Niflheim, in Norse mythology, is one of the nine worlds and is known as the primordial realm of ice, mist, and darkness. It is described as a cold, misty world located in the northern region of the cosmic void called Ginnungagap. Niflheim is believed to be the source of eleven rivers, collectively known as Élivágar, which flowed from the spring Hvergelmir. These icy rivers played a crucial role in the creation of the universe, as their freezing waters met with the heat from Muspelheim, the world of fire, to form the first being, the giant Ymir.
In some accounts, Niflheim is closely associated with or even synonymous with Niflhel, the lowest level of Helheim, the underworld ruled by the goddess Hel. This connection emphasizes Niflheim's nature as a place of cold and darkness, often linked with death and the afterlife. The realm is said to be shrouded in eternal mist and inhabited by various mythical creatures, including the dragon Níðhöggr, who gnaws at the roots of Yggdrasil, the world tree. Despite its inhospitable nature, Niflheim remains an integral part of Norse cosmology, representing the primal forces of cold and darkness that balance the heat and light of other realms.
Niflheim is one of the nine worlds in Norse cosmology, situated in the northern region of Ginnungagap, the primordial void.
Niflheim is considered one of the first worlds to come into existence, alongside Muspelheim, the realm of fire.
The creation of Niflheim is not explicitly described in the Eddas, but it is portrayed as an primordial realm that existed before the formation of the ordered cosmos.
While the Eddas and sagas do not provide extensive details about Niflheim, its significance in Norse mythology is evident through its role in the creation myth and its representation of fundamental cosmic forces.
Niflheim has had a significant cultural impact, particularly in modern interpretations of Norse mythology: