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Nidhogg (Old Norse: "Níðhöggr," meaning "Hate-striker") is a dragon or serpent that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, the World Tree in Norse cosmology. This perpetual gnawing is symbolic of the destructive forces that threaten to undermine the very fabric of the cosmos. Unlike some other mythical creatures, Níðhöggr's role is not limited to direct conflict with gods or heroes but rather involves a more subtle, ongoing threat to the stability of the world.
According to the Gylfaginning section of Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, Níðhǫggr is a creature that chews on one of Yggdrasill’s three roots. It is sometimes thought that these roots are keeping the beast confined to its world. This particular root is situated above Niflheimr, and Níðhǫggr gnaws at it from underneath. The same source also mentions that "a squirrel named Ratatoskr scurries up and down the length of the Ash, carrying spiteful messages between the eagle and Níðhǫggr [the serpent]."
Biography[]
Mythological Context[]
Níðhöggr's presence beneath Yggdrasil is mentioned in various Old Norse texts, including the Völuspá (a prophetic poem in the Poetic Edda) and the Gylfaginning (part of Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda). In these texts, his role is more symbolic than narrative, representing the inevitable decline that accompanies existence.
The mythological depiction of Níðhöggr reflects broader themes in Norse mythology, including the balance between order and chaos, life and death, and the transient nature of existence. His gnawing is a constant reminder of the eventual end that awaits all things, a theme echoed in the concept of Ragnarök, the end of the world in Norse tradition.
Role in Mythology[]
Níðhöggr's primary function in Norse myth is as a force of decay and destruction. His constant gnawing at the roots of Yggdrasil represents the potential for chaos and the eventual dissolution of the world. This act of destruction is a part of the larger cyclical nature of Norse cosmology, where creation and destruction are intertwined.
In the mythological framework, Yggdrasil is central to the Norse understanding of the universe, connecting the Nine Worlds and serving as a focal point of existence. The ongoing threat posed by Níðhöggr underscores the ever-present danger of cosmic entropy and the fragile nature of the universe.
Given his role in gnawing at Yggdrasil's roots, it's logical that Níðhöggr would play a significant part in Ragnarök, the apocalypse of the cosmos. This expectation is indeed reflected in Norse mythology. In the Völuspá, an important Old Norse poem, Níðhöggr is depicted as emerging from beneath Yggdrasil during Ragnarök, likely to support the giants' efforts.
Additionally, the Völuspá describes Níðhöggr as ruling over Náströnd, or "The Shore of Corpses," a part of the underworld where wrongdoers like perjurers, murderers, and adulterers face their punishments.
Gallery[]
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