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Fafnir
Type/Species: Serpent
Origin: Norse Mythology
History: Regin the dwarf told a man named Sigurd to slay a mighty dragon named Fafnir. What he did not tell Sigurd, however, is that Fafnir was once Regin's own brother. Fafnir killed their father in order to gain wealth and, with his greed, transformed himself into a mighty dragon so that he could protect his horde better. So, unknowingly, Sigurd rode with Regin to the dragon, taking along his broken-sword, Gram, which he inherited from his father.
Sigurd knew, somewhat, about dragons and their hides. He knew that he could not penetrate the dragon's scaly body with any weapon, and so Regin suggested that they stab his under belly. They dug a deep ditch for Sigurd to hide in, and, as the dragon came out for his daily trip to the water hole, Sigurd shoved the huge sword, Gram, into the dragon's soft underbelly.
After the dragon was dead, Regin cut out the heart so that he could roast it. After it was roasted, Sigurd overheard birds speaking and they told him that the dwarf was planning to kill him. When Sigurd looked at Regin, he knew it was true, so he cut off Regin's head. Then he claimed the cave's treasure for his own.
Symbolism: This story is depicted in what is called The Sigurd Runestone. The serpent looks to represent corruption and greed, while his brother, Regin, is no better and is a symbol too. Sigurd, caught in the middle, emerges victorious, and he is also somewhat greedy, for, as the story states, he went to slay the dragon for fame.
Physical Description: When you read the summary, you might lean towards thinking this dragon is a Western dragon. The though outer layer of scales and soft underbelly are not limited to Western dragons, however. In art, this dragon is depicted with having a long, slim body and, with as much as I have seen, no wings.
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Nidhogg
Type/Species: Serpent
Alternative Spellings: Niddhogg, Nydhogg, Nidhoggr
Origin: Scandinavian/Germanic Mythology/Norse mythology
History: Nidhogg is said to be the dragon that lives in the underworld Niflheim in Norse mythology. The name itself translates into things like "dread biter" and "striking full of hatred."6
Nidhogg lives by the root of Yggdrasill the World Ash, in the pit Hvergelmer. There he feeds on the dead bodies at Hvergelmir, or the bubbling cauldron, the spring in the Niflheim which is also the source of the rivers of the world. 7
Should the Nidhogg not be feeding, he has several other tasks that he performs throughout the year. The first is gnawing at the root of the Yggrasill, and thereby joins with four stags called Duneyr, Durathor, Dvalinn, and Dainn, whom all graze on the tree from above. He also takes the time to send taunting messages to the eagle that proudly perches herself at the top of it. For this task, he uses the squirrel Ratatosk, and, in turn, the eagle sends Ratatosk to taunt Nidhogg.8
When the Ragnarok takes place it is said that the dragon will rise and take the dead with him in order to join the battle. The dragon will live through the battle and help lead the new order. 9
Symbolism: Unlike many other mythologic creatures, the Nidhogg does not seem to be evil or good. It is said that he sits at the bottom of the tree attempting to destroy the universe, and some other suggestions include that the dragon would be the evil side of the new order. However, the suggestion may be based upon other mythologies and religion and thus be false.
Physical Description: Again, unlike other dragons, the description is unclear.
Type/Species: Serpent
Origin: Norse Mythology
History: Regin the dwarf told a man named Sigurd to slay a mighty dragon named Fafnir. What he did not tell Sigurd, however, is that Fafnir was once Regin's own brother. Fafnir killed their father in order to gain wealth and, with his greed, transformed himself into a mighty dragon so that he could protect his horde better. So, unknowingly, Sigurd rode with Regin to the dragon, taking along his broken-sword, Gram, which he inherited from his father.
Sigurd knew, somewhat, about dragons and their hides. He knew that he could not penetrate the dragon's scaly body with any weapon, and so Regin suggested that they stab his under belly. They dug a deep ditch for Sigurd to hide in, and, as the dragon came out for his daily trip to the water hole, Sigurd shoved the huge sword, Gram, into the dragon's soft underbelly.
After the dragon was dead, Regin cut out the heart so that he could roast it. After it was roasted, Sigurd overheard birds speaking and they told him that the dwarf was planning to kill him. When Sigurd looked at Regin, he knew it was true, so he cut off Regin's head. Then he claimed the cave's treasure for his own.
Symbolism: This story is depicted in what is called The Sigurd Runestone. The serpent looks to represent corruption and greed, while his brother, Regin, is no better and is a symbol too. Sigurd, caught in the middle, emerges victorious, and he is also somewhat greedy, for, as the story states, he went to slay the dragon for fame.
Physical Description: When you read the summary, you might lean towards thinking this dragon is a Western dragon. The though outer layer of scales and soft underbelly are not limited to Western dragons, however. In art, this dragon is depicted with having a long, slim body and, with as much as I have seen, no wings.
top of the page
Nidhogg
Type/Species: Serpent
Alternative Spellings: Niddhogg, Nydhogg, Nidhoggr
Origin: Scandinavian/Germanic Mythology/Norse mythology
History: Nidhogg is said to be the dragon that lives in the underworld Niflheim in Norse mythology. The name itself translates into things like "dread biter" and "striking full of hatred."6
Nidhogg lives by the root of Yggdrasill the World Ash, in the pit Hvergelmer. There he feeds on the dead bodies at Hvergelmir, or the bubbling cauldron, the spring in the Niflheim which is also the source of the rivers of the world. 7
Should the Nidhogg not be feeding, he has several other tasks that he performs throughout the year. The first is gnawing at the root of the Yggrasill, and thereby joins with four stags called Duneyr, Durathor, Dvalinn, and Dainn, whom all graze on the tree from above. He also takes the time to send taunting messages to the eagle that proudly perches herself at the top of it. For this task, he uses the squirrel Ratatosk, and, in turn, the eagle sends Ratatosk to taunt Nidhogg.8
When the Ragnarok takes place it is said that the dragon will rise and take the dead with him in order to join the battle. The dragon will live through the battle and help lead the new order. 9
Symbolism: Unlike many other mythologic creatures, the Nidhogg does not seem to be evil or good. It is said that he sits at the bottom of the tree attempting to destroy the universe, and some other suggestions include that the dragon would be the evil side of the new order. However, the suggestion may be based upon other mythologies and religion and thus be false.
Physical Description: Again, unlike other dragons, the description is unclear.
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