Norse mythology revolves around an ever green ash tree of prodigious dimensions, on which the universe is supported, Yggdrasil. It is the axis of the world, the mighty ash, the giver of life and immortality, though there is no myth which described the creation of Yggdrasil. Yggdrasil probably means Horse of Ygg, one of Odin's names. He was said to have hung in agony from the tree, to gain power over the runes, which brought knowledge to those who could interpret them.

The great ash tree held together the three planes that made up the world. On the first layer were the worlds Asgard, Vanaheim and Alfheim. On the second layer were Midgard, Jotunheim, Nidavellir and Svartalfheim. On the third and bottomost layer were Hel and Nifelheim. The tree passed from the depths of the underworld through the world of men and into the sky, overshadowing the halls of Valahalla.

Near the root which penetrated Niflhel, the underworld, gushed forth the fountain Hvergelmir, the source of the primitive rivers where time was measured in its laughter. The second root plunged into the land of giants, covered with frost and ice. There flowed the fountain Mimir, the source of hidden wisdom. The third and last root overhung the fountain of the wisest of the Norns, Urd. Each day, Urd drew water from the well, and sprinkled the ash tree with its water so the tree would not wither.

In the highest branches dwelled the golden cock, representing vigilance, surveying the horizon, warning the gods whenever their ancient enemies, the Giants, prepared to attack them. On the bough was the eagle and serpent, who represented light and dark in perpetual conflict, which created the phenomenon of night and day, with light usurping darkness, but falling to it all the same. The nimble squirrel Ratatoskr, the mischief-maker, constantly created strife between the two powers.

Under the branches of the great ash tree, the horn of the god Heimdall was hidden. One day this trumpet would sound to announce the final battle of the Aesir against all those who wished to cause their downfall. Near the trunk was the place where the gods met daily to render justice, and in its branches, Heidrum, the goat browsed. She gave Odin's warriors not milk, but mead, from which they were nourished.

Malevolent demons constantly schemed to destroy Yggdrasil. The serpent Nidhogg, lurked under the third root and gnawed at it ceaselessly. Four stags wandered among its foliage and chewed off all the buds, later becoming the fall winds, creating winds upon earthly lands. Their efforts to remove the buds were never fast enough as new ones would grow at each moment, thanks to the care and attention of the Norns.

Yggdrasil symbolized the battle between light and dark. It was the subject of constant decay and renewal. It was in its extensive foliage the immortal beasts enacted their cyclic routine, and was the stage for universal notions such as life, time and destiny.

Next: Creation >>