Norse Mythology Research Paper

For thousands of years, there have been numerous theories of who the supreme ruler of the universe is and where people go after death, if they even go anywhere. One of the world’s oldest theories, Norse mythology, dates back to some five thousand years ago (Valkomin). The world’s current leading religion, Christianity, is a younger religion in comparison, but is still relevant (Lui).

Norse mythology was believed by Scandinavians from approximately 793-1000 CE (Valkomin). Odin was believed to be their chief god. He craved wisdom and always tried to share the wisdom he had acquired through experiences in his own life and other gods’ lives with others. However, justice, fairness, and respect for laws were disregarded by Odin. He was worshipped

by those who were searching for prestige, honor, and nobility. One of his three deaths involved hanging himself from the world tree, Yggdrasil. He hung himself for nine days and nights and was pierced by a spear. After this, he rose again to preside over Valhalla. Odin sacrificed himself to himself in order to gain wisdom (Odin). It was considered a spiritual death amongst those who worshipped him. Jesus Christ is the son of God in Christianity. Like Odin, he would share his wisdom with others, but he preached of his Father’s will. Christ values justice, fairness, and morals. He was -- and still is -- worshipped by all Christians. He was nailed to a cross and crucified with a spear and was sacrificed to free others from sin and not at all for his own benefit. He hung on the cross for some six hours before being killed. He was placed in a tomb, and after three days and nights, rose again. Christ was crucified in God’s chosen land of Israel.
Christians believe that after death, a person goes to either heaven or hell.

If they have lived a moral life and believe in the Lord as the one true God, they will make it to heaven after they die. However, if they neglect their morals and deny the Lord, they will go to hell. Hell is overseen by Satan, who was once an angel, was cast down from heaven after taking too much pride in himself. He is now the symbol of evil and temptation, and he is the deceiver that leads people off the path of righteousness. Only God can make the judgement of whether they go to heaven or hell. Valhalla, the most esteemed of the dwelling-places of the dead in Norse Mythology, translates to “the hall of the fallen” (Afterlife). It is a great hall in the Kingdom of Asgard. Only those that Odin deems worthy enter Valhalla. Their moral standings and actions on earth are irrelevant to the gods. Those worthy are the greatest warriors that worship Odin. After a battle, Odin visits the battlefield and chooses half of the warriors to enter Valhalla. Freyja, the goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, takes the other half to Folkvangr, where she presides. Those who do not die in battle are chosen by Odin to enter Valhalla, or to go to Helheim, which means “the grave.” Those who go to Helheim do not particularly have an afterlife but just remain as stagnant souls wherever they happened to

die.
The Bible is the sacred book that contains prophecies, history, laws, parables, and other things concerning those of the Christian faith. Throughout the book, there are prophecies of the end of the world. Most of these scriptures are in the section of the book called Revelations, but a verse in the book of Matthews explains, “The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken” (Bible). The book foretells of the return of the Son of God. It says that when he returns, he will take back those who are worthy of going to Heaven. Those who are to go to Hell will remain on earth for the trials of the end before going to Hell. According to Norse beliefs, the end is different. It is not necessarily the end of mankind but the end of the gods. Ragnarok, meaning “the Doom of the gods,” is a massive battle between the gods. Odin was worried about defeating Fenrir, father of the wolves and the son of his son. The prophecies state that many gods such as Loki, Thor, Odin, Freyr, and many others will die in the battle. It is said that Ragnarok has not yet happened, but may occur at some point in the near future (Ragnarok).
Although Odin would be nearly five thousand years old and Christ would be nearly two thousand years old, the are still striking similarities in their life and death stories. Their values, however, strongly differ. Norse beliefs include Valhalla, Helheim, and Folkvang in the afterlife, while Christians beliefs include a Heaven and a Hell. Christian end times involve calling God’s people home, but Norse end times involve the gods, though both are tragic occurrences. Norse religion is no longer followed by much of anyone, for it was almost completely wiped out by the end of the 1600s. Christianity, however, is still currently the world’s leading religion.