Odin - God of Norse Mythology

Odin (pronounced: "OH-din") also known as Wotan or Woden in other Germanic cultures, is a prominent deity in Norse mythology. He is considered the chief god of the Norse pantheon, with a complex and multifaceted role that encompasses wisdom, war, death, magic, poetry, prophecy, victory, and the hunt.

The name "Odin" in Old Norse runes is written as:

ᚢᛞᛁᚾ

According to Norse mythology, Odin resides in Asgard in the palace of Valaskjálf, which he built for himself. His throne, Hliðskjálf, is located in Valaskjálf and allows him to observe what is happening in each of the nine worlds. In battle, Odin brandishes his spear, Gungnir, and rides his eight-legged steed, Sleipnir.

Odin was the son of Borr and the giant Bestla, and brother to Vili and Vé. He was married to Frigg and fathered many of the gods, including Thor, Baldr, Víðarr, and Váli. Odin is often referred to with an infinite number of kenningars in skaldic poetry, with one of the most common being Allföðr, meaning "father of all".

As the god of war, Odin was responsible for sending the Valkyries to collect the heroic warriors killed in battle, known as the einherjar. These warriors sit next to him in Valhalla, where he presides over banquets. At the end of time, Odin will lead gods and men against the forces of chaos in the battle of the end of the world, Ragnarök. There, he will be killed and devoured by the ferocious wolf Fenrir, whom Vidar will immediately slay, tearing its jaws apart and placing a foot on its throat.

Odin's name is derived from the Proto-Germanic deity *Wōđinaz or *Wōđanaz, whose name is related to the Old Norse word óðr, meaning 'mad, frantic, furious, or violent', and is cognate with the Anglo-Saxon word wōd. The noun óðr means 'mind, wisdom, soul, or sensibility' and 'song or poetry', and is cognate with the Anglo-Saxon word wōþ. In compound words, óð- means 'violently energetic'.

Odin is an ambivalent deity, associated with both poetry and inspiration, as well as fury and madness. He sacrificed his left eye in the Well of Mimir to gain infinite wisdom and know everything (except the future). He was also the one who gave the courageous poets the mead of inspiration made by the dwarves from the vessel called Óð-rœrir. However, another interpretation suggests an egotistical character, as Odin obtained knowledge of the runes after sacrificing himself on the world tree Yggdrasil but kept that knowledge to himself and did not share it with anyone else.

Odin is also associated with the concept of the Wild Hunt, Asgardreid, a roaring, roaring movement across the sky where he leads the hosts of dead warriors. In the Prose Edda, Snorri Sturluson describes Odin welcoming warriors who have heroically died in battle to his residence, Valhalla, where they can drink, eat, and fight until Ragnarök arrives, where they will fight alongside Odin.

Overall, Odin's complex character and multifaceted role in Norse mythology make him a prominent and enduring figure in Germanic culture and mythology.

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