Niflheim

[ niv-uhl-heym ]

noun

, Scandinavian Mythology.

1. a place of eternal cold, darkness, and fog, ruled over by Hel: abode of those who die of illness or old age.

Niflheim

/ ˈnɪvəlˌheɪm /

noun

1. Norse myth the abode of the dead

Word History and Origins

Origin of Niflheim¹

< Old Norse Niflheimr, equivalent to nifl- (cognate with Old English nifol darkness, Old High German nebal mist, cloud, Latin nebula ( nebula )) + heimr world, home

Word History and Origins

Origin of Niflheim¹

Old Norse, literally: mist home

Example Sentences

Odin gave him his horse Sleipnir and he sped down to Niflheim.

From Literature

Far to the north was Niflheim, the cold realm of death, and far to the south was Muspelheim, the land of fire.

From Literature

From Niflheim twelve rivers poured which flowed into the chasm and freezing there filled it slowly up with ice.

From Literature

A serpent and his brood gnawed continually at the root beside Niflheim, Hel’s home.

From Literature

He rode down to Niflheim, the world of the dead, where he found the dwelling of Hela, or Hel, the Goddess of the Dead, all decked out in festal array.

From Literature