This type of magic was not without its risks, however. His constant search for knowledge was aided by Hugin and Munin, physical representations of this pursuit. Many of Odin’s myths involve his efforts to expand his seidr abilities. It was primarily concerned with foretelling the future and influencing the strands of fate. Seidr was a distinct branch of magic in Norse thought. As a master of seidr, Odin was closely tied to these concepts. Hugin and Munin, meanwhile, represented the god’s powers over fate and magic. As a shamanistic animal warrior, he could take on the attributes of a wolf as he fought. In the case of Odin, he had two sets of animals to take on this shamanic function.įreki and Geri were Odin’s wolves, representing his physical strength and power in battle. Often, shamans associate themselves with an animal form when they go into the trances that give them their powers. Hugin and Munin served a practical purpose as Odin’s informants, but many historians believe that they also had a more symbolic function.Īlthough not much is known about how the people of the Viking Age practiced their religion, most believe that shamanic practices played an important role. According to one historian, “similar depictions occur everywhere the Vikings went.” My Modern Interpretation Similar images have been found from throughout Europe, from the shores of England to Western Russia. Both the ravens and the spear became part of Odin’s iconography, leading historians to believe that these were early images of the Germanic god. Gold plates from as early as the 5th and 6th centuries show a spear-carrying figure on horseback flanked by two ravens. While the authenticity of the information in these later texts is often brought into question, archaeological evidence shows that Odin’s ravens far predated the writing of the Poetic Edda. He feared that one, particularly Munin, would not return at the end of the day. Hugin and Munin, however, ensured that his knowledge did not rely entirely on his own perception.Īccording to the Poetic Edda, Odin worried about his birds. While the sacrifices he made to learn about fate and magic, such as giving his eye to the Well of Mimir or hanging himself for nine days on Yggdrasil, were dramatic events, the reports of Hugin and Munin allowed him to keep his knowledge current.Īlong with using his birds, Odin also had a view of everything that happened in the world from his throne in Asgard. This was one of many ways in which Odin constantly increased his knowledge. By dinnertime, they would return and report back on all that they had seen and heard as they flew over Midgard.
They were his two most constant companions.Įach day at dawn, Odin would set the birds out into the world. How Odin used Hugin and MuninĪccording to 13th century writings, Odin had two ravens that he named Hugin (Thought) and Munin (Memory). They were not just practical agents of information, but also representations of the god’s powerful magical abilities. Many historians believe that these birds also served a symbolic purpose in Odin’s iconography.
They reported to Odin over dinner, serving as mythological news reporters. The most iconic source of the god’s knowledge was a pair of ravens named Hugin and Munin.Īccording to legend, the ravens flew over the world each day to gather news of what was happening. While these stories were dramatic, Odin also had ways to get information in day-to-day life. He was willing to travel to Hel, give up an eye, and even make himself a human sacrifice to learn more about magic and fate.
#HUGIN Y MUNIN FREE#
In Norse mythology they say that Hugin and Munin are two magical ravens united and associated with our Norse god Odin. Magical stainless steel Viking ring with hugin and munin heads and triskel symbol.
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