FIGURES OF NORSE MYTHOLOGY: ODIN

First and foremost of the Aesir, Odin is the god of poetry, wisdom, war, and death. He hung for nine days, pierced by his own spear, on Yggdrasil, the world tree. Here he learned nine powerful songs and eighteen runes. He sacrificed one eye for a single drink from the well of wisdom. His hall in Asgard is Valaskjalf (“shelf of the slain”), where his throne Hlidskjalf is located. From this throne, he observes all that happens in the nine worlds. The tidings are brought to him by his two ravens, Huginn and Muninn (“thought” and “memory”). He also presides over Valhalla, where the Einherjar (dead warriors) fight, feast, and await Ragnarok.