Nidhoggr is the evil dragon from Norse mythology who gnaws at the roots of the World Tree, Yggdrasil.
Overview[]
Literally meaning Malice Striker in Old Norse, he lives beneath the roots of Yggdrasil and continually gnaws at them as they are the only thing that keeps it from the world, tipping the balance of the world toward darkness. He is also said to reside in Helheim, alongside the goddess Hel. Similar to Cerberus, it is said that Nidhoggr chews on or otherwise tortures the dead. He is sometimes described as snake or at least a more snake-like dragon.
Nidhoggr lives with many other serpents in the spring of Hvergelmir, in Niflheim. It rules over the evil snakes that live there. It is capable of living through Ragnarok by feeding on the slain corpses that drift to it. The only person capable of controlling him is the goddess Hel. Its existence is the portend of the Ragnarok that signals the end of all where he will escape as his body is "dripping with corpses" while flying low across the blazing plains.
Nidhoggr is the bitter rival of Hraesvelgr, the great eagle who lives at the top of the tree. The squirrel Ratatoskr acts as a go-between in their never-ending quarrel. Ratatoskr takes the messages of envy and hate they send to each other and exaggerates them, twisting their words into cruel taunts. It enjoys egging them on so much that they two will remain bitter enemies to the end. At Ragnarok, the end of the world, Nidhoggr and Hraesvelgr are fated to eat every one of the souls that die.
Appearance[]
He is usually depicted as a all-black dragon with huge wings.
Personality[]
Powers and Abilities[]
History[]
Myths and Legends[]
Quotes[]
| “ | Nidhoggr is the dragon who is under Yggdrasil, eating the dead and the one who will awakening Ragnarok. | „ |
| — A dwarf talking about Nidhoggr. |
| “ | At last, the evil dragon has finally appeared from Helheim! Now let's began the end this word! | „ |
| — An unnamed daemon. |
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- His name means "one who burns with rage."