Muspelheim
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Muspelheim ("Flameland"), also called Muspel (Old Norse Múspellsheimr and Múspell, respectively), is the realm of fire in Norse Mythology. It is home to the fire giants, and their master, Surtr. It is fire; and the land to the north, Niflheim, is ice. The two mixed and created water from the melting ice in Ginnungagap. Norse people used to swear, "By the fires of Muspelheim." Sparks from Muspelheim created the planets, comets and stars.
According to the Ragnarok prophecies in Snorri's Prose Edda, the Sons of Muspel will break the Bifrost bridge, signaling the end of times:
In the midst of this clash and din the heavens are rent in twain, and the sons of Muspel come riding through the opening. Surtr rides first, and before him and after him flames burning fire. He has a very good sword, which shines brighter than the sun. As they ride over Bifrost it breaks to pieces, as has before been stated. The sons of Muspel direct their course to the plain which is called Vigrid.... The sons of Muspel have there effulgent bands alone by themselves.
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Norse mythology | |
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List of Norse gods | Æsir | Vanir | Giants | Elves | Dwarves | Troll | Valkyries | Einherjar | Norns | Odin | Thor | Freyr | Freyja | Loki | Balder | Týr | Yggdrasil | Ginnungagap | Ragnarök | |
Sources: Poetic Edda | Prose Edda | The Sagas | Volsung Cycle | Tyrfing Cycle | Rune stones | Old Norse language | Orthography | Later influence | |
Society: Viking Age | Skald | Kenning | Blót | Seid | Numbers | |
People, places and things |