![Depiction of Odin by Ólafur Brynjúlfsson[2]](https://www.listofgods.com/assets/images/figures/norse_odin.webp)
Odin
Chief of the Æsir (Allfǫðr — Allfather); central deity of Norse mythology. Wisdom-and-poetry god; receiver of the slain at Valhǫll. Sacrificed his right eye at Mímir's well for wisdom; hung himself on Yggdrasil for nine nights, pierced by his own spear, to receive the runes (Hávamál Rúnatal). Wields Gungnir and Draupnir; rides Sleipnir; accompanied by ravens Huginn and Muninn and wolves Geri and Freki. Father of Baldr by Frigg; father of Þórr by Jǫrð (the giantess earth-personification); father of Sæmingr by Skaði per Háleygjatal — the Norse pattern of god-jǫtunn unions producing royal-genealogical heirs is consistent. Tacitus Germania 9 (1st c. CE) is the earliest external attestation, via Roman interpretatio identifying Mercury (Germanic Wōden / Odin) as chief Germanic deity. The major cult centers were Gamla Uppsala (Sweden), Lejre (Denmark), and Hlaðir (Norway). Christianization of Scandinavia 10th-12th c. CE displaced active worship; the textual recording (Snorri, Codex Regius) is medieval-saga from the 13th c., separated from the cult by 200+ years.
Parentage
Children
Domains
- kingship of Æsir Allfather
- wisdom poetry rune magic
- war and battle death
- patron of Yngling and Hlaðir jarls genealogy
Powers
- Chant spell-songs (galdr)
- Shapeshift into beasts
- Raise and question the dead
- Work runic magic
- Work seiðr sorcery
Epithets
- Alfǫðr
- Sigfǫðr
- Valfǫðr
- Hangaguð / Hangatýr
- Hárr / Jafnhárr / Þriði
- Grímnir
- Gangleri
- Bǫlverkr
- Herjann
- Þundr
- Yggr
- Hroptatýr
- Veratýr
- Gautr
- Báleygr
- Bileygr
- Síðhǫttr
- Fjǫlnir
- Hnikarr
- Farmatýr
- Óski
- Hárbarðr