The Romans reported that Norse tribes worshiped the earth goddess Nerthus. Some scholars think she's twin sister of the sea god Njord. Her name sounds like a female version of his, just like his daughter's name (Freyja) is a female version of his son's (Frey).
🎨 Emil Doepler

#WyrdWednesday #Folklore #Mythology #Norse #Vikings #Scandinavia #Heathen #Heathenism

A lindworm is a huge dragon-like monster from the folklore of many European countries (including Germany and Scandinavia). Though otherwise serpent-like, lindworms are often depicted with forelimbs. Anything this monster sleeps on will increase in size as the monster grows, including piles of treasure.
🎨 John Bauer

#WyrdWednesday #Mythology #Folklore #Norse #Scandinavia #Germany #FairyTale #Monster #Snake #Dragon

Wouldn't be a #WyrdWednesday without Necropants!

Need money? Icelandic tradition would advise (though I would not) you dig up a dead man and make from his skin Nábrók, Death Underpants. They're not stylish, but when you've got money, you set the style, right?

Scandinavian mermaids, called havfrue, sjörå, and other names, are harbingers of storms and are seen as fatal omens, sometimes even kidnapping sailors: better to avoid them at all costs, and avert ye eyes. #WyrdWednesday #LegendaryWednesday

🖼️: E. Jerichau-Baumann