Nidhogg

Nidhogg

In Norse mythology, Níðhöggr (also spelled Níðhǫggr, meaning "Malice Striker" or "Curse Striker") is a dragon that gnaws at one of the roots of the World Tree, Yggdrasil. In Viking society, the term níð referred to a grave social stigma, indicating dishonour or infamy. This association underscores Níðhöggr's role as a fearsome creature that consumes the corpses of evildoers—murderers, rapists, and oath-breakers—those who committed the gravest sins in Norse culture.

Spelling Variations

In standardised Old Norse, the name is written as Níðhǫggr, but modern Icelandic often replaces ǫ with ö for technical or practical reasons. English texts may render the name with variations like:

  • i for í
  • th, d, or (rarely) dh for ð
  • o for ǫ
  • Omitting the final r in line with modern Scandinavian forms, e.g., Danish Nidhug, Norwegian Nidhogg, and Swedish Nidhögg.

The Icelandic form Níðhöggur also appears, as do anglicised spellings.

Prose Edda

In Gylfaginning (part of the Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson), Níðhöggr is described as a serpent or dragon that gnaws at one of Yggdrasil’s three roots. This root lies over Niflheimr, and Níðhöggr attacks it from below. The text also notes:

"The squirrel Ratatoskr runs up and down the ash, carrying spiteful words between the eagle and Níðhöggr."

In Skáldskaparmál, Snorri lists Níðhöggr among other serpentine beings, including:

"Dragon, Fafnir, Jörmungandr, Otter, Nidhogg, Serpent, Viper, Goin, Moin, Grafvitnir, Grabak, Ofnir, Svafnir, Masked One."

Snorri likely drew his knowledge of Níðhöggr from the Poetic Edda, specifically the poems Grímnismál and Völuspá. He also includes Níðhöggr in a list of sword names later in Skáldskaparmál.

Poetic Edda

Grímnismál

In Grímnismál, various beings living on Yggdrasil are described, and the tree is said to endure suffering due to their actions. Níðhöggr gnaws at the root from below, while Ratatoskr delivers messages between Níðhöggr and the eagle atop the tree. Snorri frequently quotes this poem as a source.

Völuspá

Níðhöggr is mentioned twice in Völuspá. The first reference appears in a grim description of Náströnd ("Corpse Shore"):

A hall she saw standing
far from the sun,
On Náströnd it stood,
and the doors faced north;
Venom drops fell
through the smoke-vent,
That hall was woven
of serpent spines.

She saw there wading
heavy streams
Men who swore false oaths,
and murderers,
And workers of ill
with the wives of men;
There Níðhöggr sucked
the corpses of the dead,
And the wolf tore men.
Would you know yet more?

In this context, Níðhöggr consumes the bodies of the damned, highlighting his connection to punishment and dishonour.

The second mention of Níðhöggr comes at the poem's conclusion, where he is described as a flying dragon:

Then comes the shadowy
dragon flying,
Glittering serpent, from beneath
Niðafjöll;
He bears in his pinions—
flies over the field—
Malice Striker, corpses.
Now he will sink.

The exact meaning of this passage is debated. Prevailing interpretations suggest that Níðhöggr's appearance heralds Ragnarök, the end of the world. Alternatively, some scholars propose that it may symbolise a cycle of renewal, with Níðhöggr shedding the corpses of the dishonoured to begin anew, akin to a macabre phoenix. Others suggest he gathers the righteous rulers mentioned earlier in Völuspá to transport them to Gimlé, the safe haven after Ragnarök.

 

Nidhogg in Modern Culture

Video Games

  1. Fate of the Norns: Nidhogg appears as part of the game's Norse mythological setting.
  2. Tower of Saviors: A character based on Nidhogg features in this game.
  3. Age of Mythology: Nidhogg is depicted as a dragon unit associated with Norse mythology.
  4. Final Fantasy XI & XIV: Nidhogg is a recurring boss in these games, portrayed as a powerful and vengeful dragon.
  5. Megami Tensei: Nidhogg appears as one of the mythological creatures players can summon or fight.
  6. World of Warcraft: Elements of Nidhogg influence the lore and world design, including a draconic figure tied to Norse mythology.
  7. Ragnarok Online: Nidhogg is featured as part of the Norse-inspired lore in this MMORPG.
  8. Nidhogg (2014) and its sequel Nidhogg 2 (2017): Indie dueling games directly named after the mythological creature.
  9. Devil May Cry 5 (2019): Nidhogg appears as a parasitic entity that helps players progress by devouring parts of the demon tree’s roots, a clear nod to Yggdrasil.
  10. La-Mulana 2 (2018): Nidhogg is a sub-boss encountered in the roots of Yggdrasil.
  11. Jotun (2015): Nidhogg is depicted gnawing at the root of Yggdrasil in a level set within the World Tree.
  12. Empires and Puzzles: Nidhogg serves as a main antagonist in the Valhalla-themed third season.

Anime and Manga

  1. Soul Eater: Nidhogg is the name of a ghost ship controlled by the villain, The Flying Dutchman. Its "belly" stores souls that are consumed by the character Ragnarok.
  2. To The Abandoned Sacred Beasts: Nidhogg is personified as a monstrous dragon incarnated in a super-soldier who loses his humanity and is ultimately killed by his captain.

Fantasy Literature

  1. The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott: Nidhogg appears as a monstrous creature in this fantasy series.

Music

  1. Amon Amarth: The Swedish melodic death metal band features Nidhogg as the theme of their song "On a Sea of Blood" from the album Jomsviking.

Films and Television

  1. Marvel Cinematic Universe:
    • In Captain America: The First Avenger, Nidhogg's eye is depicted as a button on a carving of Yggdrasil, used by the Red Skull to access the Tesseract.
    • Loki references the myth indirectly in his series, where Norse elements often resurface.
  2. Victor Magtanggol (2018): The Philippine TV series portrays Nidhogg as a snake-like creature with small arms and bat wings, serving Loki as a pet and advisor.

Space Exploration

  • Eve Online: A class of Minmatar carrier ships is named Nidhoggur, continuing the game’s tradition of using Norse mythology for ship names, such as Loki, Hel, and Ragnarok.

Comparisons in Other Media

  • The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: The antagonist Alduin, who devours souls in Sovngarde and heralds the world’s end, is often likened to Nidhogg due to their shared destructive and corpse-consuming roles.

Weapons and Items

  • Fire Emblem: Nidhogg is the name of a bow in Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones and Fire Emblem Heroes.

Miscellaneous

  • Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War: Two squadrons, Grabacr and Ofnir, are named after mythical Norse serpents, paralleling Nidhogg's associations with Yggdrasil.

Nidhogg’s enduring legacy in popular culture highlights its symbolic role as a destructive yet essential force, resonating across media with its mythological themes of decay, renewal, and punishment.

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