Bifröst facts for kids
In Norse mythology, Bifröst is a famous bridge that connects two important worlds. It links Midgard, which is the world where humans live, to Asgard, the home of the gods. Imagine a giant, colorful rainbow stretching across the sky – that's Bifröst!
The gods use this bridge every single day. They cross it to reach a special meeting place called Urdarbrunn, also known as the Well of Urd. This well is located under the huge world tree, Yggdrasill. There, the gods gather to discuss important matters and make decisions.
Bifröst was built by the powerful Æsir gods themselves. It is carefully watched over by the god Heimdall. He is known for his excellent eyesight and hearing, making him the perfect guardian for such a vital connection between worlds.
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Why is Bifröst Special?
Bifröst is not just any bridge; it's a rainbow bridge, shining with many colors. It's strong enough for most of the gods to travel across. However, there's one god who isn't allowed to use it: Thor, the god of thunder. The myths say that Thor is so powerful, his heavy steps might damage or even break the delicate rainbow bridge. Because of this, he has to find other ways to get to Asgard.
The End of Bifröst
Sadly, Bifröst is not meant to last forever. In Norse mythology, there is a prophecy about the end of the world, known as Ragnarök. During Ragnarök, a huge army of giants and spirits of the dead will attack Asgard. They will try to cross Bifröst to reach the gods' home. When this happens, the beautiful rainbow bridge will be destroyed.
Other Names for Bifröst
Bifröst is its most common name, but you might also hear it called by a few other names in old stories:
- Bilröst
- Ásbrú (which means "Bridge of the Æsir")
- Bifrost (a slightly different spelling)
Images for kids
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Thor wades through rivers while the rest of the æsir ride across Bifröst (1895) by Lorenz Frølich.
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Bifröst appears in the background as the gods do battle in Battle of the Doomed Gods (1882) by Friedrich Wilhelm Heine.
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Bifröst is shattered in The twilight of the gods (1920) by Willy Pogany.
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Bifröst in the background, Heimdallr explains to a young Hnoss how all things came to be (1920) by Willy Pogany.
See also
In Spanish: Bifröst para niños
