Niflheim

views updated May 21 2018

Niflheim

The region of everlasting cold, mist, and darkness in Teutonic mythology. It is situated north of Midgard (middle earththe present human abode), across the river Gjol. It was into this region that the god Odin banished the goddess Hel to rule over the worlds of the dead. The lowest depths are named Nastrond "Strand of the Dead."

Niflheim

views updated May 21 2018

Niflheim in Scandinavian mythology, an underworld of eternal cold, darkness, and mist inhabited by those who died of old age or illness, and ruled over by the goddess Hel.