Ragnarök facts for kids
In Norse mythology, Ragnarök is a super important event. It means "fate of the gods" and is like the end of the world as they knew it. It's a huge battle where the gods, called the Æsir, led by Odin, fight against powerful fire giants and scary monsters, led by the trickster god Loki. During this battle, many gods, giants, and monsters will die, and almost everything in the universe will be destroyed. But don't worry, it's also about a new world rising from the ashes!
Contents
Key Battles and Their Outcomes
The battle of Ragnarök was epic, with many important fights between gods and their enemies. Here are some of the main ones:
Gods Versus Giants and Monsters
- Freyr vs. Surtr: Freyr, a god of peace and fertility, fought the fiery giant Surtr. Freyr had given away his magical sword before, so he was unarmed. Because of this, Surtr defeated and killed him.
- Odin vs. Fenrir: Odin, the leader of the gods, faced the giant wolf Fenrir. Fenrir was incredibly strong and swallowed Odin whole during the battle.
- Víðarr vs. Fenrir: After Fenrir killed Odin, Víðarr, Odin's son, stepped forward. He bravely avenged his father by slaying Fenrir.
- Thor vs. Jörmungandr: Thor, the god of thunder, had a long-standing enemy in the giant serpent Jormungandr. In their final fight, both Thor and Jormungandr killed each other.
- Týr vs. Garmr: Tyr, the god of war and justice, fought against Garmr, a fierce hound guarding the underworld. Both Tyr and Garmr died in their struggle.
- Heimdall vs. Loki: The guardian god Heimdall faced the trickster god Loki. They both gave each other deadly wounds. Loki refused to die until he saw the world's destruction.
Other Gods Who Died
Many other gods also died during Ragnarök. These included Bragi, Ve, Hel, Brunhilde (a valkyrie), and Meili (Thor's brother). Njord, a god of the sea, did not fight in the battle but died when the giant Surtr set his home, Vanaheim, on fire.
The World on Fire
After the battles, the giant Surtr used his flaming sword to cover the entire world in fire. This fire destroyed almost everything. Surtr himself also died in the flames he created.
Who Survived Ragnarök?
Even though most of the world was destroyed, and many gods died, some survived! These survivors would help create a new world.
Surviving Gods
Not many male gods survived Ragnarök. The known survivors include Aegir, Vidar, Vali, Hoenir, Vili, Magni, Modi, Hermóðr, Forseti, and Ullr.
Surviving Goddesses
Most of the goddesses survived the great battle. These include Frigg, Freya, Sif, Thrud, Idun, Saga, Eir, Gefjun, Fulla, Sjofn, Lofn, Var, Vor, Syn, and Hlin. However, a few goddesses like Snotra, Gna, and Nanna did not survive.
A New World Rises
After the fire and destruction, a new, green world was expected to emerge from the waters. The surviving gods would gather, and a new age would begin. This shows that even after great destruction, there is hope for a new beginning.
Images for kids
-
The north portal of the 12th-century Urnes stave church has been interpreted as containing depictions of snakes and dragons that represent Ragnarök.
-
Then the Awful Fight Began (by George Wright, 1908)
-
Battle of the Doomed Gods (by Friedrich Wilhelm Heine, 1882)
-
The twilight of the gods (by Willy Pogany, 1920)
-
Fenrir and Odin (by Lorenz Frølich, 1895)
-
Loki breaks free at the onset of Ragnarök (by Ernst H. Walther, 1897)
-
Thorwald's Cross, on the grounds of Kirk Andreas, Isle of Man
-
A composite image of three different angles of the Ledberg stone
See also
In Spanish: Ragnarök para niños
