Names of Zeus: Odin

Odin, or Óðinn (Old Norse), was the pan-Germanic “All-Father” (Alfadir), and in wider Germanic Paganism—once covering much of Europe—he was known by various derivatives such as Wōden or Wuotan, all ultimately stemming from the Proto-Germanic Wōðanaz, meaning “Lord of Frenzy” or “Leader of the Possessed.”

However, Odin has more names and titles than any other Norse/Germanic god, with estimates exceeding 150, many of which appear in the Eddas and other skaldic sources. Some of these names include:

• Alfadir (“All-Father”)
• Arhofdi (“Eagle Head”)
• Fjolsvidr (“The Very Wise One”)
• Sigfadir (“Father of Victory”)
• Gagnradr (“Giving Good Counsel”)

These epithets highlight his role as the leader of the Aesir (with twelve sitting in his council) and underscore his paternal nature, as he is said to have fathered many of the gods (and men) themselves—making him the “Most High” and “Eldest.”

Odin is primarily a God of war, wisdom, magic, poetry, and the dead. As a God of War, Odin, accompanied by divine female warriors called Valkyries, would preside over all matters of war, and by using his superior wisdom and foresight, would select the most deserving fighters to win a battle. He was the ultimate overseer of the fates of men in this regard, and only the worthy could enter Valhalla, the “Hall of the Slain,” where those of noble spirit rise in death with their Valkyrie.

ENLIGHTENMENT OF ODIN

Odin’s position as a God of magic and wisdom is evident in two of his main mythological tales, both depicting self-sacrifice in exchange for knowledge and wisdom. He first chooses to hang from the World Tree, Yggdrasil, for nine days and nine nights. Starving, dehydrated, and in pain because of the self-inflicted wound by his spear Gungnir, Odin perceived the Runes (knowledge and wisdom), which Gods and Men can use for magic and writing. In the words of the Poetic Edda:

Following this, Odin sought further knowledge and wisdom from the giant Mimir. Mimir had a well, called “Mimir’s Well,” and it was located in Jotunheim (Land of Giants). Anyone who drank from this well gained wisdom; however, there was a price to pay. Mimir allowed Odin to drink from his well on the condition that he give his left eye to the well—Odin agreed to the terms and sacrificed his eye for a drink from Mimir’s well, thus imparting wisdom. Afterward, Odin blessed man with the same gifts he acquired, at least those willing to listen.

Finally, as a God of death, Odin often travels the nine worlds of Yggdrasil, assisting mortals and gods alike as Alfadir (“All-father”). Presiding over life and death, he guides the worthy fallen mortals and elevates them to his lofty abode in Asgard, the highest world in Yggdrasil and home to the Aesir, the Gods. He keeps these men and women in Asgard, in Valhalla, awaiting the final event of Ragnarök, where their apotheosis approaches, shaped by their noble ethos.

Lastly, Odin has many symbols that he commonly associated with:

• Gungnir (“The Swaying One”) is his most important weapon. It was this spear which pierced his body during his self-sacrifice. It never misses its target and always return to his hand after use. Gungnir is the symbol of Odin’s decision in matters of battle and war. He occasionally lends Gungnir to mortals.
• An arm ring known as Draupnir, or "The Dripper," drops eight gold rings of the same weight and shape from itself every ninth night. As a result of receiving Draupnir, Odin was always able to lavish his people with gifts, which was especially fitting for the All-Father, as the Norse placed a high importance on generosity in a leader.
• Odin sits on a magic throne known as the Hlidskjalf, which he keeps in the uppermost chamber of Valaskjalf, the tallest tower in his hall, in Asgard, of course. Odin frequently uses it to observe what happens in the realms outside of Asgard because anyone who sits in it can see throughout the Nine Worlds, yet only Odin and Frigg (his wife) have the ability—Frey once tried and made an error, leaving him vulnerable.
• Sleipnir (“Sliding One”) is Odin’s eight-legged steed with magic runes carved on his teeth. Sleipnir’s eight legs represent his ability to travel between the worlds (Midgard, Asgard, etc.), symbolizing Odin's connection to all realms, particularly his role as a God of wisdom, death, and the afterlife. The horse also embodies themes of transcendence, as Sleipnir can move swiftly and across different realms, often used as a vehicle to journey to places beyond the mortal world.
• Odin has two ravens, Hugin ("Thought") and Munin ("Memory"). Each morning, they leave Asgard and fly across the world to observe everything that happens. By evening, they return, settle on Odin's shoulders, and share the knowledge they’ve gathered.
• Odin is associated with the eagle. He is often depicted wearing a helmet with eagle wings. Additionally, an eagle is perched above the Hall of Valhalla, and in the higher branches of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, an eagle sits with a hawk, Veðrfölnir, between its eyes, receiving messages from the squirrel Ratatoskr.
• Odin also has two fierce wolves, Freki and Geri (both meaning "The Greedy One"). They rest at his feet when he sits on the Hlidskjalf and while he presides over the feast in Valhalla.

There are, of course, other things associated with the All father, but these are his most popular symbols.

COSMOLOGY

After the emergence of the giant Ymir and the cow Audhumla from the primordial chaos, and the subsequent rise of the ancient beings, a trio of gods was born: Odin, Vili, and Ve. Ymir and the young gods were at odds. Following a long and fierce battle, Odin, Vili, and Ve triumphed over Ymir. From his fallen body, they shaped Midgard, the future home of mankind. The brothers then created the sun, moon, and stars, but they felt that Midgard needed inhabitants. First, they fashioned beasts to roam the forests, fish to swim in the waters, and birds to soar in the skies. Afterward, they created the dwarves, but soon realized the flaws in these creatures, despite their craftsmanship. So, Odin, Vili, and Ve decided to create humans in their own image. As they walked along the shore, they came upon an ash tree and an alder, which they chose to form the first humans. Odin gave the trees souls, Vili granted them intelligence and willpower, and Ve breathed warmth, senses, and emotions into them. The trees twisted and transformed and eventually came to life as the first man and woman, Ask ("Ash") and Embla ("Alder"). Their descendants became the men and women who would populate the world.

YGGDRASIL

Yggdrasil is the World Tree that supports the entire multiverse. It consists of nine worlds, divided into three groups: the celestial spheres, the terrestrial spheres, and the subterranean spheres. The Gods reside in the celestial spheres, with Asgard being the highest and most revered, ruled by Odin from his lofty throne, Hlidskjalf, where he observes and directs all things. The other two celestial worlds are Vanaheim, home to chthonic gods, and Alfheim, the realm of elves, ruled by the god Frey.

Beneath these celestial realms lies the middle sphere, which includes Midgard, the world of humans, Svartalfheim, the home of dwarves, and Jotunheim, the land of giants, trolls, and other monsters.

The lowest group of worlds includes Hel, the realm of the dead, where most mortals go after death; Niflheim, a cold, dark, and icy realm; and Muspelheim, a fiery world where fire giants dwell.

All nine worlds are interconnected by Yggdrasil, the World Ash Tree, which has three main roots:

• The first root extends near Asgard, at Urd’s Well, where the three Norns, or Fates, weave the threads of human lives.
• The second root plunges deep into Niflheim, emerging at Hvergelmir, where the dragon Nidhogg gnaws at it in a constant attempt to destroy the World Tree.
• The third root stretches into Jotunheim, ending at Mimir’s Well, whose waters grant wisdom.

Yggdrasil holds together all these realms, linking them across the vast expanse of the cosmos.

DIVINE DESCENT

Another common occurrence among Indo-European cultures is divine lineage. For instance, the aristocratic Anglo-Saxons and others often regarded Woden as their forefather. Old English royal genealogies list Woden as an ancestor of the kings of Lindsey, Mercia, Deira, and Bernicia, which later became Northumbria, Wessex, and East Anglia, appearing in seven of the eight genealogies. In fact, even after the Christianization of England and in other places in Europe, Woden was, at minimum, considered a common ancestor, albeit as a king or warrior instead of a God.