Scandinavian mythology as one of the foundations of world religion

The ancient Germans lived a tribal system. Each tribe had its own deities and beliefs, which differed significantly from each other.

One of the ancient German mythologies is based on Scandinavian legends. The inhabitants of the northern part of Europe were too far from extraneous influences, for this reason they had a better and longer culture and beliefs. It is Scandinavian mythology that has survived to the present day, preserved in two literary works. One collection called "Elder Edda" consists of poetic hymns, the second is written in prose and is called "Younger Edda". The author of these works is Snorri Sturluson, who lived in the XIII century.

Scandinavian mythology is close to the myths of the Slavs associated with the Scandinavians strong bonds. These geographically close peoples in the cult and people's celebrations had much in common. They celebrated the same calendar holidays (for example, summer and winter solstice).

According to Scandinavian mythology, initially there was only a world abyss filled with emptiness and darkness. First born was the beginning of the world, the bisexual giant Ymir. According to Scandinavian mythology, the gods divided his body into several parts and created from them the sky, water and earth. After that, the great gods Odin, Lodur and Henir raised the land from the bottom of the world ocean, ennobled it and gave life to the first people. Thus, the beginning of the existing order of things was given.

The most important gods and goddesses of the Scandinavian pantheon were distinguished by their individual features and various functions. Each of these deities was associated with a whole series of myths. Some experts argue that the Scandinavian mythology has much in common with the ancient Greek. However, a similar feature can only be considered polytheism.

Supreme God in Scandinavian mythology was considered One, who was endowed with the features of a strong shaman, a sage. God called storm, thunder and fertility, the main defender of giants and terrible monsters called Tora. He was portrayed as a hero with a red beard, who was armed with a battle hammer.

As narrated by the Scandinavian mythology, Loki performed among the gods the role of a mythical rogue, in which the cunning and the comic were intertwined. He participates in the creation of people together with Odin, as a companion of the ingenious Thor, helping him in the fight against monsters. In Scandinavian mythology, the god of fertility, peace and wealth was Freyr. His sister was Odin's wife. Freya (and that's what her name was) was the goddess of love, beauty and fertility. She was looking for her husband Odin, mourning him with golden tears.

The whole Scandinavian mythology makes an extraordinary impression. Apparently, it belonged to courageous and harsh people who were not afraid to face death in the face. All participants know that the course of events leads to the death of the world, but honestly and steadfastly fulfill their duty. Such a conviction was caused by the way of life of Scandinavian prince-yarls, their vigilantes and skaldic poets. Thus, this mythology can be said to be a direct reflection of those harsh and difficult conditions in which the people who created it lived.