Jörmungandr, World Serpent in In Norse Mythology

World Serpent in In Norse Mythology


The World Serpent and Midgard Serpent, often known as Jormungandr, are significant figures in Norse mythology. He is a descendant of Loki, and for reasons that have never been made explicit in the mythology that has survived, he is also Thor's sworn adversary. Jormungandr, who in Old Norse means "great monster," is a transformational symbol, like similar characters in many other ancient societies.

Please see our entire collection of Viking Jewelry

Jörmungandr was one of the apocalyptic creatures that would destroy the current world and aid in the demise of the existing gods, but would also be killed in the process, enabling for new life to emerge from the ashes of the old. Jörmungandr, the son of Loki and Angrboa, a giantess who was one of his wives, was unlucky enough to share his brother Fenrir's monster shape by being born as a Beast Jötunn. In his instance, the monster form was a draconic snake.

He was exiled by Odin to the bottom of the sea in Midgard, like his canine brother, since the prophesy said that he posed a threat to the Gods. Despite the fact that Jörmungandr would eventually carry out the prophecy of Ragnarök regardless, it can be argued that the Gods of Asgard had little choice because, like Loki, Jörmungandr inherited his kind's fierce animosity toward them for the murder of Ymir, an animosity that not even the most sage of Gods of Asgard could quell.

The Midgard Serpent would be slain by Thor in combat during the time of Ragnarok, but Thor would afterwards die from the serpent's poison, according to the prophecy of the prophetess Volla. Thor was challenged to raise his cat off the ground when at the court of Utgard-Loki, but was humbled when the cat was able to maintain at least one foot on the ground at all times. Then, Utgard-Loki confessed that his fictitious cat was actually the Midgard Serpent.

On the Jötunn Hymir's boat, Thor went ox-head fishing for the Midgard Serpent. Hymir cut the rope out of fear when Thor was able to grab the snake, thinking he was rescuing Thor from himself. Thor became enraged at Hymir and hit him as the serpent backed away. After telling Hymir to be grateful for his release, he then left using the might of his hammer.

When the gods of Asgard heard a prophesy that Fenrir, Jörmungandr, and Hel would create problems in the future, Odin ordered their removal while they were still fairly young. Fenrir, Jörmungandr, and Hel were living with their mother in Jotunheim, the home of the giants. Hel was sent to the shadowy underworld under frigid Niflheim, Jörmungandr was thrown into the sea, and Fenrir was ultimately restrained to a rock on an island. Jörmungandr expanded to such a magnitude that he held his tail in his mouth and encircled the earth, which was imagined to be a flat disc.

Thor's fishing excursion


According to one legend, Thor visits the giant ruler Hymir to obtain a big cauldron that would be required for a mighty feast during an exceptional era of peace between the Aesir gods and the giants.

Hymir killed three of his bulls to supply meat for the visit since he was aware of the rumors about Thor's voracious hunger. To his dismay, though, Thor devoured two of the creatures in a single supper. Hymir then makes the decision to go fishing because he has run out of cattle to give to the thunder god.

 Please take a look at our entire Thors Hammer Necklace collection 

Hymir, who is annoyed with Thor, asks him for assistance and sends him to retrieve the bait. He anticipates that Thor would go hunting for some small animals to use as bait, but instead, Thor kills the bulls that are still alive and uses their heads as bait. Although Hymir is upset by this, the heads do make great bait, and the enormous king manages to capture two whales that will undoubtedly be enough to feed the god.

Norse legend claims that Thor did not assist Hymir with his fishing but instead only stood and watched the ocean. However, Thor's true feelings are revealed when Hymir asks him to row the boat back to shore because he intends to go deeper in search of bigger fish.

Knowing that Jormungdar resides here and being aware of the prophesy regarding the confrontation that Thor and Jormungandr would have during Ragnarok causes Hymir great anxiety. He advises Thor not to fish in these waters, but the god ignores him.

Eventually, a powerful force tugs on Thor's line, almost tipping the god over. Hymir can tell right away that it is Jormungandr since no other creature could possibly have a chance against the god.

Hymir's words do not dissuade Thor, who begins to hoist the beast up and prepares to strike it with his hammer. Hymir, who was terrified by the idea, cut the fishing line as the serpent's body was about to emerge and let it to relapse into the water.

Thor tosses Hymir overboard and leaves him there because he is so furious with him. Because of his efforts to prevent the world from ending prematurely due to the haughtiness of the deity Thor, he was presumably devoured by Jormungandr.

The huge cat


In one tale, Thor meets the huge monarch Utgard-Loki and is required to carry out tasks for him, one of which tests Thor's physical prowess. Thor is prodded by Utgard-Loki to try to raise the World Serpent, which is magically transformed into a large cat. Thor grabs the cat by the middle, but he can only lift it high enough for one paw to leave the ground. Afterwards, Utgard-Loki reveals his trickery and how raising the cat by Thor was a remarkable feat since he had stretched the snake to almost reach the sky. As they witnessed one paw rise off the ground, several people watching were startled. The universe's bounds would have changed if Thor had been able to totally raise the cat off the ground.

Jormungander's role in Ragnarok

Jormungandr's participation in Ragnarok, the last battle predicted to take place at the end of the world and result in the complete annihilation of the Norse universe, is by far the most significant role he has to play in Norse mythology.

It's possible that Jormungandr causes Ragnarok to occur. According to Norse mythology, the planet of mankind, Midgard, will experience three years of nonstop winter before the end of the world. Jormungandr will become uneasy in the frigid seas that encircle Midgard and rise to the surface. The nine worlds of the Norse Universe will all experience strong earthquakes as a result of his enormous size. This gave rise to the adage that Ragnarok will start when Jormungandr lets go of his tail.

The wolf Fenrir, his brother, will be able to free himself from Asgard's bonds thanks to these earthquakes. Also, it will enable his father Loki to break out from jail. Due to his involvement in the demise of Balder, the most adored Aesir deity and the son of Odin, he has been bound to two rocks and is being bitten by a poisonous snake, which is leaking agonizing venom over his flesh.

Loki will lead an army into Asgard to battle the Aesir gods, and he and the Aesir deity Heimdall will battle to the death. Before being killed by one of Odin's sons, Fenrir will consume Odin himself. Jormungandr will face Thor one last time in the decisive conflict. Thor will put up a struggle unlike any he has ever put up, and with his hammer, he will finally kill the Midgard Serpent. But, following his triumph, Thor will be covered with Jormungandr's poison to such an extent that he will only be able to go nine steps before dying. All nine of the worlds in the Norse universe will be poisoned by Jormungandr's excessive airborne poisonation.

It is challenging to perceive Jormungandr as the antagonist despite the fact that he is depicted in this tale as an adversary of the Aesir gods. It makes sense that he would desire to get revenge on the gods who abused his family so cruelly.




Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published