2/20/2013

Óðinn

Odin (pron.: /ˈdɨn/; from Old Norse Óðinn) is the major god and the ruler of Asgard. Odin is a son of Bor and Bestla. He is called Alfadir, Allfather, for he is indeed father of the gods. With Frigg he is the father of Balder, Hod, and Hermod. He fathered Thor on the goddess Jord; and the giantess Grid became the mother of Vidar. He is Homologous with the Old English "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wôdan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz". "Odin" is generally accepted as the modern English form of the name, although, in some cases, older forms may be used or preferred. His name is related to ōðr, meaning "fury, excitation," besides "mind," or "poetry." His role, like that of many of the Norse gods, is complex. Odin is a principal member of the Æsir (the major group of the Norse pantheon) and is associated with war, battle, victory and death, but also wisdom, Shamanism, magic, poetry, prophecy, and the hunt. Odin has many sons, the most famous of whom is Thor.

As Odin is closely connected with a horse called Sleipnir, a spear called Gungnir, the ring Draupnir, from which every ninth night eight new rings appear, and transformation/shape shifting into animal shapes. He is accompanied by the wolves Freki and Geri, to whom he gives his food for he himself consumes nothing but wine. Odin has only one eye, which blazes like the sun. His other eye he traded for a drink from the Well of Wisdom, and gained immense knowledge. On the day of the final battle, Odin will be killed by the wolf Fenrir.

Poetic Edda

Völuspá

In the poem Völuspá, a völva tells Odin of numerous events reaching far into the past and future, including his own doom. The Völva describes creation, recounts the birth of Odin by his father Borr and his mother Bestla and how Odin and his brothers formed Midgard from the sea. She further describes the creation of the first human beings - Ask and Embla - by Hœnir, Lóðurr and Odin.
Amongst various other events, the Völva mentions Odin's involvement in the Æsir-Vanir War, the oedipism of Odin's eye at Mímir's Well, the death of his son Baldr. She describes how Odin is slain by the wolf Fenrir at Ragnarök, the subsequent avenging of Odin and death of Fenrir by his son Víðarr, how the world disappears into flames and, yet, how the earth again rises from the sea. She then relates how the surviving Æsir remember the deeds of Odin.

Lokasenna


In the poem Lokasenna, the conversation of Odin and Loki started with Odin trying to defend Gefjun and ended with his wife, Frigg, defending him. In Lokasenna, Loki derides Odin for practicing seid (witchcraft), implying it was women's work. Another example of this may be found in the Ynglinga saga where Snorri opines that men who used seid were ergi or unmanly.

Hávamál

In Rúnatal, a section of the Hávamál, Odin is attributed with discovering the runes. In a sacrifice to himself, the highest of the gods, he was hanged from the world tree Yggdrasil for nine days and nights, pierced by his own spear, in order to learn the wisdom that would give him power in the nine worlds. Nine is a significant number in Norse magical practice (there were, for example, nine realms of existence), thereby learning nine (later eighteen) magical songs and eighteen magical runes.
One of Odin's names is Ygg, and the Norse name for the World Ash —Yggdrasil—therefore could mean "Ygg's (Odin's) horse." Another of Odin's names is Hangatýr, the god of the hanged.

Hárbarðsljóð

In Hárbarðsljóð, Odin, disguised as the ferryman Hárbarðr, engages his son Thor, unaware of the disguise, in a long argument. Thor is attempting to get around a large lake and Hárbarðr refuses to ferry him.

Prose Edda

Odin had three residences in Asgard. First was Gladsheim, a vast hall where he presided over the twelve Diar or Judges, whom he had appointed to regulate the affairs of Asgard. Second, Valaskjálf, built of solid silver, in which there was an elevated place, Hlidskjalf, from his throne on which he could perceive all that passed throughout the whole earth. Third was Valhalla (the hall of the fallen), where Odin received the souls of the warriors killed in battle, called the Einherjar. The souls of women warriors, and those strong and beautiful women whom Odin favored, became Valkyries, who gather the souls of warriors fallen in battle (the Einherjar), as these would be needed to fight for him in the battle of Ragnarök. They took the souls of the warriors to Valhalla. Valhalla has five hundred and forty gates, and a vast hall of gold, hung around with golden shields, and spears and coats of mail.
Odin has a number of magical artifacts associated with him: the spear Gungnir, which never misses its target; a magical gold ring (Draupnir), from which every ninth night eight new rings appear; and two ravens Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory), who fly around Earth daily and report the happenings of the world to Odin in Valhalla at night. He also owned Sleipnir, an octopedal horse, who was given to Odin by Loki, and the severed head of Mímir, which foretold the future. He also commands a pair of wolves named Geri and Freki, to whom he gives his food in Valhalla since he consumes nothing but mead or wine. From his throne, Hlidskjalf (located in Valaskjalf), Odin could see everything that occurred in the universe. The Valknut (slain warrior's knot) is a symbol associated with Odin. It consists of three interlaced triangles.
Odin is an ambivalent deity. Old Norse (Viking Age) connotations of Odin lie with "poetry, inspiration" as well as with "fury, madness and the wanderer." Odin sacrificed his eye (which eye he sacrificed is unclear) at Mímir's spring in order to gain the Wisdom of Ages. Odin gives to worthy poets the mead of inspiration, made by the dwarfs, from the vessel Óð-rœrir.
Odin is associated with the concept of the Wild Hunt, a noisy, bellowing movement across the sky, leading a host of slain warriors.
Consistent with this, Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda depicts Odin as welcoming the great, dead warriors who have died in battle into his hall, Valhalla, which, when literally interpreted, signifies the hall of the slain. The fallen, the einherjar, are assembled and entertained by Odin in order that they in return might fight for, and support, the gods in the final battle of the end of Earth, Ragnarök. Snorri also wrote that Freyja receives half of the fallen in her hall Folkvang.
He is also a god of war, appearing throughout Norse myth as the bringer of victory. In the Norse sagas, Odin sometimes acts as the instigator of wars, and is said to have been able to start wars by simply throwing down his spear Gungnir, and/or sending his valkyries, to influence the battle toward the end that he desires. The Valkyries are Odin's beautiful battle maidens that went out to the fields of war to select and collect the worthy men who died in battle to come and sit at Odin's table in Valhalla, feasting and battling until they had to fight in the final battle, Ragnarök. Odin would also appear on the battle-field, sitting upon his eight-legged horse Sleipnir, with his two ravens, one on each shoulder, Hugin (Thought) and Munin (Memory), and two wolves (Geri and Freki) on each side of him.
Odin is also associated with trickery, cunning, and deception. Most sagas have tales of Odin using his cunning to overcome adversaries and achieve his goals, such as swindling the blood of Kvasir from the dwarves.

Gylfaginning


According to the Prose Edda, Odin, the first and most powerful of the Æsir, was a son of Bestla and Borr and brother of Vili and Vé. With these brothers, he cast down the frost giant Ymir and made Earth from Ymir's body. The three brothers are often mentioned together. "Vili" is the German word for "will" (English), "Vé" is the German word (Gothic wai) for woe but is more likely related to the archaic German "Wei" meaning 'sacred.'
Odin has fathered numerous children. With his wife, Frigg, he fathered his doomed son Baldr and the blind god Höðr. By the personification of earth, Fjörgyn or Jörð, Odin was the father of his most famous son, Thor. By the giantess Gríðr, Odin was the father of Vídar, and by Rinda he was father of Váli. Also, many royal families claimed descent from Odin through other sons. For traditions about Odin's offspring, see Sons of Odin.
Odin and his brothers, Vili and Ve, are attributed with slaying Ymir, the Ancient Giant, to form Midgard. From Ymir's flesh, the brothers made the earth, and from his shattered bones and teeth they made the rocks and stones. From Ymir's blood, they made the rivers and lakes. Ymir's skull was made into the sky, secured at four points by four dwarfs named East, West, North, and South. From Ymir's brains, the three Gods shaped the clouds, whereas Ymir's eyebrows became a barrier between Jotunheim (giant's home) and Midgard, the place where men now dwell. Odin and his brothers are also attributed with making humans.
After having made earth from Ymir's flesh, the three brothers came across two logs (or an ash and an elm tree). Odin gave them breath and life; Vili gave them brains and feelings; and Ve gave them hearing and sight. The first man was Ask and the first woman was Embla.
Odin was said to have learned the mysteries of seid from the Vanic goddess and völva Freyja, despite the unwarriorly connotations of using magic.

Skáldskaparmál


In section 2 of Skáldskaparmál, Odin's quest for wisdom can also be seen in his work as a farmhand for a summer, for Baugi, and his seduction of Gunnlod in order to obtain the Mead of Poetry.
In section 5 of Skáldskaparmál, the origins of some of Odin's possessions are described.

Sagas of Icelanders

Ynglinga saga

According to the Ynglinga saga:
Odin had two brothers, the one called Ve, the other Vili, and they governed the kingdom when he was absent. It happened once when Odin had gone to a great distance, and had been so long away that the people of Asa doubted if he would ever return home, that his two brothers took it upon themselves to divide his estate; but both of them took his wife Frigg to themselves. Odin soon after returned home, and took his wife back.
Further, in Ynglinga saga, Odin is described as venturing to Mímir's Well, near Jötunheimr, the land of the giants; not as Odin, but as Vegtam the Wanderer, clothed in a dark blue cloak and carrying a traveler's staff. To drink from the Well of Wisdom, Odin had to sacrifice his eye (which eye he sacrificed is unclear), symbolizing his willingness to gain the knowledge of the past, present and future. As he drank, he saw all the sorrows and troubles that would fall upon men and the gods. He also saw why the sorrow and troubles had to come to men.
Mímir accepted Odin's eye and it sits today at the bottom of the Well of Wisdom as a sign that the father of the gods had paid the price for wisdom.

Blót

It is attested in primary sources that sacrifices were made to Odin during blóts. Adam of Bremen relates that every ninth year, people assembled from all over Sweden to sacrifice at the Temple at Uppsala. Male slaves and males of each species were sacrificed and hung from the branches of the trees.
As the Swedes had the right not only to elect their king but also to depose him, the sagas relate that both King Domalde and King Olof Trätälja were sacrificed to Odin after years of famine. It has been argued that the killing of a combatant in battle was to give a sacrificial offering to Odin. The fickleness of Odin in war was well documented; in Lokasenna, Loki taunts Odin for his inconsistency.
Sometimes sacrifices were made to Odin to bring about changes in circumstance. A notable example is the sacrifice of King Víkar that is detailed in Gautrek's Saga and in Saxo Grammaticus' account of the same event. Sailors in a fleet being blown off course drew lots to sacrifice to Odin that he might abate the winds. The king himself drew the lot and was hanged.
Sacrifices were probably also made to Odin at the beginning of summer (mid April, actually—summer being reckoned essentially the same as did the Celt, at Beltene, Calan Mai [Welsh], which is Mayday—hence as summer's "herald"), since Ynglinga saga states one of the great festivals of the calendar is at sumri, þat var sigrblót "in summer, for victory;" Odin is consistently referred to throughout the Norse mythos as the bringer of victory. The Ynglinga saga also details the sacrifices made by the Swedish king Aun, to whom it was revealed that he would lengthen his life by sacrificing one of his sons every ten years; nine of his ten sons died this way. When he was about to sacrifice his last son Egil, the Swedes stopped him.

Persisting beliefs and folklore


Odin continued to hunt in Swedish folklore.

The Christianization of Scandinavia was slow, and it worked its way downwards from the nobility. Among commoners, beliefs in Odin lingered and legends would be told until modern times.
The last battle where Scandinavians attributed a victory to Odin was the Battle of Lena in 1208. The former Swedish king Sverker had arrived with a large Danish army, and the Swedes led by their new king Eric were outnumbered. It is said that Odin then appeared riding on Sleipnir and he positioned himself in front of the Swedish battle formation. He led the Swedish charge and gave them victory.
The Bagler sagas, written in the 13th century concerning events in the first two decades of the 13th century, tells a story of a one-eyed rider with a broad-brimmed hat and a blue coat who asks a smith to shoe his horse. The suspicious smith asks where the stranger stayed during the previous night. The stranger mentions places so distant that the smith does not believe him. The stranger says that he has stayed for a long time in the north and taken part in many battles, but now he is going to Sweden. When the horse is shod, the rider mounts his horse and says "I am Odin" to the stunned smith, and rides away. The next day, the battle of Lena took place. The context of this tale in the saga is that a peace-treaty has been signed in Norway, and Odin, a god of war, no longer has a place there.
Scandinavian folklore also maintained a belief in Odin as the leader of the Wild Hunt. His main objective seems to have been to track down and kill a lady who could be the forest dweller huldran or skogsrået. In these accounts, Odin was typically a lone hunter, save for his two dogs.
In late 19th century Danish folklore, an account of Odin as having hid in a cliff of Møen (modern Møn, Denmark) where his residence there is "still pointed out." At this time, he was referred to as the "Jætte (giant) from Uppsala" but "is now called Jön Upsal" and from this latter name comes the expression "Men jötten dog!" as opposed to the expression "Men Jös dog!" ("By Jesus!"). Outside his doorway a green spot is described on the otherwise white cliff; this is where he "goes out on behalf of nature". A man who "now lives in Copenhagen" is described as having once sailed along the cliff, having seen Jön toss out his "dirt" - a big cloud of dust was to be seen outside of his door. Several "still living people" have lost their way in Klinteskoven ("The Cliff Forest") and ended up in Jön Upsal's garden, that is said to be so big and wonderful that it is beyond any description. The garden is also in full bloom in midwinter. If one sets out to find this garden, it is impossible to find.

Names


Odin was referred to by more than 200 names which hint at his various roles. Among others, he was known as Yggr (terror), Sigfodr (father of Victory) and Alfodr (All Father) in the skaldic and Eddic traditions of heiti and kennings, a poetic method of indirect reference, as in a riddle.
Some epithets establish Odin as a father god: Alföðr "all-father," "father of all;" Aldaföðr "father of men (or of the age);" Herjaföðr "father of hosts;" Sigföðr "father of victory;" Valföðr "father of the slain."

Name
(Old Norse)
Name
(anglicized)
Meaning Sources
Aldaföðr
father of men (or of the age/world) Óðins nöfn, Vafþrúðnismál
Aldagautr
Gautr of men (or of the age/world) Baldrs draumar
Alföðr Alfodr Allfather, Father of All Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (48), Óðins nöfn (2)
Algingautr
The aged Gautr The Icelandic rune poem (4)
Angan Friggjar
Delight of Frigg Völuspá (54)
Arnhöfði
Eagle Head Óðins nöfn (2)
Atriðr, Atriði
attacking rider, 'At-Rider' Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (48), Óðins nöfn (1)
Asagrim (< *Ásagrimmr)
Lord of the Aesir Stolt Herr Alf
Auðun
friend of wealth (Edwin, Audoin) Óðins nöfn (1)
Bági ulfs
Enemy of the Wolf Sonatorrek (23)
Baldrsfaðr
Balder's Father
Báleygr Baleyg Flaming Eye, Shifty Eyed Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (47), Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld's Hákonardrápa (6), Gísl Illugason's Erfikvæði um Magnús berfœtt (1), þulur, Óðins nöfn (6), Grettisrímur V (61)
Biflindi / Spear Shaker, Shield Shaker Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (6)
Bileygr Bileyg Flashing Eye or Wavering Eye Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), þulur, Óðins nöfn (5)
Blindi, Blindr / Blind Gylfaginning, Helgakviða Hundingsbana II (prose)
Brúni, Brúnn
Brown, Bear Óðins nöfn (6)
Böðgæðir
Battle Enhancer
Bölverkr
'Bale-Worker' or Evil Worker or Evil Deed Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Hávamál (109), Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (7)
Bragi
Chieftain
Bróðir Vilis, Bróðir Vilja
Vili's Brother
Burr Bors
Borr's Son
Byrlindi
Distorted version of Biflindi Sturlaugsrímur III (50)
Darraðr, Dorruðr
Spearman
Draugadróttinn
Lord of the undead Ynglinga saga
Dresvarpr

Óðins nöfn (2)
Ein sköpuðr galdra
Sole Creator of Magical Songs
Ennibrattr
High (lit., 'straight') forehead Óðins nöfn (6)
Eylúðr
The ever booming Óðins nöfn (6)
Faðmbyggvir Friggjar
Dweller in Frigg's Embrace
Faðr galdr
Father of Magical Songs
Farmagnuðr, Farmögnuðr
journey empowerer Háleygjatal (2), Skáldskaparmál
Farmaguð, Farmatýr Farmagud, Farmatyr God of Cargoes (or Burdens) Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (48), Óðins nöfn (2)
Farmr arma Gunnlaðar
Burden of Gunnlöð's Arms
Farmr galga
Gallows' Burden
Fengr
Fetcher or Catcher Óðins nöfn (2)
Fimbultýr Fimbultyr Mighty God Völuspá (60)
Fimbulþulr Fimbulthul Mighty Thuler Hávamál (80, 142)
Fjallgeiguðr
Shape god Óðins nöfn (2)
Fjölnir Fjolnir Wise One, concealer Grímnismál (47), Reginsmál (18), Gylfaginning (3, 20), many skaldic poems, þulur, Óðins nöfn (2), Skíðaríma (91, 174)
Fjölsviðr Fjolsvid, Fjolsvin Very Wise Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (2)
Fjörgynn Fjorgyn Masculine counterpart of feminine Fjörgyn meaning "land/earth" Lokasenna (26), Völuspá (56)
Foldardróttinn
Lord of the Earth
Forni
Ancient One
Fornölvir
Ancient Ölvir Óðins nöfn (2)
Fráríðr, Fráríði
The one who rides forth Óðins nöfn (2), Grettisrímur III (1), Sturlaugsrímur VI (47)
Frumverr Friggjar
First husband of Frigg
Fundinn
The Found Óláfsrímur Tryggvasonar A III (1)
Gagnráðr Gagnrad Advantage Counsel Vafþrúðnismál (8, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17)
Galdraföðr
Father of Magical Songs
Gangari, Ganglari, Gangleri / Wanderer or Wayweary Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (3)
Gangráðr
'Gain Rede,' Contrary advisor, Journey Advisor Óðins nöfn (3)
Gapþrosnir
The one in gaping frenzy Óðins nöfn (3)
Gautatýr Gautatyr God of the Geats Skáldskaparmál, Eyvindr skáldaspillir's Hákonarmál (1)
Gautr Gaut Gautr Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (54), Óðins nöfn (1), Friðþjófsrímur, Skíðaríma, Landrésrímur, Hjálmþérsrímur, Geiplur, Bjarkarímur, Griplur, Þrændlur, Skáldhelgarímur, Blávusrímur, Geirarðsrímur, Völsungsrímur
Geiguðr
Dangler Óðins nöfn (3)
Geirlöðnir
Spear inviter Óðins nöfn (3)
Geirölnir
Spear charger Óðins nöfn (5)
Geirtýr
Gore/Spear God
Geirvaldr
Gore/Spear Master
Geldnir


Ginnarr
Deceiver Óðins nöfn (1)
Gizurr
Riddler Óðins nöfn (1)
Gestumblindi / Blind Guest Hervarar saga (10), þulur, Óðins nöfn (7)
Glapsviðr Glapsvid, Glapsvin Swift in Deceit, Swift Tricker, Maddener, Wise in magical spells Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (3)
Goði hrafnblóts
Goði of the Raven-offering
Goðjaðarr
God Protector
Göllnir
Yeller Óðins nöfn (3)
Gollorr
Yeller Óðins nöfn (1)
Göllungr
Yeller Óðins nöfn (5)
Göndlir Gondlir Wand-Bearer, Wand-Wielder Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (3)
Gramr Hliðskjálfar
King of Hliðskjalf
Grímnir Grimnir Hooded, Masked One Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (introduction, 47, 49), Hallfreðr vandræðaskáld's lausavísur (9), Eilífr Goðrúnarson's Þórsdrápa (3), Húsdrápa (1), Rögnvaldr kali Kolsson's lausavísur (7), þulur, Óðins nöfn (1)
Grímr Grim Mask Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46, 47), þulur, Óðins nöfn (3, 7)
Gunnblindi
Battle blinder Óðins nöfn (8)
Hagvirkr
Skilful worker Óðins nöfn (4)
Hangadróttinn
Lord of the hanged Ynglinga saga
Hangaguð, Hangatýr Hangagud, Hangatyr God of the Hanged Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál
Hangi
Hanged One
Haptabeiðir
Commander of Leaders
Haptaguð Haptagud God of Prisoners Gylfaginning
Haptasnytrir
Teacher of gods
Haptsönir
Fetter Loosener
Hárbarðr Harbard Hoary Beard, Grey Beard Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Hárbardsljód, þulur, Óðins nöfn (3)
Hárr Har High Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (2)
Harri Hliðskjálfar
Lord of Hliðskjalf
Hávi Havi High One Hávamál (109, 111, 164), Óðins nöfn (4)
Heimþinguðr hanga
Visitor of the Hanged
Helblindi / Hel Blinder Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46)
Hengikeptr, Hengikjopt
Hang jaw Óðins nöfn (4)
Herblindi
Host blinder Óðins nöfn (5)
Herföðr, Herjaföðr Herfodr, Herjafodr Father of Hosts Gylfaginning, Völuspá (29, 43), Vafthrúdnismál (2), Grímnismál (19, 25, 26), Óðins nöfn (5)
Hergautr
Host Gautr
Herjan / Warrior, Harrier, Lord Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (2)
Herteitr Herteit War-merry Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (3)
Hertýr Hertyr Host-Tyr or God of Hosts Skáldskaparmál
Hildolfr
Battle Wolf
Hjaldrgegnir
Engager of Battle
Hjaldrgoð
God of battle
Hjálmberi Hjalmberi Helmet Bearer Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), þulur, Óðins nöfn (2)
Hjarrandi
Screamer Óðins nöfn (4)
Hléfreyr
Famous/barrow lord Óðins nöfn (5)
Hleifruðr

Óðins nöfn (4)
Hnikarr Hnikar Overthrower, Thruster Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Reginsmál (18, 19), Óðins nöfn (2)
Hnikuðr Hnikud Overthrower Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (48), Óðins nöfn (1)
Hoárr
One Eyed
Hötter
Hatter
Hovi
High One
Hrafnaguð, Hrafnáss Hrafnagud Raven God Gylfaginning
Hrafnfreistuðr
Raven tester
Hrami
Fetterer, Ripper Óðins nöfn (4)
Hrani
Blusterer
Hrjóðr
Roarer Óðins nöfn (4)
Hroptr, Hroptatýr Hropt, Hroptatyr Sage Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Hákonarmál (14), Úlfr Uggason's Húsdrápa (8), Hávamál (160), Grímnismál (54), Sigrdrífumál (13), Óðins nöfn (2, 3, 5)
Hrosshársgrani
Horse hair moustache Gautreks saga, Óðins nöfn (4)
Hvatmóðr
Courage of the whet-stone Óðins nöfn (5)
Hveðrungr
Roarer or Weather-maker Óðins nöfn (5)
Itreker
Splendid Ruler
Jafnhárr Jafnhar 'Evenhigh,' Just as High, Equally High Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (8)
Jalfaðr
Yellow-brown Back
Jálg, Jálkr Jalk Gelding or Gelder Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49, 54), Óðins nöfn (7)
Jarngrímr
Iron Mask
Jólnir, Jölnir
Yule figure Óðins nöfn (7)
Jolfr
Horse-wolf, bear
Jölfuðr, Jölföðr
Yule father Óðins nöfn (8)
Jörmunr
The mighty one, cosmic Óðins nöfn (8)
Kjalarr Kjalar Keel, Nourisher Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (1)
Langbarðr Langbard Long Beard þulur, Óðins nöfn (7)
Löndungr, Loðungr
Shaggy Cloak Wearer Óðins nöfn (7)
Niðr Bors
Borr's Kin
Njótr
User, enjoyer or needed one Óðins nöfn (6)
Ófnir
Inciter Óðins nöfn (7)
Olgr
Protector, Hawk Óðins nöfn (6)
Ómi Omi Resounding one Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (7)
Óski Oski God of Wishes, Wished For Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (8)
Rauðgrani
Red Mustache Bárðar saga Snæfellsáss 18, O˛rvar-Odds saga 19ff.
Reiðartýr
Wagon God or God of riders
Rögnir
Chief ('He that reigns') Óðins nöfn (5)
Rúnatýr
God of Runes
Runni vagna
Mover of Constellations
Saðr Sadr, Sann Truthful, Sooth Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (8)
Sanngetall / Finder of Truth/Sooth Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (7)
Síðgrani Sidgrani Long Beard Alvíssmál (6)
Síðhöttr Sidhott Broad Hat Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (48), þulur, Óðins nöfn (4)
Síðskeggr Sidskegg Long Beard Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (48), þulur, Óðins nöfn (6)
Sigðir
Victory giver Óðins nöfn (6)
Sigföðr Sigfodr Father of Victory, War Father Gylfaginning, Völuspá (54), Grímnismál (48), Óðins nöfn (4)
Siggautr
Victory Geat Óðins nöfn (6)
Sigrhofundr
Victory Author
Sigmundr
Victory protection Óðins nöfn (6)
Sigrúnnr
Victory Tree
Sigtryggr
Sure of victory (Victory-true) Óðins nöfn (8)
Sigtýr Sigtyr God of Victory, War God Skáldskaparmál, Atlakviða (30), Glúmr Geirason's Gráfeldardrápa (12)
Sigþrór
Successful in victory, Thriving in victory Óðins nöfn (8)
Skilfingr Skilfing Trembler or he of Hlidshilf Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (54), Óðins nöfn (8)
Skollvaldr
Ruler of treachery Óðins nöfn (6)
Sonr Bestlu
Son of Bestla
Spjalli Gauta
Friend of the Goths
Sváfnir Svafnir Sleep bringer, Closer Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (54), Óðins nöfn (4)
Sveigðir
Reed Bringer
Sviðarr Svidar
Gylfaginning
Sviðrir Svidrir Calmer Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (50), Óðins nöfn (6)
Sviðuðr

Óðins nöfn (4)
Sviðurr Svidur Wise One Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (50), Óðins nöfn (6)
Svipall / Changing, Fleeting (or shape-shifter) Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (47), Óðins nöfn (3)
Svölnir Svolnir Cooler Skáldskaparmál, Óðins nöfn (6)
Tveggi
Double Óðins nöfn (8)
Tvíblindi Tviblindi Twice Blind þulur, Óðins nöfn (4)
Þekkr Thekk Known, Welcome One Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (7)
Þrasarr
Quarreler Óðins nöfn (4)
Þriði Thridi Third Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (5)
Þriggi
Triple
Þrór Thror Burgeoning, Thriving Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (8)
Þróttr Thrott Strength Glymdrápa (2)
Þuðr Thud, Thunn Lean, Pale Gylfaginning, Óðins nöfn (7)
Þundr Thund Thunderer Gylfaginning, Hávamál (145), Grímnismál (46, 54), Óðins nöfn (7)
Uðr Ud, Unn Loved, Beloved, Striver Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (46), Óðins nöfn (7)
Váfuðr Vafud Wanderer Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Grímnismál (54)
Váfuðr Gungnis
Swinger of Gungnir
Váði vitnis
Foe of the Wolf
Vakr Vak Wakeful, Awakener Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (54), Óðins nöfn (7)
Valdr galga
Ruler of Gallows
Valdr vagnbrautar
Ruler of Heaven
Valföðr Valfodr Father of the Slain Gylfaginning, Völuspá (1, 27, 28), Grímnismál (48), þulur, Óðins nöfn (5)
Valgautr Valgaut Slaughter-Geat, Geat of the Slain Skáldskaparmál, Óðins nöfn (8)
Valkjosandi
Chooser of the Slain
Valtamr, Valtam
Slain Tame, The Warrior
Valtýr
Slain God
Valþognir
Slain Receiver
Vegtam / Wanderer or Way-tame Baldrs draumar (6, 13)
Veratýr Veratyr God of men, God of being Gylfaginning, Óðins nöfn (8)
Viðfräger
Wide Famed
Viðrir Vidrir Stormer Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Lokasenna (26)
Viðrímnir, Viðhrimnir
Contrary screamer or 'wide hoary-beard' Óðins nöfn (1)
Viðurr Vidur Killer Gylfaginning, Grímnismál (49), Óðins nöfn (6), Karlevi Runestone
Vingnir
Swinger Óðins nöfn (5)
Vinr Lopts
Friend of Loptr
Vinr Lóðurs
Friend of Lóðurr
Vinr Míms
Friend of Mímir
Vinr stalla
Friend of Altars
Vófuðr
Dangler Óðins nöfn (5)
Völundr rómu
Smith of Battle
Yggr Ygg Terrible One Gylfaginning, Skáldskaparmál, Völuspá (28), Grímnismál (53, 54), Óðins nöfn (8)
Ýjungr, Ýrungr
Stormy or of the primal streams Óðins nöfn (8)


Eponymy

Many toponyms in Northern Europe where Germanic Tribes existed contain the name of *Wodanaz (Norse Odin, West Germanic Woden).
Wednesday is named after Woden, the English form of Odin (Old English Wēdnes dæg, "Woden's day"). It is an early Germanic translation of the Latin dies Mercurii ("Mercury's day") based on the Roman practice of understanding foreign gods by comparing them to Roman deities.
 

Runes

I know that I hung on Yggdrasil
For nine nights long
Wounded by spear
Consecrated to Odin
Myself a sacrifice to myself
Upon that tree
The wisest know not the roots
of ancient time whence it sprang.

None brought me bread
None gave me mead
Down to the depths I searched
I took up the Runes
Raised them with song
And from that tree I fell.

Runes you shall know, and readable staves,
Very powerful staves, very great staves
Graven by the mighty one who speaks
Carved by the Highest host

Odin among the Aesir
Dvalin among the dwarfs,
Dain among the Alfs
Alvitter among the etins
I myself carved some for mankind.


ODIN put himself through some incredibly rigorous ordeals. The Well of Wisdom lies under the second root of YGGDRASIL, which allows the Dew of Knowledge to seep into it. So ODIN stabbed himself with his own spear and hung himself on the tree for nine days and nights. He was then allowed a peep, and saw magic runes appear on rocks beneath him.

With a superhuman effort he struggled to lift them, which must have been quite an acrobatic feat. Running his eye over the mystic symbols, he was instantly freed of all encumbrances; restored and rejuvenated with everlasting vigor enabling him to drop lightly to the ground.

His ordeal accomplished, ODIN was at last able to take a well-deserved swig from MIMIR's well, making him well-wise as well as wise. It was even tastier than his usual tipple Kvas, the Mead of Inspiration, a special brew made from the blood of KVASIR.