Wargs are mythical wolf-like entities that appear in several other mythologies, most notably in Norse mythology. Known for their association with darkness, death, and chaos, wargs are often depicted as fearsome beasts with malevolent intentions. They have been popularized in modern fantasy literature, such as J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, but their origins and symbolism can be traced back to ancient Germanic and Scandinavian traditions.
History[]
Origins in Norse Mythology[]
In Norse mythology, the term "warg" (or "vargr" in Old Norse) is used to describe a wolf, often with negative connotations. The word “vargr” was also used in Old Norse legal terminology to denote an outlaw, suggesting that the term carried a sense of danger and hostility. Wargs were considered monstrous wolves that dwelled in the wilds and were associated with the forces of destruction and death.
Two of the most famous wargs in Norse mythology are Fenrir and his two offspring, Sköll and Hati Hróðvitnisson.
- Fenrir: The most notorious of all wargs, is Fenrir a gigantic wolf, born of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angrboda. According to Norse myth; Fenrir was destined to bring about great harm to the gods, Aesir. Because of a prophecy that; foretold he would kill Odin, the all-father; during Ragnarök, the end of the world, the gods decided to bind Fenrir with a magical chain. But Fenrir grew so powerful that; he ultimately broke free; during Ragnarök, fulfilling the prophecy; by killing Odin; before being slain; by Odin's son, Vidar.
- Sköll and Hati: Sköll and Hati are the offspring of Fenrir. Sköll chases the sun, Sol, while Hati chases the moon, Mani across the sky. According to Norse belief; when Ragnarök begins, Sköll and Hati will finally catch and devour the sun and the moon, plunging the world into darkness.
The fearsome image of the warg in Norse mythology reflects the Vikings' respect for and fear of wolves, which were both a threat and a revered part of the natural world.
Legacy[]
Symbolism and Interpretations[]
In mythology, wargs symbolize chaos, destruction, and death. They embody the uncontrollable forces of nature, particularly those that threaten civilization and order. Their association with darkness, the end of the world, and the gods’ enemies places them as powerful adversaries to divine order.
Wargs also represent outlaws and those outside the social order. In Old Norse culture, being likened to a warg could mean that someone was a threat to society, much like an outlaw or criminal. The dual meaning of “vargr” as both a wolf and an outlaw illustrates this symbolic relationship between wargs and forces opposed to societal norms and divine law.
Wargs in Modern Literature and Popular Culture[]
The concept of wargs has been adopted and adapted in modern fantasy literature and popular culture, most notably by J.R.R. Tolkien in his works The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Aside from appearing in old myths, Wargs also appear in several fantasy stories and video games, most famously in J. R. R. Tolkien's works. The name Warg comes from combining two names from Old Norse and Old English legends. Wargs share similarly to wolves like Fenrir, Skoll and Hati which were inspirations for Wargs. Wargs and other wolf like creatures have served as mounts for humanoid beings in many myths and literature.
Despite being created by Tolkien for his world of Arda/Middle-earth (mostly famous for The Lord of the Rings), the inspiration for Wargs came from Old Norse and Old English myths. Wargs have also appeared in different forms of media like Dragon's Dogma, Gothic, Elder Scrolls, George R. R. Martin's franchise of A Song of Ice and Fire, and other forms of media. Not only were Tolkien's wargs based on wolves like Fenrir, Skoll and Hati there were other wolves from Norse mythology that inspired the creation of Tolkien's wargs.
In all forms of media the Wargs are often shown to be a hostile species making them enemies to others who encounter them. While Wargs are often portrayed as wolves do to them being inspired by wolves from Old Norse and Old English myths.
Unlike other forms of media where Wargs are wolves, in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire franchise wargs are a specific type of skinchangers (humans with the ability to enter the minds of animals) who enter the minds of wolves or dogs. However, the television series Game of Thrones uses the term "warg" to describe every skinchanger in general, and calls the act of doing so "warging", while in Martin's own works the verb is always "skinchanging", even for wargs.
Wargs also appear in various role-playing games, fantasy novels, movies, and television series, often portrayed as large, evil, or feral wolves that pose a threat to humans and civilization. Their depiction in these contexts continues to draw on their original symbolism as fearsome creatures of darkness and chaos.
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