalfheim. Land of the dwarfs. Not much is written on this place, though it is rumored that it overlaps or is the same as Svartalfheim. |
| Niflheim | Niflheim ["house of mists"] is the far northern region of icy fogs and mists, darkness and cold. It is situated on the lowest level of the universe. The realm of death, Helheim is part of the vast, cold region. Niflheim lies underneath the third root of Yggdrasil, close to the spring Hvergelmir ["roaring cauldron"]. Also situated on this level is Nastrond, the Shore of Corpses, where the serpent Nidhogg eats corpses and gnaws on the roots of Yggdrasil. After Ragnarok, there will be a hall here for the punishment of murderers, oath breakers, and philanderers. |
| Svartalfheim | Home to Svartalfar, the black elves of Norse mythology who grew from the maggots of Ymir's flesh. It is rumored that it overlaps or is the same as Nidavellir. |
| Vanaheim | Land of the Vanir. It is located in Asgard, on the highest level of the universe. |
