Who was Odin?
In short: Odin is the chief god of Norse mythology — the All-Father and ruler of Asgard, god of wisdom, poetry and war. For knowledge he sacrificed an eye and hung nine days on the world tree.
Profile
- Role: All-Father, ruler of the Æsir
- Domain: Wisdom, poetry, war, magic and death
- Symbols: The spear Gungnir, the ravens Huginn and Muninn, the eight-legged horse Sleipnir
- Parents: Borr and the giantess Bestla
- Brothers: Vili and Vé
- Notable children: Thor, Baldr, Höðr, Váli, Víðarr
5 facts about Odin
- Odin sacrificed an eye at Mímir's well to drink from the source of wisdom.
- His two ravens Huginn ("thought") and Muninn ("memory") fly over the world each day and report everything back to him.
- Together with his brothers he created the world from the body of the primordial giant Ymir.
- In Valhalla, Odin gathers fallen warriors who will one day fight at his side against the forces of Ragnarök.
- At Ragnarök, the end of the world, Odin is devoured by the giant wolf Fenrir.
Origins and role
Odin descends from the first gods: his father Borr was a son of the primordial god Búri, his mother Bestla a giantess. With his brothers Vili and Vé, Odin shaped sky, earth and sea from the slain giant Ymir and gave the first humans life and spirit.
As god of wisdom, Odin was forever seeking knowledge — often travelling in disguise, always ready to pay a steep price for insight.
Frequently asked questions
Who were the parents of Odin?
Odin was the son of Borr and the giantess Bestla, and thus a grandson of the primordial god Búri.
Who was the wife of Odin?
His chief consort was Frigg, goddess of marriage. With her and other partners Odin had several sons, among them Baldr and Thor.
Why did Odin have only one eye?
Odin gave one of his eyes at Mímir's well as the price for a drink from the source of wisdom.
More from Norse mythology
Odin stands at the top of the Æsir family tree. Open the example tree to explore his parents, brothers and children generation by generation.