Midgard

One of the more important realms, this is also one we as humans are most familiar with - we live here! Being placed in the middle of Yggdrasil, below Asgard yet above Helheim, and neighboring Jotunheim, our world is the center of much conflict and legend. Called Miðgarðr in Old Norse, the home of humanity is enclosed by a defensive fortress much like Asgard. Built from the eyelashes and/or eyebrows of the first giant, Ymir, this wall is meant to protect humanity from the Jötnar as well as to show their civilized, lawful nature in comparison to unenclosed realms. A much more physical connection to Asgard is the well-known Bifrost, or Rainbow Bridge.

Even when the gods do not travel to earth, they keep a close eye on it. Odin’s ravens, Hugin and Munin, fly over Midgard each day to collect news and inform the god of human happenings. Midgard is said to be the middle of almost everything, including an impassable ocean which surrounds the known world. Within this ocean lies the Midgard Serpent, Jormungandr, who is so large he circles the world and bites his own tail. When the Norse end of days occurs, the serpent will rise from the depths, bringing the waters with him; eventually Midgard will sink into the sea and be reborn for a new cycle of life to start.

Further Reading