What is Yggdrasil?

Yggdrasil is the World Tree, a

giant Ash tree. This tree is the

‘center of the universe’ in which

Midgard is located in the middle

of the tree and all other realms

are connected through either the

branches or roots of this tree.

Theoretically Asgard is located

near the top and Hel is located

within the roots. This is similar

to the Christian beliefs of heaven

and hell.

It is said that Odin the Allfather

hung himself from one of the

branches in order to gain wisdom

Other Important creatures or place within

Yggdrasil

Urd’s Well

Giant Eagle

Mimir’s Well

Dragon Nidhogg

Norns

Squirrel Ratatosk

Vidofnir the tree snake

Lif and Lifthrasir

Yggdrasil the Worlds Tree

Home of all creatures

in the nine realms

The World of

the Myths

For more information on more Norse Topics go

to the following website:

http://www.viking-

mythology.com/yggdrasil.html

Asgard

The divine stronghold

of the Aesir, the

younger and stronger

family of gods

Jotunheim Realm given to the

Frost Giants by Odin

Niflheim The world of the dead

Vanahiem The home realm of the

Vanir, the fertility gods

Alfheim The land of the light

elves

Nidavellier The realm of the

blacksmithing dwarves

Svartalfheim The land of the Dark

Elves

Midgard The home of humankind

Hel Realm of the dishonored or

unworthy dead. Named after

the ruler of the realm

Resources: Cotterell, Arthur, and Rachel Storm. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of World Mythology: A Comprehensive A-Z of the Myths

and Legends of Greece, Rome, Egypt, Persia, India, China and the Norse and Celtic Lands. New York: Metro, 2010. Print.

An illustration of Yggdrasil

The Bifrost, or three stranded rainbow bridge,

was the only way to travel from Midgard to Asgard. The Bifrost is guarded by Heimdall who could hear the grass growing and see for over a hundred miles