“ | I know that I hung from the windy tree for nine long nights, stabbed with a spear, as an offering to the god Odin, myself to mine own self given, upon that tree the wisest know not from whence spring that ancient root | ” |
– Odin, Hávamál |
Odin (Old Norse: Óðinn; meaning "frenzied one;" pronounced OH-din) is the god of wisdom, war, and magic. He is the chief Viking god and is known as the Allfather. He rules as the King of the Æsir in Asgard.
In Vikings
Season 1
Odin is seen by Ragnar at the end of the Norsemen-Balts Battle as he and the Valkyries select which of the dead warriors will be taken to Valhalla. In the blink of an eye, he is gone as if he was never there, only for Ragnar to once again see him farther down the battle field.
Svein tells the young boy enlisted to bury Earl Haraldson's treasure that Odin promises that a man will have the use of everything he has hoarded up after he is dead and wakes up in Valhalla, but the hoard needs protection, somebody to look after it in this life and the next. He then kills the boy.
Earl Haraldson prays to Odin the night before his duel against Ragnar. Unfortunately for him, it appears Odin's favor is with Ragnar.
During the gathering in Uppsala, Odin is one of the gods the Vikings make their sacrifices to. While visiting the temple at Uppsala, Bjorn prays to Odin, saying, “Odin, father. I have come to ask for your love. I want to grow and to prosper, to quicken and be wise. Hear me, lord.” Ragnar also prays to Odin, saying, “Lord of lords, father, hear my prayer. Let me understand your will. Is it true that I shall have more sons like the Seer says? Accept the sacrifice I plan to offer you. And then answer me. Who will bear me my son?”
When a plague ravages Kattegat, Lagertha makes a sacrifice of a goat to Odin, praying that he stop the death. Unfortunately, one of the last victims of the disease is Gyda.
Season 2
Ragnar has Bjorn perform a human sacrifice, using a captured enemy, to Odin as a token of gratitude for victory in the Battle for Kattegat.
Season 3
The strange wanderer Harbard, is believed by Floki to be Odin in disguise. The name Harbard means "graybeard," which is one of the many nicknames for Odin. He was also known for dressing as a wanderer and traveling Scandinavia.
During the Siege of Paris, Ragnar has fever dreams caused by his injuries that involve Odin and Jesus.
Season 4
Odin replaces Hel in the opening credits.
Odin is seen traveling by boat towards Kattegat, surrounded by dozens of ravens, one of his symbols. He is bringing the news of Ragnar's death to his sons. He appears before each of Ragnar's sons to tell them of Ragnar's death and to repeat his last words.
Ragnar as Odin
Many see Ragnar as the embodiment of Odin. Ragnar even claims to be a descendant of Odin's. There are moments throughout the series where Ragnar recreates myths and stories about Odin. For example, he recreates the myth of Odin hanging himself from Yggdrasil for eternal wisdom.
Mythology
The god of war, death, fury, ecstasy, wisdom, sorcery, kings, warriors, poets, berserkers, and outsiders, Odin governs over victory, death, knowledge and ecstatic inspiration.
One of the sagas about Odin tells the story of how he gave one of his eyes to attain wisdom. After drinking from the well of the wise giant, Mimir. His two ravens, Hugin and Munin, fly from Asgard every morning and return every evening with news of Midgard, giants, and other events. His two ferocious wolves Geri and Freki accompany him sometimes and he has an eight-legged horse called Sleipnir that can travel very quickly over the nine worlds.
One of his frequent habits was to roam around Midgard in human guise, seducing and impregnating women, which was convenient for bastards, as they would often claim Odin as their father.
He is the son of Borr and Bestla, and the father to the gods Thor, Baldr, Vidar, Heimdallr, Höðr, Bragi, Váli, Hermóðr, and Týr. His wife is Frigg, but he has a friðla (an official concubine) in Skadi, Fjorgyn, and Rind.
Names
Odin has over two hundred names. In ancient times, he was known as Wodanaz. In Germany, he was known as Wotan, in Saxony as Wodden and Frisiia, and in England as Wōden. Other titles include the Allfather, Valfather (meaning "father of the slain"), One-Eye, and Dragugadrottir (meaning "Lord of the Undead").
Gallery
Trivia
- Writer Michael Hirst confirms Andre Eriksen's character is Odin.
- Irish animal trainer Eddie Drew plays Odin in Seasons 1 and 3 and portrays him in the opening credits. Norweigan actor and musician Andre Eriksen plays Odin in Season 4.
Appearances
Season One Appearances | ||||
Rites of Passage | Wrath of the Northmen | Dispossessed | ||
Trial | Raid | Burial of the Dead | ||
A King's Ransom | Sacrifice | All Change |
Season three appearances | ||||
Mercenary | The Wanderer | Warrior's Fate | Scarred | The Usurper |
Born Again | Paris | To the Gates! | Breaking Point | The Dead |
Season four appearances | ||||
A Good Treason | Kill the Queen | Mercy | Yol | Promised |
What Might Have Been | The Profit and the Loss | Portage | Death All 'Round | The Last Ship |
The Outsider | The Vision | Two Journeys | In the Uncertain Hour Before the Morning | All His Angels |
Crossings | The Great Army | Revenge | On the Eve | The Reckoning |