Snakes in Norse mythology hold a fascinating place, representing both chaos and protection, destruction and rebirth. The most famous serpent from Norse legends is Jörmungandr, the World Serpent, whose coiled body encircles Midgard (the human world). But Norse mythology features more than just one famous snake. These serpents appear in various tales, serving as symbols of power, danger, and transformation.
In this article, we’ll dive into the roles of snakes in Norse mythology and explore their deeper meanings.
Overview of Snakes in Norse Mythology
- Jörmungandr, the World Serpent: As the child of Loki, Jörmungandr symbolizes cycles of life and destruction. Its coiled body encircling Midgard represents eternity, and it plays a central role in Ragnarök, battling Thor in the Norse apocalypse.
- Nidhogg, the Root Gnawer: This serpent resides at the base of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, constantly chewing its roots. It symbolizes decay and the inevitable destruction that leads to renewal in Norse cosmology.
- Loki’s Connection to Snakes: Loki, the trickster god, is closely tied to serpents through his parentage of Jörmungandr and his punishment involving a venomous snake. His connection highlights themes of chaos, suffering, and the balance between destruction and justice in Norse mythology.
The World Serpent: Jörmungandr
No discussion of snakes in Norse mythology is complete without Jörmungandr, one of the three children of Loki and the giantess Angrboda.
According to myth, the gods threw Jörmungandr into the ocean, where it grew so large that it encircled the entirety of Midgard, biting its own tail. This ouroboros-like imagery symbolizes cycles—of time, life, and destruction.
Jörmungandr is central to the story of Ragnarök, the Norse apocalypse. During this cataclysm, Jörmungandr will release its tail, unleashing chaos on the world. It is fated to do battle with Thor, the god of thunder, and while Thor will slay the serpent, he will succumb to its venom shortly after. This tale illustrates the balance of power in Norse mythology—where even gods are not immune to the forces of nature.
Jörmungandr’s dual role as both a threat and a natural force is similar to how snakes are portrayed in other mythologies. For instance, in Japanese mythology, snakes like Yamata no Orochi embody chaos and transformation, while in Egyptian mythology, serpents like Apep represent destruction and rebirth.
Nidhogg: The Serpent of the Roots
Another significant snake in Norse mythology is Nidhogg, the dragon or serpent that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, the World Tree. Yggdrasil connects the nine realms of existence in Norse cosmology, and Nidhogg’s relentless chewing symbolizes decay and the cyclical nature of life and death.
Nidhogg’s presence in Norse mythology reflects the inevitability of destruction as a precursor to renewal. This theme can also be seen in other mythologies. In Greek mythology, for example, the serpent-like Hydra regrows its heads when cut, symbolizing resilience and regeneration.
Serpents as Symbols of Protection and Danger
In Norse culture, snakes could be both protective and dangerous. The coiled serpent often appeared in Viking art, such as on runestones and jewelry. These depictions may have served as protective talismans, warding off evil forces. This dual nature is echoed in Voodoo, where Damballa, the serpent god, is both a creator figure and a symbol of powerful, neutral energy.
The Vikings likely associated serpents with their natural environment, where real snakes were both revered and feared. This ambivalence toward snakes is a recurring theme in global mythologies, such as in Chinese mythology, where serpents like the Dragon King embody both natural forces and divine intervention.
Loki’s Role in Serpent Mythology
Loki, the trickster god in Norse mythology, has a strong connection to snakes, and this reflects his unpredictable and chaotic nature. One of the most famous snakes in Norse mythology, Jörmungandr, is actually Loki’s child. Loki’s role as the father of the World Serpent ties him closely to the themes of danger, destruction, and the uncontrollable forces of nature.
Loki’s link to snakes is further explored in the story of his punishment for causing the death of Balder, the god of light and joy. After Loki tricks another god into killing Balder, the other gods capture Loki and bind him as punishment. They position a venomous snake above him, so its poison drips onto his face. The venom causes Loki terrible pain, and when he writhes in agony, his movements are said to shake the earth, creating earthquakes. This story shows how snakes in Norse mythology were seen as not just creatures of the natural world, but as powerful symbols tied to punishment, suffering, and cosmic events.
The image of a snake as a punisher or a force of justice isn’t unique to Norse mythology. In Hindu mythology, for example, there are naga—serpentine beings that can be both protectors and destroyers. Nagas are respected and feared because of their dual nature, much like how snakes in Norse myths represent both chaos and balance.
By including snakes in Loki’s stories, Norse mythology reflects a common theme found in many cultures: snakes symbolize the complex and powerful forces that shape the world, for better or worse.
Snakes in Norse Mythology vs. Other Cultures
While snakes in Norse mythology often represent destruction and chaos, they also embody protection and continuity. This mirrors broader themes in mythology, where snakes symbolize transformation, fertility, and cycles of life. For instance:
- In Egyptian mythology, the serpent Apep is a force of chaos, yet the ouroboros, a snake eating its own tail, represents eternity and renewal.
- In Greek mythology, serpents like Python and the Hydra signify both danger and resilience.
- In Japanese mythology, serpents like Yamata no Orochi are destructive forces but also symbolize transformation and renewal.
By comparing these cultural narratives, we can see how universal themes emerge, with snakes embodying the dualities of life and death, creation and destruction.
Snakes and Viking Beliefs
For the Norse people, snakes likely had two important meanings. On one hand, they were real animals that existed in the Vikings’ environment—sometimes feared, sometimes respected. On the other hand, snakes became symbols that held deeper meanings in their stories and art. Their long, coiled bodies and striking movements made snakes easy to turn into powerful images that could represent big ideas like cycles, protection, and danger.
The Vikings often included snake designs in their art, such as carvings on rune stones, jewelry, and even shields. These designs weren’t just decoration—they likely carried symbolic meaning. A coiled snake might have been seen as a symbol of eternity or the never-ending cycles of nature, like seasons or life and death. By using snake imagery, the Vikings may have felt a connection to the divine or a sense of protection from the unpredictable forces of their world.
The Norse view of snakes reflected the kind of world they lived in. Nature in the Viking Age was harsh and unpredictable, but it was also beautiful and full of life. Snakes fit this balance perfectly. In their myths, snakes like Jörmungandr and Nidhogg weren’t just animals—they became symbols of cosmic forces, representing things like fate, destruction, and renewal.
Snakes in Norse mythology are more than just creatures of legend—they’re symbols of power, transformation, and the delicate balance between life and destruction. From Jörmungandr, the World Serpent, to Nidhogg gnawing at Yggdrasil’s roots, these serpents remind us of nature’s dual forces. Whether as bringers of chaos or protectors of order, snakes hold a prominent and multifaceted role in Norse lore.