Jörmungandr facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jörmungandr
Personal information
Parents	Loki and Angrboda
Siblings	Fenrir, Hel

Jörmungandr is a sea serpent in Norse mythology. He is the middle child of the god Loki and the giantess Angrboða. His full siblings are Fenrir and Hel. Jörmungandr is so massive that it encircles the world (Midgard) and grasps its own tail, forming an endless loop. It dwells in the ocean that surrounds Midgard.

According to the myth, Odin cast Jörmungandr into the sea to protect the world from its immense size and destructive potential. The serpent grew so big that he was able to surround the Earth and grasp his own tail, and as a result he earned the alternate name of the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent.

Jörmungandr's arch enemy is the god Thor, the god of thunder. One famous myth involves Thor fishing for Jörmungandr using an ox head as bait. He nearly pulls the serpent out of the water, but the giant Hymir cuts the line out of fear, allowing Jörmungandr to escape.

Thor and Jörmungandr are destined to face each other during Ragnarök (the end of the world). During Ragnarök, Thor and Jörmungandr are fated to kill each other: Thor will slay the serpent but will die from its venom shortly after.

Jörmungandr has inspired countless works of fiction, including books, video games, and movies. It often appears as a symbol of apocalyptic power or as a formidable foe in fantasy settings. Examples include its appearances in Marvel Comics (as a foe of Thor) and games like God of War and SMITE.

Asteroid 471926 Jörmungandr was named after the fictional sea serpent.

Images for kids

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  Jörmungandr rising to the ox head bait, from the 17th-century Icelandic manuscript AM 738 4to

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  The Altuna Runestone

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  Thor and the Midgard Serpent (1905) by Emil Doepler

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  The children of Loki (1920) by Willy Pogany

See also

In Spanish: Jörmundgander para niños