Muspelheim

InNorse cosmology,Muspelheim(Old Norse:Múspellsheimr), also calledMuspell(Old Norse:Múspell), is a realm offire.

The etymology of "Muspelheim" is uncertain, but may come fromMund-spilli,"world-destroyers", "wreck of the world".^[1]^[2]

Narrative

Muspelheim was described as a hot and glowing land of fire, home to the firegiants,and guarded bySurtr,with his flaming sword. It is featured in both the creation and destruction stories of Norse myth. According to theProse Edda,a great time before the Earth was made, Niflheim existed. InsideNiflheimwas a well calledHvergelmir,from this well flowed numerous streams known as theÉlivágar.Their names wereSvol,Gunnthro, Form, Finbul, Thul, Slid and Hrid, Sylg and Ylg, Vid, Leipt and Gjoll.^[3]

After a time these streams had traveled sufficiently far from their source inNiflheim,that the venom that flowed within them hardened and turned to ice. When this ice eventually settled, rain rose up from it, and froze into rime. This ice then began to layer itself over the primordial void,Ginnungagap.This made the northern portion of Ginungagap thick with ice, and storms begin to form within.

In the southern region of Ginnungagap, however, glowing sparks were still flying out of Muspelheim. When the heat and sparks from Muspelheim met the ice, it began to melt. The sparks would go on to create the Sun, Moon, and stars,^[4]and the drops of melted ice would form the primeval beingYmir:"By the might of him who sent the heat, the drops quickened into life and took the likeness of a man, who got the name Ymir. But the Frost giants call him Aurgelmir".^[3]

TheProse EddasectionGylfaginningforetells that the sons of Muspell will break theBifröstbridge as part of the events ofRagnarök:

In the midst of this clash and din the heavens are rent in twain,
and the sons of Muspell 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.

Depictions in popular culture

Muspelheim – called "Surt's sea of fire" – is mentioned in Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "The Marsh King's Daughter."

Comic books and their derived media

Muspelheim appears in different kinds ofMarvel Entertainmentmedia.

Muspelheim is a realm in theMarvel Comicsuniverse.
In theMarvel Cinematic Universe,Muspelheim is first depicted inThor: The Dark World(2013) during the Convergence and later inThor: Ragnarok(2017). Muspelheim is depicted as adyson spherewithrocky terrain.
Muspelheim appears inSpider-Man and His Amazing FriendswhenLokiuses the Twins of the Gods to teleportIcemanto the Sea of Flame in Muspelheim.

Role playing games

The gamePuzzle & Dragonsfeatures a monster entitled Flamedragon Muspelheim and Infernodragon Muspelheim.

In the gameGod of War,players can travel to Muspelheim where they can complete the six Trials of Muspelheim. When completing each trial, the player will receive rewards and will advanceKratosandAtreuscloser to the top of a largevolcano.

In the Dawn of Ragnarök expansion forUbisoft'sAssassin's Creed Valhalla,Surtr and massive armies of muspels from Muspelheim invade the dwarven realm of Svartalfheim, infecting large parts of it with pools and streams of magma.

In the mobile gameFire Emblem Heroes,the land of Muspell is a prevalent part of the game's second book, which heavily features the battle between Muspell andNiflheim.

In theMMORPG Dark Age of Camelotthere are three different realms based on different mythologies the players can choose to play in, one of them is called Midgard and is based on the Norse mythology. In Midgard there is a large region called Muspelheim which is an ashen wasteland with rivers of lava populated largely by giants and fire elemental beings.

God of War (2019) and God of War: Ragnarök feature Muspelheim as a visitable realm. In the former, the player and their companion battle through a gauntlet known as "Surtr's Trials," and in the latter, encounter Surtr himself and use him to begin Ragnarök, turning him into a monster of the same name.

Notes

References

^ Tilton, Theodore(1897).The complete Poetical Works of Theodore Tilton in One Volume: With a preface on ballad-making and an appendix on old Norse myths & fables.London, UK:T. Fisher Unwin.p. 705.Retrieved2013-01-05.
^ Vigfússon, Guðbrandur;Powell, Frederick York (1883).Corpus Poeticum Boreale: Court poetry.Vol. II. Oxford, UK:Clarendon Press.p. 471.Retrieved2013-01-05.
^^a ^b Anderson, R.B., ed. (1879).The Prose Edda.Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin. pp. 16–21.
^ Encyclopedia of World Religions.Encyclopedia Britannica. 2006. p. 803.ISBN 978-159339266-6.

External links

Works related toGylfaginningat Wikisource

[Tilton-1897-1] Tilton, Theodore(1897).The complete Poetical Works of Theodore Tilton in One Volume: With a preface on ballad-making and an appendix on old Norse myths & fables.London, UK:T. Fisher Unwin.p. 705.Retrieved2013-01-05.

[Vigfússon-Powell-1883-2] Vigfússon, Guðbrandur;Powell, Frederick York (1883).Corpus Poeticum Boreale: Court poetry.Vol. II. Oxford, UK:Clarendon Press.p. 471.Retrieved2013-01-05.

[Anderson-1879-edda-3] Anderson, R.B., ed. (1879).The Prose Edda.Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin. pp. 16–21.

[Encyc-Wrld-Relgns-2006-p803-4] Encyclopedia of World Religions.Encyclopedia Britannica. 2006. p. 803.ISBN 978-159339266-6.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]