Norse Mythology Vocabulary

Vikings- Norse warriors, explorers, merchants and pirates that raided areas of Europe.

Ginnungagap- A vast void that existed prior to the creation of the universe.

Nifleheim- A land of ice, mist, fog, coldness, and darkness that is situated in the lowest level of the universe.

Muspellheim- A land of fire situated on the opposite side of Nifleheim.

Yggdrasil- A great ash tree known as the World Tree located in the center of the universe.

Asgard- The home of the gods.

Midgard- The land of all humans.

Hel- The home belonging to the dead.

Bifrost Bridge- The divine bridge which linked the human world to the land of the gods. Often depicted as a rainbow.

Ymir- He was the founder of all races of frost giants. He too was a giant aswell.

Odin- The main leader of the gods. Sacrificed much for the benefit of the humans and gods.

Frigg- Wife of Odin. She was the most powerful goddess. Domains were love, destiny, and marrige.

The Valkyries- Female dieties who determined which warriors would be sent to Valhalla.
The Norns- Three maidens in charge of the fate of the gods, humans, and giants.

Thor- The strongest son of Odin. Domains were thunder, battle and fertility.

Balder- The most beloved son of Odin. God of radiance, rebirth, justice, and light.

Njord- Father of Frey and Freya. God of the wind and sea.

Frey- God of fertility, prosperity, sun and rain.

Freya- Goddess of love, fertility, beauty, magic, war and death.

Idunn- Goddess of youth. In charge of keeping the Golden Apples.

Loki- Trickster god who was responsible for the coming of the Ragnarok.
Fenrir- A monstrous wolf who is also Loki's son.

Jormungandr- A giant sea serpent who is also Loki's son.

Ragnarok- The final battle between Loki and his children and the gods.

Runes- Magical stones that were used inorder for the humans to communicate with the gods.

Cree Myth

The Cree The Rabbit And The Fire

The Cree are also known as the Rabbit People. This is so because the Cree hold the rabbit in high standards. The reason for this is told in the myth “How Rabbit Brought Fire To The People.” This myth shows how Rabbit helped save the Cree’s civilization.

In the beginning there was no fire. The Cree lived in darkness with nothing to cook their food or keep them warm. Till one day the Thunderbirds sent lightning to a sycamore tree located on Weasel Island. This gave the Cree hope, but the Weasels were selfish and did not share. So the Cree called a council, inviting all animals that cold swim, to make a solution.

As soon as everyone was gathered the Cree explained that they needed some of the fire in order for their people to strive. The dilemma was that they could not swim to the other side, and for this reason they were asking the animals for help. Even though the animals wished to help they would not go because the Weasels were evil creatures that they feared. That was when Rabbit chimed in and said that he did not fear the Weasels and that he would go and retrieve the fire.

While Rabbit was preparing to leave he came across some pine tar. With an idea forming in his head Rabbit took the pine tar and rubbed it on his ears. Then he immediately left for the Weasels Island. Upon arriving at the island, Rabbit was greeted with cheers. The Weasels knew that Rabbit was well known for his dancing skills and asked him to join them.

The Weasels dance consisted of dancing around and bowing to the fire. So when Rabbit went to go bow to the fire he leaned his ears very close to the fire and as a result the pine tar caught fire. Once his ears were aflame Rabbit sprinted towards the water. The Weasels pursued but Rabbit was to fast. The Weasels were infuriated and called upon the Thunderbirds to make it rain. The Thunderbirds answered by making it rain for three days straight, ensuring that Rabbit did not escape with the fire.

What the Weasels did not know was that during the rain Rabbit hid in a tree and did not emerge till it stopped. Rabbit then returned to the Cree and presented them with the fire. The Cree were eternally grateful to Rabbit and gave him many praises. From then on the Cree lived happily with the fire and never once forgot Rabbit’s brave deed.

Welker, Glen. “How Rabbit Brought Fire To the People.” Indigenous Peoples’ Literature. 1996. 6 November 2008. http://www.indigenouspeople.net/howrabbi.htm.

Myth definitions

Myths are support for religious beliefs, explanations, ideas, and desires. An example of a myth is the story of Pyramus and Thisbe.

A hero is a founder of something new, such as a new age, or a new religion. Heroes are models of human society. An example of a hero is Atalanta.

The hero journey is the roads of trials, battles and obstacles a hero must go through. These include the ultimate battle, the transformation, and the boon. An example of a hero journey is Hercules and his 12 trials.

Being universal is having a trait that everyman can relate to and is known throughout the world.

An archetype is an original model after which other similar things are patterned. An example of an archetype is the creation stories of the world because they are the original stories that others are modeled after.

Duality is the quality of opposites existing in a whole. An example of Duality is Yin and Yang, having good and evil coexisting together.

Creation is the product of invention or imagination. An example of creation is Pan Gu being born from and egg and when he dies his body parts become mountains, wind, rain, and other elements that exist on our earth.

Life from death is the creation of life from death. An example of life from death is that in order for humans to live we must hunt animals for food.

A matriarchal is a sovereign government in which women rule and reign is passed down from mother to daughter. An example of matriarchal is the Egyptian ruler Isis.

A patriarchal is a sovereign government in which men rule and reign is passed down form father to son. An example of patriarchal is Zeus being the supreme ruler of the gods.

A sacrifice is giving up something for the benefit of others. An example of a sacrifice is the Sacred King being sacrificed in order to promote fertility throughout the land.

Interpretation Essay

Pyramus and Thisbe

Everybody knows the crimson red color of the mulberries, but not everyone knows that they once were white. Long ago the mulberry tree stood tall and majestic with brilliantly white berries. Till the fateful day when it witnessed and absorbed the death of two lovers. The story of Thisbe and Pyramus shows us the sacrifices we make for love and the depth in which our devotion to the one we love goes. The ways in which we can analyze the myth of Pyramus and Thisbe is by using the natural, social, and psychological levels of interpretation. By using these levels we can see how the myth relates to us not only on the surface but emotionally and socially as well.

Pyramus was a beautiful young man of Babylon who fell in love with the girl next door. When his love was denied he devised a plan to meet up with Thisbe. Upon arriving at the forest he saw Thisbe’s cloak ravaged by the lioness and was stricken with grief. Feeling horrible remorse and responsibility for the loss of his love he felt that taking his own life could be the only penance. On the social level Pyramus represents all young men in communities. The need for him to provide and take care of Thisbe is typically the role of all young men. Psychologically he shows bravery and chivalry. He portrays his strong devotion for the well being of Thisbe. Although if Pyramus had not acted so rash he could have found out that Thisbe was still alive.


Thisbe was the most beautiful girl of all Babylon. She grew up loving her neighbor Pyramus, but once they got older their love became forbidden. It came to be that Thisbe’s love would not be thwarted. She agreed to meet Pyramus and runaway. When she came upon Pyramus dying on the forest floor, her love for him brought her to take hers as well. On the social level Thisbe being a young woman represents the future. All life depends on younger generation. If the young cannot live due to the circumstances that are put upon them, how will we prosper? Psychologically Thisbe represents the longing to be with whom you want. By running away she shows rebellion and also the secrecy of their love. Additionally Thisbe reflects the dream most girls have, to have a love that is forbidden and her knight in shining armor will come and take her away and live happily ever after. Unfortunately for Thisbe her story ended in tragedy.


One must think that the tragedy that takes place in this story might not have happened. Thisbe and Pyramus just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. However no one can stop a lioness from hunting. Socially the lioness represents the customs and beliefs of families. Some families will not permit a marriage due to the thought that they are not compatible. The lioness takes them from each other showing that separation. Even though psychologically the lioness represents separation, it also represents joining. By taking both their lives indirectly, she made it possible for them to be together in death for eternity. The lioness can bring the feelings of sorrow and grief for the families, but for the lovers she brings joy.


So in the end the two lovers end up together, although it cost the parents their children. By looking at the story of Pyramus and Thisbe on a natural, social, and psychological level, we can see that everything has a deeper meaning. The two young lovers represent love, loss, secrecy, rebellion, and desire. These feelings are feelings that everyone in the world can relate to and compare to their own lives.