User:Ada jamanova/Germanic mythology

(Bolded words are my contribution)

(Underlined words will be what was placed in article, before announcement of keeping additions in sandbox)

Germanic Mythology
Germanic mythology consists of the body of myths native to the Germanic peoples. The category includes Norse mythology, Anglo-Saxon mythology, and Continental Germanic mythology. It was a key element of Germanic paganism. ''' These stories establish the creation and creature myths that permeated Northern European cultures. They are concerned with the deities, mythical creatures, places and customs that shaped the early and proceeding Germanic peoples. '''

'''Germanic mythology was initially preserved through oral storytelling. This fact combined with the proceeding Christianization of the area leaves modern scholars with a limited range of the early myths propagating through the area. In fact, most of the knowledge of early Germanic peoples comes from the writings of Ancient Roman scholars, and Christianized Scandinavians in Iceland. Therefore, when historians examine Norse themes from written text the influence of the surrounding Christian ideology should be accounted for.'''

Origins
As the Germanic languages developed from Proto-Indo-European language, Germanic mythology is ultimately a development of Proto-Indo-European religion. Archaeological remains, such as petroglyphs in Scandinavia, suggest continuity in Germanic mythology since at least the Nordic Bronze Age.

Norse Mythology
'''Norse mythology refers to the myths created by the North Germanic peoples. This ideological framework was integral to the Viking age from the 8th to 11th century. First incarnated during the pre-Norse pagane era, the myths continued to be upheld in a post Christianized Scandinavia up until the modern era. Most of the information known about Norse mythology comes from 13th century Icelandic writings, archeological records, regional tradition, and geological clues. The ancient Norse had a sobering take on myths and ideology. Their gods vengeful and jealous, creatures terrifying and ruthless, and heroes flawed and defeated. '''

Cosmology
The beginning and end of the world is told in Völuspá, the first and best known poem in the Poetic Edda. As told by the seeress in Völuspá, the world began with a great magical nothingness called Ginnungagap. From the sea Odin and his two brothers emerged, and came across Ask and Embla, whom they created into the first human couple.

The accounts of Völuspá are contrasted with those in Vafþrúðnismál and Grímnismál. These say that Odin created the world from the body of the giant Ymir. Odin and his brothers were in turn descended from Búri, who had been created by the primeval cow Auðumbla. Parallels to Auðumbla are found in Indo-Iranian religion, testifying to the ancient Indo-European origins of Germanic mythology.

A central point in the Germanic cosmos is the tree Yggdrasil.[3] Germanic mythology prophesizes the end of the world in a coming Ragnarök.

Deities
A number of Germanic gods are mentioned in Old Norse literature. These are divided into the Æsir and the Vanir. The Æsir are primarily gods of war and dominate the latter, who are gods of fertility and wealth.

The chief god of the Æsir was Odin, who is the god of war and wisdom. Odin’s name is derived from the early Germanic word “wodu” which meant the leader of the wild hunt or the demon who chased it. He was probably worshiped primarily by kings and noblemen rather than the common people. Odin was the lord of Asgard, the abode of the gods. Asgard included the majestic hall Valhalla, where warriors who had died a heroic death in battle (Einherjar) were admitted in order to prepare them to help Odin in the coming Ragnarök.

Odin's son Thor by his wife Frigg, was the god of thunder. Wielding his hammer Mjölnir, Thor was engaged in conflict with the jötnar (giants) and the serpent Jörmungandr. Thor has many parallels in Indo-European mythology. He appears to have been worshiped extensively by the Germanic peoples, particularly warriors and the common people. A notable brother of Thor is Baldr. Other significant Æsir include the trickster god Loki; Heimdallr, who is reported in Rígsþula to have fathered the three classes of men; and the god of war Týr, who appears to have preceded Odin as the chief deity in the Germanic pantheon.

In Old Norse literature the Æsir and Vanir are described as being in conflict. Through this conflict, certain Vanir gods, such as Njörðr, Freyja, Freyr, are recorded as having joined the Æsir. Similarities have been pointed out between Njörðr and Nerthus, a Germanic fertility god mentioned by Tacitus in Germania in the 1st-century AD. Sources also mention numerous other entities, such as Hel, who oversees an underworld location of the same name.

Giants
'''Giants, also known as frost giants or hrtmpursar, are important ideological and narrative creatures in Norse mythology. These far north creatures were formed from ice and believed to be a representation of the winter months. They stood in direct contrast with the gods as figures of religion for the northern Germanic people.'''

'''The mythological poems of the Edda present scholars the most reliable information on these mythological creatures. The poems are believed to be pre-Christian, therefore providing a primary source of the original stories from the pagan era. These poems reference the familial relationship between the gods and giants. Odin’s mother, Bestla is though to be the daughter of a giant named Bölborn. Tÿr and Loki are two other gods mentioned, both thought to be the sons of giants.'''

'''The giants live in Jötunheimr, said to be located Northeast of Asgardr. Separated from Miðgarðr by a series of rivers, this area was said to be the place where giants plot against humanity. Scholars believe the giants and their homeland represent the local people’s perspective of the winter season. The threating temperature was symbolized by the harsh nature of these creatures while their relationship with the gods showed a symbiotic relationship with the hunting season.'''

Objects
'''Scandinavian mythology has many symbolic objects that help establish the belief systems and living experience of ancient Germanic peoples. Scholars have recently began studying such items to better grasp ancient Germanic culture.'''

'''Items like Thor’s hammer, Mjölnir, and Frey’s ship, Skidbladnir, have obvious physical limitations. Frey’s ship is said to be the best around yet not large enough. Thor’s hammer is known as the best creation by the sons of Ivaldi. However, the handle was too short to be wielded by two hands. These symbolize a message present within ancient Germanic culture, that even the most powerful have their limitations. Additionally, it adds to the complex nature of Germanic mythos, where gods and humans are always presented as flawed beings.'''