The Nine Realms

There are nine realms in Norse Mythology, they are called Niflheim, Muspelheim, Asgard, Midgard, Jotunheim, Vanaheim, Alfheim, Svartalfheim, Helheim. The nine worlds in Norse mythology are held in the branches and roots of the world tree Yggdrasil. These realms are the home of different kinds of beings, such as Asgard the home of the Gods and Goddesses, or Jotumheim the home of the giants.

The first two realms, Niflheim and Muspelheim were created out of Ginnungagap. The rest of the realms were created out of Ymir’s body by Odin and his two brothers during the creation of the world.

It is not a coincidence that there are nine realms, the number nine is an important number in Norse religion, and its significance can be found in other poems in the Edda’s by Snorri Sturluson. To mention a few, Odin hung on Yggdrasil for nine days and nights, Heimdall has nine daughters, Njord had to wait nine days for Skadi.