Every nation has its own culture, religion, philosophy.As long as Christianity in the West has not become the dominant religion of the country worshiped the forces of nature and various creatures.Particular interest represent the gods of the ancient Vikings, people who instilled fear in the population of the coastal cities.After all, they professed paganism longer than inhabitants of other European countries.
special system of the universe
Gods of the Vikings, the list of which is very impressive, are descended from the god Heimdal.He had three sons, who gave birth to the three social groups: the slaves (the descendants of Trelew), soldiers (descendants Jarl) and cultivators (descendants of Charlemagne).The brave Norsemen or Vikings, as they are called in Russia, is considered the progenitor of their Jarl, his son Kona (kings).Therefore feat of arms was considered a noble, so that they are destined to do.The Scandinavians believed that the gods lived in a fabulous location - Mitgarde, which was surrounded by Uthgardt.In this part of the universe we lived different monsters, dwarfs and giants.With these forces of evil gods waged a constant struggle.At a certain time to begin the greatest battle in which all perish.But then again, the world will be reborn and become more pure paradise.
Gods conquerors seas
As expected paganism, each god had a sphere of its functions and, for that answer.They looked like ordinary people, only had a hit.Slightly lower in the hierarchy of the gods of the Vikings were the Valkyries - warlike virgins, who were awarded a warrior or a victory at the behest of the gods, or the glorious death on the battlefield.We worshiped as the Norns, who spun the thread of human destiny and determine which would be his life.
gods themselves, according to the "Younger Edda", divided into two families: Wana - patrons of agriculture and fertility, and aces - the dominant group, like the Olympians of ancient Hellas.Previously, they were enemies, but then made peace.Here are the names of the gods of the Vikings (main):
- One - the presiding deity with a sharp temper, unrestrained and unpredictable, but a very wise man, his name is almost never mentioned, it is not written in runes;
- Thor - the god of thunder and lightning;
- Frey - the god of fertility;
- Balder;
- Loki;
- Heard;
- Wali;
- Heimdall;
- Ullr;
- Braga;
- Njord;
- Tyr;
- Vidar;
- Frigg - Odin's wife;
- Iduna - the goddess of youth, the keeper of rejuvenating apples of pure gold;
- Freya - the goddess of love;
- Sif - Thor's wife.
One - god of the Vikings
This is the main god who was considered the most strong and powerful.He had only one eye.According to legend, the supreme god of the Vikings sacrificed the other eye to drink from the fountain of wisdom.Spring, located at the world tree Yggdrasil, guarding the giant Mimir, who demanded that one pays.Giant later killed himself, but his head and continue to help good advice.
God sat on his horse Sleipnir octopus and held a spear in his hand.Served one two ravens that brought him to lead the whole world.His house was a Valhalla where the Valkyries led the souls of dead soldiers (it was a great honor and the ultimate dream of a Viking).At this point, the soul of soldiers trained and fun waiting for the great battle against evil.
Thor Thunder
very honored was one.Viking God Thor - the second most important.He is the son of Odin and commanded weather and harvest rains and storms, thunder and lightning.If the element is strongly raging, the priests were told to sacrifice the Torah.His character was perfect: he regards everything from understanding was calm and reliable.But at the same time, he possessed great physical strength, with which fought against evil (ie giants Mandgardskim Serpent).Thor wore a huge hammer and drove a cart drawn by goats.That suspension as a weapon of the god worn around the neck as a talisman (as pectoral cross).The name of God is mentioned on rune stones in many sagas in his honor named many geographic features.
Frey, giving happiness
world ruled by one.Viking God Freyr was also very honored, because it was thought that he gives people joy and peace.His statue with a huge penis sacrificed during wedding celebrations.He also considered the progenitor Ynglings, the royal family.Unfortunately, the famous statue was destroyed by the bishop of Aegina during the Christianization of northern Europe.But until we reached a small figurine of a god made of bronze.God sister was Freya.
Sinister Loki
It is contradictory God, cunning and crafty.His children were the wolf Fenrir and the Midgard serpent.Loki was the instigator, set against each other gods and men, plotting, cheating, so certain was the personification of evil.However, he was appreciated for sharp wit, incredible beauty and the ability to change his appearance.And the gods often asked him if it was necessary to find a solution in a difficult situation.
Adoration of the great gods
Scandinavians - special people who lived in difficult environmental conditions.They did not build permanent houses themselves, do not lead a sedentary life.Perhaps, therefore, it has left no temples or other places of worship.However, Odin (Viking god), Thor, Freya and the other deities had a place of worship.It was a sanctuary in the open air, surrounded by stone embankments and rare graves.The most important religious center of the Normans was Uppsala, where there was a gilded shrine.It is surrounded by a sacred grove in which the trees were hanging sacrifices to the gods - the bodies of people and animals.Chronicler Adam of Bremen in his book (about 1075) describes this temple.According to him, there were three giant statues.One of them is portrayed Frey, the other - is a third - the Torah.Regularly, every nine years in Uppsala people gathered to pay homage to the gods, to remember the dead ancestors who worshiped nothing less than gods.
