Niflheim
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In Norse cosmology, Niflheim or Niflheimr (Old Norse: [ˈnivlˌhɛimz̠]; "world of mist," literally "home of mist") is described as a realm that sometimes overlaps with the concepts of Niflhel and Helheim. The name Niflheimr is found in only two surviving sources:
- Gylfaginning (from The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson)
- The debated Hrafnagaldr Óðins.
Niflheim is primarily depicted as a realm of primordial ice and cold, featuring the frozen rivers of Élivágar and the well of Hvergelmir, from which all rivers originate.
According to Gylfaginning, Niflheim was one of the two primordial realms that emerged from the Ginnungagap, the other being Muspelheim, the realm of fire. The creation of the world began when the waters of Niflheim mixed with the heat of Muspelheim, forming a "creative steam." Later, Niflheim became the dwelling of Hel, the goddess and daughter of Loki, as well as the afterlife for her subjects—those who did not die a heroic or notable death.
Etymology
The word Nifl ("mist") is related to the Old English nifol ("dark, gloomy"), (Middle) Dutch nevel, Old High German nebul ("fog"), and the Ancient Greek νεφέλη (nepʰé.lɛː, "cloud").
Gylfaginning
In Snorri Sturluson's Gylfaginning, King Gylfi of ancient Scandinavia is taught Norse mythology by Odin, who appears as three men. Gylfi learns from Odin (as Jafnhárr) that Niflheimr was the first world created, following Muspelheim:
"Many ages before the earth was shaped, the world of mist [Niflheimr] was formed; and in its center lies the well called Hvergelmir, from which spring rivers named Svöl, Gunnthrá, Fjörm, Fimbulthul, Slídr and Hríd, Sylgr and Ylgr, Víd and Leiptr; Gjöll runs close to the gates of Hel."
Odin (as Þriði) further explains to Gylfi that creation began when the ice of Niflheimr met the flames of Muspelheimr, leading to the formation of Ymir:
"As cold and all things grim came from Niflheimr, so also all that looked toward Muspelheimr was hot and bright; but Ginnungagap was as mild as a windless sky. When the breath of heat met the frost, it melted and dripped, and from these drops, through the power of the one who sent the heat, life was awakened, and a human shape was formed. This man is called Ymir, though the frost giants call him Aurgelmir..."
In relation to the World Tree, Yggdrasill, Jafnhárr tells Gylfi that one of its roots extends over Niflheim:
"The ash is the greatest and best of all trees; its branches spread over the whole world and reach above the heavens. Three roots hold the tree up and extend far: one is among the Æsir, another among the rim-thurses at the place where the gaping void once was, and the third is over Niflheim, and beneath this root lies Hvergelmir, where Níðhöggr gnaws at the root from below."
Gylfi also learns that Loki's daughter Hel was cast into Niflheim by Odin:
"Hel he cast into Niflheim, and gave her authority over nine worlds, to divide among those sent to her—people who died of sickness or old age. She has great possessions there; her walls are high, and her gates wide."
Thus, Hel became the ruler of those who died of illness or old age. This is the only instance where Niflheim and Hel are equated (in the Poetic Edda, Hel is mentioned, but nothing is said about Niflheim). Some manuscript variations create confusion, as some mention Niflheim while others refer to Niflhel (the lowest level of Hel). For example, in describing the fate of the jötunn slain by Thor after building Asgard:
"When the Æsir saw that the mountain giant had come, they broke their oaths and called upon Thor, who came swiftly. He immediately lifted the hammer Mjöllnir and paid the giant his wages—not with the sun and moon, nor even a place in Jötunheim, but with the first blow that shattered his skull into pieces and sent him down below to Niflhel [Niflheim]."
Hrafnagaldr Óðins
In Hrafnagaldr Óðins, Niflheim is briefly mentioned as a northern location where the sun (described as Alf's illuminator) chased the night:
"The powers rose,
Alf's illuminator ran,
North before Niflheim
it drove the night.
Argjöll ran upward,
Ulfrún's son,
The mighty horn-blower,
From the heavens' heights."