1. Odin
Odin is the main divinity in the Norse pantheon of gods. He is known as Alfadir (Allfather), the father of the gods. He is the father of Baldr, Hod, Herod, Thor, and the giantess Grid. Odin concerns himself with war and death, and he is also the god of poetry and wisdom. His relationship with death allows him to speak to the dead and question the wisest amongst them. His position on his throne allows him to observe everything that happens in the nine worlds.
Odin’s possessions include a spear, called Gungnir, which never misses its target, the ring Draupnir, and his eight-footed horse Sleipnir. The wolves Freki and Geri accompany Odin on his travels. The wolves feed off the food Odin drops for them, while Odin consumes nothing but wine.
Odin’s physical appearance is interesting. He has only one eye, but that one eye blazes like the sun. The story behind the loss of his other eye explains how Odin became so knowledgeable. The eye was traded for wisdom at the Well of Wisdom, where, true to form, Odin consumed more drink. This story reinforces the idea that Norse gods were susceptible to pain.
Odin gave the gift of writing to his children and had a true life-long love of learning. On his shoulders rested two ravens, Huginn (“Thought”) and Muninn (“Memory”). The birds would circle the Earth each day, collecting information and then reporting back to Odin. Odin loved both birds but had a soft spot for Muninn, which shows the importance he placed on keeping written records.
Sources For Further Reading:
The Guardian – From Thor to Odin: a guide to the Norse gods
Grunge – The Mythology Of Thor Explained
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