Norse Mythologies On Stamps

Norse mythology is the rich collection of myths, legends and beliefs of the ancient peoples of Scandinavia, especially the Vikings. It tells of a complex world inhabited by gods, giants, dwarfs, elves and other supernatural beings, and includes stories of creation, heroic deeds, conflicts between divine powers and the eventual destruction and renewal of the world at Ragnarök. Among its best-known figures are Odin, the wise and powerful ruler of the gods; Thor, the mighty god of thunder; Loki, the clever and unpredictable trickster; and Freyja, the goddess associated with love, fertility and magic. These myths, preserved mainly in the medieval Icelandic Eddas and sagas, have had a lasting influence on European literature, art and modern popular culture.

Please share here your Norse mythology stamps and items.

Odin is the chief god in Norse mythology, associated with wisdom, knowledge, poetry, magic, war and the dead, and he is said to have sacrificed one of his eyes in exchange for a drink from the well of wisdom. He rules from Asgard and is accompanied by the ravens Huginn and Muninn, who fly across the world and bring him information, while fallen warriors chosen for Valhalla are gathered under his protection.

Odin riding on Sleipnir, the eight legged horse, issued by Iceland on March 26, 2004.

Njord and Balder

Njord is one of the Vanir gods and lives at Noatun by the sea. He is the god of the sea, winds, seafaring and fishing, and is also associated with wealth and prosperity. People travelling by sea or going fishing pray to him for favourable winds and a safe journey.

Balder, the son of Odin and Frigg, is the fairest and most beloved of the gods. The malicious Loki discovers that mistletoe is the only thing that can harm Balder. He gives a mistletoe dart to Hod, Balder's blind brother, and guides him in throwing it at Balder, killing him.

Njord and Balder, issued by Norway on March 26, 2004.

A booklet from Sweden depicting gods and goddesses. Their names are on the stamps, but for those who don't read runes they are (top to bottom): Freia, Heimdal, Thor, Frei, and Odin.

Many thanks, pjr!!

Ymir the Giant

Ymir is the primordial giant and the first living being in the Norse creation myth. He came into existence when the heat of Muspelheim, the realm of fire, met the ice of Niflheim in the great void of Ginnungagap. Ymir was nourished by the primordial cow Auohumla, while other giants arose from his body. Auohumla herself fed by licking the salty ice, gradually revealing Buri, ancestor of the gods. Buri's son Borr married Bestla, a descendant of Ymir, and their sons were Odin, Vili and Ve. The three brothers eventually killed Ymir and created the world from his body.

Ymir Suckled by the Cow Auohumla, painting by Nicolai Abildgaard's (1743-1809), National Gallery of Denmark, Copenhagen, issued by Denmark on November 22, 1984.

The moon man and the Northern lights
The Man in the Moon, dressed in polar-bear skin, was believed to influence the fertility of animals and humans, natural phenomena, and the hunting fortunes of sealers, while the Northern Lights were said to flash across the sky because the spirits of the dead were playing ball with a walrus head.

The moon man and the Northern lights, issued for use in Greenland on March 26, 2004.

Why the sea is salty?

King Frodi bought two strong female slaves named Fenja and Menja. In Denmark, he possessed a magical mill called Grotti, which could grind out whatever its owner wished for, and he forced the two women to produce gold, peace, and prosperity for him. Later, the sea-king Mysing attacked Frodi, took Fenja and Menja aboard his ship, and ordered them to grind salt. They produced so much salt that the ship sank, but the mill continued grinding at the bottom of the sea - this is why the sea is salty.

"Fenja and Menja", issued by Aland on March 26, 2004.

Legends about light and darkness, designed by Anker Eli Petersen and issued by the Faroe Islands on April 1, 2001. The legend names are written on the stamps in silver color but, unfortunately, my scanner turned the color to dark.

The Death of Hogni – In the Faroese Hogni's Ballad, Hogni is fatally poisoned when the warrior Thidrek transforms into a dragon and breathes venom upon him.

The Tree of the Year – This Faroese riddle represents the year as a tree whose branches, nests, and birds symbolize the months, weeks, and days.

The Ballad of the Harp – A murdered young woman's body is made into a magical harp whose strings reveal that her jealous elder sister was responsible for her death.

Gram and Grani – The legend tells of Sigurd the Dragonslayer's famous companions, Gram, his mighty sword, and Grani, the exceptional horse he chooses from among a herd.

The Ballad of Nornagest – The aged Nornagest recounts the heroic deeds of Sigurd the Dragonslayer and tells how he himself became one of Sigurd's followers.

Guorun's Evil Deeds – Guorun uses evil magic to raise violent storms, sea-horses, and storm-eagles against her brothers as they sail toward their fatal meeting with her.

This set of stamps was issued in a very large SS shows many others myths and legends.