Norse vs Celtic: The Battle of Ancient Mythologies
Norse vs Celtic is a famous comparison because of many similarities and differences between the two mythologies. These mythologies have been around for quite some time now and contain all sorts of exciting and entertaining plots and characters.
We have gathered the most accurate information about the two mythologies from our most trusted sources.
Here we bring you the comparison between the Celtic and Norse gods and goddesses along with a deep analysis of their ways of life and history.
Norse vs Celtic Comparison Table
Properties | Norse Mythology | Celtic Mythology |
Origin of Mythology | North Germanic People | Celts of Central Europe |
Narration of Mythology | Scandinavian Manuscripts | Oral Folklore, Gaulish Writings |
Religion Followed | Polytheistic | Polytheistic |
Famous Features of the Mythology | Yggdrasil, Ragnarok, Valhalla | Otherworld, Three-fold death |
Important Gods from the Mythology | Odin, Thor, Loki, Heimdallr, Freya | Dagda, Morrigan, Lugh |
What Are the Differences Between Norse and Celtics
The main difference between Norse and Celtic Mythology is that the main god in Norse mythology is Odin and in the Celtic mythology is the Dagda. Furthermore, Norse mythology stems from the Northern Germanic people whereas Celtic mythology stems from the Celts of Central Europe.
What Is Norse Mythology Best For?
Norse mythology is famous mythology that includes the legends and epics from the Northern Germanic People. These myths and legends stem from the Nordic or commonly known as Scandinavian people. They were primarily pagans until the advent of Christianity in the region. The events of the mythology were corroborated by the medieval manuscripts found throughout the history, the archaeological findings and the folklore traditions of the people.
Among the Scandinavian people, the myths and legends of Norse mythology have been passed down through generations. Much work had been lost in migrations and wars but whatever is left has brought us the Norse mythology. The Norse mythology was written in the runic language which needs to be translated.
The Norse mythology evolves around nine worlds that come together to form one tree of life known as the Yggdrasil. The Yggdrasil forms a tree in the cosmos and is the ultimate source of power for the world and its people. The Nordic people believed in Norse mythology and follow the gods and goddesses that it portrays. Therefore, the Nordic religion is highly based on polytheism.
Norse Gods and Goddesses
As the Norse mythology is based on polytheism there are many gods and goddesses that existed. These gods were loved by the people and worshipped throughout their lives. The main gods and goddesses of the Norse Mythology lived on a planet called Asgard. There they lived a lavish life, full of power and strength.
The gods and goddesses of Norse mythology had different incredible abilities and powers. They visited other planets and impregnated women to spread their Asgardian blood. This is the reason why many Norse demigods existed in the world. The demigods sometimes inherited their immortal fathers’ powers.
There are many important Norse gods and goddesses. The beginning of these gods is debatable.
Here are some of the most important gods and goddesses of Norse mythology:
Odin
Odin was the God-King of Asgard, who was primarily associated with wisdom but also was the god of death, healing, royalty, knowledge, battle, victory, sorcery, poetry, and frenzy. He always kept an owl with him as the bird was sacred to him, just as owls in Norse mythology are known to be related to Odin. He loved celebrations and events where his family and people came together to eat, drink, and have a good time.
It is key to note that Odin visited the Earth quite often, as he had fathered many demigods there which further began many different kingdoms. Overall Odin was a good God who took care of his realm. He is also famously known for the creation of Valhalla, a resting place for Viking soldiers until Ragnarok. Odin would rebuild everything that would be lost in the aftermath of Ragnarok with the help of these soldiers.
Thor
Thor is one of the most famous gods of Norse mythology. He is the god of lightning and is the strongest god of Asgard. He is the son of Odin and Frigg and the half-brother of Loki.
He is famously known for a thunderous hammer Mjölnir in hand. He was a fierce warrior and went on many quests for his father, Odin.
Thor marries a beautiful goddess with golden hair, Sif. Thor and Sif continue the legacy of Asgard and have many children together.
Loki
Loki is known as the most chaotic god of Asgard, he is the half son of Odin and the half brother of Thor. Loki is the god of mischief. He brought chaos and misdemeanor wherever he wanted. This is the reason why Loki and Thor never saw eye to eye.
Heimdallr
In Norse mythology, Heimdallr is known as the all-hearing and all-seeing god. He keeps watch for the invaders in Asgard and foresees the workings of Ragnarok. He fathered three children with mortal women who were named Praell, Karl, and Jarl, meaning slave, freeman, and nobleman respectively.
The three children grew up to be a mirror image of their names. Jarl became a famous tribe whose leader would be next in line to become defacto kings in the Norwegian hierarchy.
Freya
Freya is the Norse god of love, lust, and fertility. She is also associated with sex, beauty, lust, attraction, and sorcery. She was one of the most beautiful goddesses in the Celtic deity realm. Freya was the daughter of the temple priest, Njoror. Everyone was attracted to her because of her beauty and her exceptional powers of attraction.
These were some of the most important gods and goddesses from Norse mythology. Now let us look at Celtic mythology and its gods and goddesses in detail.
Yggdrasil
The mythologies over some very interesting events and beliefs for example the Norse mythology is spanned over nine worlds that come together to form a single tree of life called the Yggdrasil. The Norse mythology also promises an event named Ragnarok that would destroy the world and give it a fresh start.
What Is Celtic Mythology Best For?
The Celtic Mythology is a collection of myths from the Celtic people of Central Europe. The Celtic culture, mythology, and traditions did not survive because of their association with the Roman Empire. The Romans took over most of the Celtic traditions and submerged them into their own culture.
Irish mythology stemmed from whatever was left of Celtic mythology. Some people from the Celtic region migrated to Ireland and Scotland where they settled. The Celtic Mythology was then passed down the generations through oral folklore and a very few Gaulish manuscripts that survived the Roman invasion.
The height of the Celtic world covered most of Europe but it was not a unified influence. There were plenty of variations in the traditions and everyday life of the celts everywhere. Julius Caesar wrote a great deal about the Celtics and how their priests were forbidden to write some religious verses down.
Celtic Gods and Goddesses
The Celts were primarily religious with their religion being polytheistic. They are famous for their ancient places of worship, huge statues with ornaments on them and descriptive engravings. The Celtic art produced a few very descriptive images of the deities. Most of the knowledge of the gods and goddesses comes from Latin writers and archaeologists.
There are many deities in Celtic mythology that are worshipped and have played important roles in the Celtic universe.
But here are some of the most famous gods and goddesses of Celtic mythology:
Dagda
The Dagda is one of the most famous deities in the Celtic and Irish mythologies. He is portrayed as a father figure, a king, and a Druid who keeps his family together and helps them in times of need. He is associated with family, fertility, agriculture, manliness and strength. The Dagda is famous for its magic harp that can alter the moods of men and make them happy.
The Dagda has been thought of as a Celtic equivalent of Odin, the Norse god. Dagda is therefore the prime god in Celtic mythology.
Morrigan
Morrigan is the Celtic goddess of battle and war. This Celtic god is famous for being the protector of the territory and keeping the harm out. In many places of the mythology, Morrigan is thought of as an evil goddess who brings famine and chaos to the people. This is a classic example of the fact that the Celtic traditions were not unified but had many variations.
Lugh
Lugh is the god of many things in Celtic mythology. He is a Celtic god of Arts and crafts. He is further portrayed as a king and a fierce warrior.
FAQs
Are Norse and Celtic Methodologies the Same?
No, the Norse and the Celtic mythologies are not the same. They are both different mythologies. The Norse mythology is from the Northern Germanic People and the Celtic mythology stems from the Celtic people of Central Europe. Some similarities can be found because of the common human nature.
Are Vikings Norse or Celtic?
The Vikings can be thought of as a combination of the two. People that settled in Ireland with Norse roots became Vikings. So Vikings got the best of two worlds. This also proves that the Celts came before the Vikings and that the Vikings are an extension of the Celtics.
What's the Difference Between Celtic and Viking?
The Celts are more civilized than the Vikings. They had chariots and wood horsemen whereas the Vikings were savages and relied more on handwork. That is the main difference between them however the Vikings are known to have stemmed from the Celtics at one point
What Are the Similarities Between Norse and Celtics?
Norse and Celtic mythologies are complete mythologies individually, but they have some common grounds.
Here are some of the similarities between the two:
Both mythologies have varying worlds that house the gods and the people separately.
The gods of both mythologies were known to have extraordinary strengths and powers.
The gods would father children with mortal beings to form demigods.
The concept of the world ending and the civilization starting again was widely famous in both myths.
The mythologies were passed down mostly the oral folklore or by some manuscripts that survived the passing time.
Both the mythologies have polytheistic religions.
Who Came First Celts or Vikings?
The Celts came before the Vikings. The first-ever signs of the Celtic language were discovered in the 6th century BC in parts of Northern Ireland. It is estimated that the Celts would have originated some 600 years before that. The Celts also fought the Romans and the Vikings surely came after the Romans.
Conclusion
Norse and Celtic mythologies are two great mythologies of the world that embody a series of great events, valiant heroes, and gods. These mythologies are very famous among people because people can find some resemblance of emotion with the gods. Norse mythology is a compilation of myths regarding the Northern Germanic people whereas Celtic mythology is a compilation of the myths regarding the Celts of Central Europe.
No doubt that the comparison between the two mythologies, Norse and Celtic, is important but both the mythologies are complete and beautiful in their own manner. These mythologies have given the literature many masterpieces and the film industry, many great heroes and characters to work with. The legacy of the two mythologies shall live on for generations to come. This was everything you needed to know about the Norse vs Celtic mythologies, their individuality, similarities, and differences.
