Who is the Norse god bird?

In Norse mythology, there are two main bird gods that are important figures: the eagle and the raven. The eagle is associated with Odin, the ruler of the gods, while the raven is associated with Odin but also with his sons.

The Eagle

The eagle is a symbol of Odin, the most powerful and wisest of the Norse gods. Odin was often depicted with an eagle perched on his shoulder, representing wisdom and knowledge. Some key facts about the eagle in Norse mythology:

• The giant eagle was a shapeshifter, meaning Odin could transform into an eagle at will.
• Two eagles named Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory) sat on Odin’s shoulders. They flew around the world daily and reported news back to Odin, helping him stay informed.
• The eagle represented clear sight, perception, and intelligence. As a bird that soars high in the sky, it symbolized lofty spirit and ability to see the big picture.
• Odin was often depicted with an eagle feather in his hat. Eagles were sacred to Odin and offerings were made to him at altars adorned with eagle feathers.
• In some texts, the eagle was a messenger that carried messages between the gods. This may be linked to its keen eyesight and ability to swiftly travel great distances.

So in summary, the eagle was a primary symbol of Odin and associated with wisdom, knowledge, perception, and the higher faculties of the mind in Norse tradition.

The Raven

The raven also had an important symbolic role in Norse mythology. Some key associations with the raven include:

• Odin’s ravens Huginn and Muninn – Thought and Memory – reported news of the world to Odin. So like the eagle, the raven was linked with Odin’s search for knowledge.
• Ravens are carrion birds associated with death and war in Norse culture. Odin was linked to death as he escorted fallen warriors to Valhalla. Ravens feasting on the slain were seen as servants of Odin.
• Ravens are tricksters in Norse myth. They are cunning birds linked with manipulation and deception.
• The raven banner was carried by Viking warriors to symbolize Odin’s spirit accompanying them in battle. It brought victory.
• Ravens represent prophecy and divination. Odin gained esoteric knowledge and ability to see future events by consulting the disembodied head of the prophetess Mimir, which was kept by Odin with two ravens.

In addition to Odin, the raven was also associated with his sons:

• Thor’s father Odin gifted him with two ravens named Huginn and Muninn.
• The god Baldr had a dream of his death which was related by Odin’s ravens.
• King Ragnar Lothbrok, said to be a descendant of Odin, carried a raven banner called Reafan into battle.

So in Norse tradition, the raven has links to Odin but also appears as a symbolic animal connected with his offspring. The raven represents war, death, knowledge, prophecy, and cunning.

Raven and Eagle Symbolic Meanings

When looking at the eagle and raven side by side, some interesting contrasts emerge in how they were seen in Norse myth:

The eagle and raven were both sacred to Odin. However, the eagle represents the higher intellectual faculties – wisdom, perception, and insight. By contrast, the raven is associated with war, cunning, death, and trickery. If the eagle soars upward, the raven descends down into the dark underworld of battle and blood. Yet both were seen as messengers and servants of Odin.

Odin’s Ravens

The two ravens Huginn and Muninn – Thought and Memory – deserve special mention. In Norse mythology texts such as the Poetic Edda, these two ravens sat on Odin’s shoulders and traveled the world daily to gather information for him. Some key details about Odin’s ravens include:

• They were called Huginn and Muninn, from the Old Norse words for “thought” and “memory” or “mind.” Therefore they represented the mental faculties.
• The ravens didn’t appear to play a major role in any Norse myths, but were almost always mentioned alongside Odin. Their names were practically synonymous with the god.
• In artworks depicting Odin such as figurines or illustrations in manuscripts, Huginn and Muninn are frequently shown perched on his shoulders.
• The ravens kept Odin informed about events around the world so he would not be surprised. Given his quest for wisdom, knowledge was power.
• In some interpretations, the ravens represented the power of thought (Huginn) and memory (Muninn) to foresee the future. Their observations revealed Odin’s destiny.
• Losing the ravens was a bad omen for Odin in myths, as it meant losing his source of knowledge and prophecy.

So Thought and Memory served as Odin’s agents, circling the world daily and using their keen raven perception to keep the god informed and prepared for what was to come. They were extensions of Odin’s intelligence gathering and his desire for omniscience and foresight.

Transforming into Birds

Shapeshifting and transformation are common themes in Norse mythology. The gods, jotun (giants), and other mythical beings frequently had the power to change their appearance. Besides Odin transforming into an eagle at will, there are other examples of characters turning into birds in Norse myths:

• Freyja’s feathered cloak: The goddess Freyja owned a magical cloak of falcon feathers that allowed her to transform into a falcon. She used it to fly swiftly between worlds.
• Loki as a falcon: Trickster god Loki sometimes turned himself into a falcon, using the form’s excellent eyesight and speed for his schemes.
• Valkyries as swan maidens: The choosers of the slain on the battlefield, Valkyries could take the form of swans.
• Night ravens: Two ravens named Huginn and Muninn sat on Night’s shoulders. Night was the daughter of a giant, gifted with flight and a cloak of feathers.
• Giant eagle at world’s end: The giant Hræsvelgr took the form of an eagle, beating his wings to cause the winds according to Norse cosmology.

So the ability to take bird form, often using a magical garment like a feathered cloak, was common in the myths. Odin’s high regard for ravens and eagles seems connected to his penchant for transforming into these wise and perceptive birds.

Ravens and Eagles in Viking Symbolism

Beyond the mythology, ravens and eagles were culturally significant to the Vikings as symbols:

• Raven banners were carried by Vikings and Saxon warriors, as symbols of Odin and harbingers of victory. They struck fear in their enemies.
• The eagle symbol was found on Viking jewelry, armor, and tools as a protective symbol and identifier of Odin’s favor.
• Rune stones were carved with depictions of eagles or the name of the god, to honor Odin and request his blessing.
• Kings claimed descent from Odin and included ravens and eagles on their royal crests and shields.
• Viking longships often featured carved eagle figureheads and raven symbols on their prows, to invoke wind magic and speed.

So in addition to their mythological symbolism, ravens and eagles had great cultural significance for Vikings. They revered them as holy birds of Odin and used their imagery frequently in iconography and battle.

Ravens and Eagles Today

The raven and eagle still appear in modern pop culture, games, and activities inspired by Norse mythology and Viking culture:

• As mascots: Sports teams with names like Raiders and Vikings often use the eagle or raven as a mascot.
• In movies: The Marvel comics and movies feature Odin prominently along with his ravens and eagle associations.
• In literature: Fantasy books and comics continue to incorporate Odin’s birds into Norse-inspired characters and plots.
• In logos: Many brands use eagle or raven designs and symbols to communicate vision, wisdom, courage, or strength.
• In games: Eagles and ravens appear in video games, board games, and RPGs based on Norse mythology as symbols, characters, and creatures.
• As tattoos: Vikings tattooed runes and animal symbols, so many fans today get raven and eagle tattoos to represent aspects of Norse culture.

Modern pop culture has strongly embraced the Norse symbolic heritage. As iconic birds tied deeply to Odin and Viking culture, the raven and eagle live on in movies, games, brands, and more.

Conclusion

In Norse mythology, the raven and the eagle occupy central roles as holy birds of Odin. The eagle represents lofty intellect, sight, wisdom and knowledge. The raven is a more cunning trickster associated with war, death, prophecy, and magic. Both serve Odin as messengers and providers of information. Shapechanging into bird form is also common in the myths, as the gods frequently transform into eagles and ravens. Beyond myths, the birds were potent symbols for Vikings on banners, jewelry, ships, and runestones, representing Odin’s presence and magic. Today the legacy continues, as Thor’s father Odin remains hugely popular in movies, games, comics, and pop culture. The god’s two birds – Huginn and Muninn, Thought and Memory – still often accompany him as icons of Norse legend.