The World of Mist and Ice
Niflheim is one of the oldest worlds in Norse mythology. It is a realm of intense cold, thick fog, and frozen landscapes. In many stories, Niflheim sits at the far edge of the cosmos, distant from warmth, sunlight, and the daily life of the gods.
Niflheim is especially important in the Norse creation story. Before the world as we know it existed, there were two great regions: the heat of Muspelheim and the cold of Niflheim. Between them was an empty space, and when cold and heat met, the first life began to form.
Because of this, Niflheim is not only a place of death and darkness. It also represents beginnings. In Norse thinking, creation and destruction often sit very close together.
Character of Niflheim
Frozen Cold
A realm shaped by ice, frost, and temperatures that feel endless.
Mist and Shadow
Thick fog hides distance and direction, making the world feel uncertain.
Ancient Waters
Niflheim is linked with icy rivers and springs in the oldest myths.
Notable Features
Some of the most important parts of Niflheim appear in creation stories. These details help explain why the world matters, even when it feels far away from the main action of the gods.
Niflhel
In some sources, Niflhel is described as a deeper, darker region linked with the dead. It is sometimes connected with Hel's realm, though different texts describe these places in different ways.
Hvergelmir
A powerful spring or boiling source that is often placed in or near Niflheim. From it flow rivers that appear in the oldest accounts of the universe.
The Rivers of Ice
Several myths describe icy rivers that ran out from this region long before the world was shaped. They help explain how cold became a force in creation.
Quick Facts
Linked Beings
Nidhogg
A serpent or dragon linked with the deep roots of the cosmos and the waters near Hvergelmir.
Hel
In some traditions, Niflheim connects to the wider underworld where Hel rules.