Yggdrasil, known as the World Tree, connects the nine realms in Norse mythology. Three greats roots reach from the bottom of the tree into three of the worlds - Jotunheim, Nilfheim, and Asgard. Jotunheim is where the Jotuns, the frost giants, live (the Jotuns page contains more information on this). Nilfheim is known as the land of mist. Asgard is the land of the gods, where Odin, Thor, and many others dwell.
The World Tree provided passage between the nine realms, though such passage was lengthy and risky. There was only one creature who could easily traverse the World Tree, a squirrel named Ratatosk who carried insults between an eagle perched on the top branch and a dragon at the root of the tree. The dragon's name was Nidhogg, and he gnawed endlessly on the root in an attempt to destroy the tree. Yggdrasil was magic, however, and could not be destroyed. The World Tree also contained many secrets and knowledge. The myth about how it got its name relates to this. Yggdrasil translates to "Odin's horse". Long ago, Odin wanted the knowledge held within the tree, so he hung himself from the tree for nine days and nine nights. A spring located near one of the tree's roots contained water filled with wisdom. Odin sacrificed one of his eyes to drink from this spring, which made him wise beyond comparison. After this, he wore an eye patch. Yggdrasil also appears in the prophecy about Ragnarok, the end of the universe. It is said that the Bifrost will shatter, Odin and Thor will be killed by monsters, and all of the realms will be swallowed up by water and fire. The only thing that will survive is Yggdrasil. Inside the tree one man and one woman will take shelter and live through Ragnarok, so that humans will not go extinct. |