A. Sutherland – AncientPages.com – In Norse mythology, Nidhogg (also (Nithog, Nidhögg) is the corpse-eating dragon that lives entwined around Yggdrasil’s foot. Nidhogg is stalking in the roots of Yggdrasil.
In the Völuspá, a very powerful female shaman and seer, Völva, reveals that Nidhogg (“the Dread Biter”) gnaws the roots of Yggdrasil; his evil deed symbolizes the destructive elements in the universe and this malevolent dragon is, in fact, the greatest threat to the tree of life.
Left: Artistic impression of a Völva. Artist unknown – Right: The horrifying Niddhog. Credit: Public Domain
Accompanied by his serpent sons (Goinn, Moinn, Grabakr, Grafvolludr, Ofnir, and Svafnir), Nidhogg gnaws the root of the sacred ash tree, threatening to destroy it.
It is Nidhogg’s plan to kill the tree because he knows that its death would be to signal the downfall of the gods.
Dwelling Place And Duties of Nidhogg
Nidhogg dwells in the spring Hvergelmir (‘Roaring Kettle’ or Roaring Cauldron), located in the center of Niflheim. From Hvergelmir flowed the eleven poisonous rivers that with time, collapsed into the chasm, froze, and filled it with poisonous ice.
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