Where did old Jormungandr go?

Where Did Old Jörmungandr Go?

Jörmungandr, also known as the Midgard Serpent, is a central figure in Norse mythology. This massive sea serpent is said to be the son of the god Loki and the giantess Angrboða, making him a brother of the great wolf Fenrir and Hel, Queen of the Dead. According to Norse mythology, old Jörmungandr was once cast into the great ocean that encircles Midgard, also known as the World Serpent. But where did he go, and what became of him?

Tossed into the Great Ocean

Direct Answer to the Question

In Norse mythology, Odín took Loki’s three children – Fenrir, Hel, and Jörmungandr – and removed them from Asgard, the realm of the Æsir gods. Specifically, Odín tossed Jörmungandr into the great ocean that encircles Midgard, essentially removing him from the events that took place in Asgard. This initial event marks the beginning of Jörmungandr’s journey, a significant turning point in Norse mythology.

An Interesting Aside

While studying the various interpretations and depictions of Jörmungandr, it becomes apparent that this enigmatic serpent plays a vital role in Norse cosmology. Jörmungandr is said to be the brother of the wolf Fenrir and the giant wolf is destined to devour the sun during Ragnarök, the twilight of the gods. Moreover, Jörmungandr is fated to slay and be slain by the god Thor at the end of time.

After Life in the Great Ocean

Now back to the original question, Where did old Jörmungandr go after being tossed into the ocean?. It’s known that Jörmungandr did not die instantly but continued to exist, growing stronger with time. As a symbol of the constant struggle between light and darkness, Midgard, and Jörmungandr are entwined. It is worth noting that while in the great ocean, Jörmungandr does not sleep but continuously grows in length until encircling Midgard, becoming as long as a mile and reaching the sky itself.

Conclusions

Jörmungandr’s life is intricately intertwined with the cycle of the universe in Norse mythology. By analyzing Norse mythology, it’s evident that old Jörmungandr lived on after being tossed into the ocean. He encircles Midgard, symbolizing the struggle between good and evil, light and darkness, and order and chaos. Although this might appear as an endless loop of power struggles and fate, the life of Jörmungandr serves as a poignant reminder of the fluidity of power in Norse cosmology.