Midgard

Dragons feature prominently in Norse mythology. At the ’still point of the turning world’ there stands the ash tree Yggdrasil which supports the whole universe. There are three great roots of the tree, one of which reaches over Niflheim where Hel reigns as Queen of the Underworld. Beneath Niflheim the dragon Nidhogg gnaws at the root seeking to destroy the universe – which is why he’s known as ‘The Dread Biter’.

Midgard’s Worm (a.k.a Jorungard’s Worm) is a threat on a more earthly level. The Worm lies in the seas with its tail in its mouth, encircling the land, creating the oceans. Disaster would befall the world should the Worm’s tail be removed from its mouth. Midgard’s Worm meets its end at Ragnarok when it and Thor kill each other.

Fafnir was once a giant who killed his father in order to take the treasure he owned. To guard the ill-gained hoard he transformed into a dragon and carried it to a remote cave. The dragon is eventually slain by Sigurd.

~ by Ian on May 1, 2007.