25 Fascinating Facts About Norse Mythology

In Norse mythology, a “fylgja” (pronounced “FILG-yur”) is a spirit that accompanies a person in connection to their fate or fortune. In some instances, the “fylgja” will take on the form of an animal that shows itself after the birth of a child or as a “creature” that eats the afterbirth.

During Ragnarok, Odin's son, Vidar will avenge him by killing the wolf Fenrir by tearing its jaws open with a giant boot, made from the spare parts of every shoe ever made.

In Norse mythology, Thor, Loki, and a guy named Thialfi once visit giants’ land of Jotunheim, where they are challenged to eating, running, drinking, lifting and wrestling. Instead they get bamboozled with illusions and feel worthless, but giant king Utgard-Loki admits they actually nailed the challenges and tells them not to come back.

In Norse mythology, Odin is said to have retrieved the "Mead of Poetry" from a giant and taken it back to Asgard in his bird form. But when the giant gave chase, Odin pooped out some of the mead in his haste to escape, and this bird dung is what inspires bad poets.

Búri (or Buri) was the first God in Norse mythology. He is the father of Borr and grandfather of Odin, Vili, and Ve. He was formed by the cow Auðumbla licking the salty ice of Ginnungagap during the time of Ymir.

The Norse Gods have a pig named Sæhrímnir which is a source of unlimited bacon. It provides food for the Aesir and Einherjar in the feasting hall of Valhalla.

Norse mythology has one more death realm apart from Valhalla and Folkvangr. Helheim is ruled separately by Hel.

There is actually a Norse god of skiers named Ullr. His favorite sport was chasing game with a bow and arrow through the mountains at speed on skis.

According to Norse mythology, while observing his brother Baldr's funeral pyre, Thor punted a dwarf named Litr into the flames.

Thor's chariot was pulled by two goats Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr that Thor could eat and then resurrect the following day with his hammer if no bones were broken.