Learn all about Aesir and how it is reflected in the rich Norse mythology. Discover its origins, history and most popular legends that still survive.
Aesir
Aesir is part of one of the two Norse god clans, the other being the Vanir. The Aesir and Vanir were in conflict for quite some time, which led to the Aesir-Vanir war. Later, however, they seemed to get along very well and the Vanir were eventually considered a sub-group of the Aesir. Therefore, depending on the time in which a specific myth is set, the word Aesir may refer to all Norse gods or only to those who began as Aesir.
In Norse mythology, there are nine worlds in which various beings may live. These worlds are held in the branches of the World Tree, also known as Yggdrasil. Humans live in Midgard, while the Aesir live in Asgard. The Vanir have their own world: Vanaheim.
Another World
Although they lived in a different world from humans, they actively ruled the lives of men. The Norse people turned to the various gods who represented specific aspects of life when they needed help or blessing. There are many stories surrounding the Aesir, such as Odin the Godfather coming to Midgard. They taught people lessons or otherwise influenced what happened in Midgard.
The Aesir also acted on other worlds in Yggdrasil, such as Jotunheim, where the Frost Giants live. One of their most important tasks is to keep the frost giants at bay, protecting the worlds from them.
Balder: Norse God of All Good, Friendly and Kind SpiritsOrigins of Aesir
Interestingly, although the Aesir are the main gods of Norse mythology, they are not the creators of the cosmos. However, they are the creators of humanity and of the worlds within the cosmos. In the beginning, there were two worlds: Muspelheim and Niflheim. Muspelheim was the realm of fire, while Niflheim was the realm of ice. Between them lay a void known as the Ginnungagap. Fire and ice met and filled the gap, and from this event, the first giant, Ymir, was formed. Ymir’s sweat produced more giants, who were the first beings in the cosmos.
Audhumbla
As the frost melted, the cow Audhumbla emerged to feed Ymir. The cow lived on sausages in the ice. Her licking revealed Buri, the first Aesir, who had apparently been trapped in the ice. Buri married a giant, Bestla, so his sons Odin (who is the most famous), Vili and Ve were all half-giants. These three brothers decided to put an end to Ymir’s life and, in a rather creepy development, used the various parts of his body to make the world. For example, his blood became the oceans, and the dome of his skull became the sky.
These gods created us, the humans of Midgard. The first humans were a male and female pair by the names of Ask and Embla. When they finished making the leap to humanity, the gods decided to give humans their own world, an enclosed region they called Midgard. But why did they feel the need to kill Ymir? The most likely reason is that Ymir was a being of chaos, and the purpose of the Aesir is to bring order to the cosmos. That is also the root of their main fight against the Frost Giants, who want to destroy the world during Ragnarok, restoring the primordial chaos of the Ginnungagap.
History of Aesir
There are several historical texts detailing the history of the Aesir and the rest of Norse mythology. The best known are Snorri Sturluson‘s Prose Eddas, Poetic Eddas and Codex Regius. Snorri’s text is probably the best known and dates from the 13th century. These books are available today both in their original language and in English translations. Anyone can read the extensive stories about Odin, Thor and all the other colorful characters of Norse mythology.
Modern Influence
It is difficult to overstate how influential the Aesir and Norse mythology as a whole have been in the modern world. Certainly, the stories of Odin and Thor are widely known throughout the Western world and many forms of media often incorporate elements involving the Aesir. The stories of the Aesir in the Eddas have also had a profound influence on modern literature, especially when it comes to fantasy literature. JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings books simply would not exist as we know them if it were not for the Eddas and the stories of the Aesir.
Ideas of dwarves, elves and other fantastic creatures are usually traced back to the Aesir and their stories. Even the days of our weeks are named after the Aesir. Wednesday is Woden’s Day, Woden being another name for Odin. Thursday belongs to Thor, and Friday gets its name from the goddess Freya. Modern comics, such as those in the Marvel franchises, abundantly include elements of Norse mythology, and Thor himself exists as a current, modern superhero.
Vanir: The Adversaries Of The Norse Gods AesirVersion of Thor
This version of Thor is the star of many multi-million dollar blockbuster movies. Although they were not actively worshipped for many centuries, today we see the rebirth of believers in the Aesir. In some parts of the world, this new religion is officially recognized, and is known by various names such as Wotanism or Odinism. The Norse gods are deeply rooted in European folklore, and especially in Scandinavian and Germanic folklore.
They are such an important part of the culture and the stories told to children that it is almost impossible not to encounter them, no matter where they are in the world. It also helps that the stories themselves are colorful, interesting and powerfully and poetically written. While they may be myths of antiquity, it seems that these gods are here to stay.
