Nidhogg (Níðhöggr in Norse) is a fierce dragon that gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, the tree that supports the nine worlds of Norse mythology. This power-hungry monster is sometimes called “the Malice Beater,” an appropriate name given that he rules over dark criminals and is bent on destroying peace and virtue.
Physical Description
Nidhogg is a tremendous dragon. His body is covered in shiny scales, and horns protrude from his head. A pair of front legs, complete with enormous claws, help him tear at the roots of Yggdrasil, but he has no hind legs, only a serpent’s tail. Beneath his bat-like wings, he carries the corpses of criminals.
His gigantic body can be found twisting through the roots of Yggdrasil, especially around Niflheimr, the cold world from which all the rivers of Midgard originate. Occasionally, he may glide down to Hel to visit the dark goddess whom some people consider his master.
Representation
Balance is extremely important in Norse mythology, and although Nidhogg represents a terrifying force, he is still important in supporting the balance of Yggdrasil. A large eagle, representing wisdom and virtue, perches on the highest branches of the tree, while Nidhogg, representing chaos and evil, hides in its roots. The constant tension between the eagle and the dragon is fueled by Ratatoskr, a squirrel that runs up and down the tree carrying insults between the two enemies.
This tension may seem undesirable, but it actually promotes a cycle of growth in the tree of life. After the eagle and the dragon spend the day destroying Yggdrasil in their frenzy to attack each other, the tree is bathed in water from Urd’s wells, which promotes healing and new growth.
In addition to balancing Yggdrasil, the monster also figures in the punishment of criminals. He rules over the dark shores of Nadastrond, to which the corpses of murderers, adulterers, and oath-breakers are banished. A terrifying hall, with walls woven from snakes and a ceiling dripping with poison, awaits these criminals, and inside the hall, the dragon chews on their bodies.
Finally, the dreaded dragon has a role to play in Ragnarok, the day when the giants will attack the gods and destroy most of their world. Ragnarok will begin when the dragon finally manages to chew through the roots of Yggdrasil, causing the tree to turn yellow and the worlds it supports to be plunged into a three-year winter.
At the end of this frigid and chaotic period, he will fly from the underworld, carrying dead criminals and leading the giants in an attack against the gods. Ultimately, he will survive this battle and become the force of evil that balances good in the post-Ragnarok world.
Cultural Representation
Nidhogg appears in the first two authoritative texts on Norse mythology: the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda from the 13th century. The poem Grímnismál in the Poetic Edda introduces Nidhogg by saying, “Ratatosks is the squirrel that will run there / In the ash tree Yggdrasil; / From above the words of the eagle he carries, / And he tells them to Nithhogg below.”
Although Nidhogg appears in the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, which are pillars of our modern knowledge of Norse mythology, he is not mentioned in any other ancient texts.
Visual Arts
Like many of the other fantastic characters in Norse mythology, Nidhogg has earned a special place in the hearts of gamers. He appears in both video games and role-playing games, including World of Warcraft and an indie game called Nidhogg.
