Important Objects
In Norse Mythology
By Molly Kalafut
A surprising number of objects in Norse mythology have names, ranging from jewelry to vats to kettles to swords. This is a listing of many named and important objects in Norse mythology.
Amber
Amber is considered sacred to Freyja and was used as a sacrifice to gods and goddesses. It is said that when Freyja could not find her husband Odr, she shed tears that became amber as they hit trees (the tears that hit the ground turned to gold).
Andvaranaut
The name of the ring that was said to have been taken from Brynhildr by Sigurdr and given to Gudrun.
Apples of Youth
The apples of youth are magic apples that keep the gods and godesses perpetually young. The apples grow in a golden box and are kept by Idunna.
Bodn
A vat mentioned in the Prose Edda.
Brísingamen
Freya's beautiful golden necklace "Brisingamen" was one of the greatest Norse treasures.
Dáinsleif
Dáinsleif was Högni's sword mentioned in the Prose Edda.
Draupnir
"Dripping". Odin's magic arm-ring. Every 9th night, eight new bracelets drop from it. It was created by the gnome Sindri.
Eldhrímnir
Eldhrímnir is kettle mentioned in the Prose Edda.
Elfin-Beam
Elfin-Beam is the sun.
Gelgja
Gelgja was a chain mentioned in the Prose Edda.
Gjöll
Gjöll is a rock mentioned in the Prose Edda.
Gjallar-Horn, Gjallarhorn
Gjallar-Horn is Heimdallr's trumpet.
Gleipnir
Gleipnir was used to bind the Fenris-Wolf.
Gramr, Gramar
"Then Reginn fashioned the sword Gramr, which was so sharp that Sigurdr, bringing it down into running water, cut asunder a flock of wool which drifted down-stream onto the sword's edge." -Prose Edda
Gramr is Sigurdr Fáfnisbani's sword.
Gungnir
Odin's magic spear that never misses it mark. It was created by the sons of the gnome Ivaldi.
Head
Head is Heimdallr's sword.
Hringhorni
Hringhorni is Baldur's funeral boat.
Lidskjalf
Lisdkjalf is Odin's throne on the tallest tower in Asgard. From this throne he could see the whole world.
Mead
Mead is an alcoholic beverage made from water, honey and malt.
Mjöllnir
"He has also three things of great price: one is the hammer Mjöllnir, which the Rime-Giants and the Hill-Giants know, when it is raised on high; and that is no wonder, it has bruised many a skull among their fathers or their kinsmen." -Prose Edda
Mjöllnir is Thor's magic hammer, called "Thunderbolt". It is one of his three things of great price and power. It crushes anything it hits (bruising many skulls!) and magically returns to Thor's hand. It was created by the gnome Sindri.
Nagelfar
The ship that brings ghosts to Ragnarok is called Nagelfar. It was said to be made from the nails of dead men. It was customary to cut short the nails of corpses to help prolong the time until Ragnarok.
Runes
Ancient symbols used for magic and writing. They may have come from an old Germanic alphabet (originally from Greek script). Archaeologists have found stone tablets in northern Europe written in the Runic alphabet. This website with runes has lovely photos and descriptions.
Skidbladnir
Skidbladnir is Frey's magic ship. It could change size and sail over land and sea. It was created by the sons of the gnome Ivaldi.
Well of Wisdom
A well located in Jotunheim. It was owned by the jotun Mimr and contained the knowledge of the jotun race.
Yggdrasil
Yggdrasil is the "world-tree", an enormous ash tree linking the separate worlds. This ash tree is the source of life with several roots. One root leads to Asgard and one to Niflheim. The serpent Nidhogg gnaws at the roots, and an eagle sits on the top of the tree. The Norns care for the tree to keep it healthy. The Christmas tree comes from this tree.