The dragon that gnaws at Yggdrasil's roots and survives Ragnarök.
Níðhöggr is a dragon or serpent that gnaws at the roots of the world tree Yggdrasil. He is mentioned in Grímnismál 32 and 35, where he is described as a persistent torment to the tree's foundation. The name may be interpreted as 'the striker of malice' or 'the one who strikes downward', capturing his destructive role in the cosmos.
In Völuspá 66, Níðhöggr appears after Ragnarök, flying with corpses clutched in his wings, demonstrating that he survives the great catastrophe. Gylfaginning 16 and 51 confirm his role at the roots and at the end of time. Níðhöggr represents a permanent cosmic entropy directed against the foundations of world order.
Sources in the Eddas
- Grímnismál 32, 35
- Níðhöggr is described as gnawing at Yggdrasil's roots. Own translation.
- Völuspá 66
- Níðhöggr flies with corpses after Ragnarök. Own translation.
Interpretive traditions
A What we know
Níðhöggr gnaws at Yggdrasil's roots and survives Ragnarök, well attested in Völuspá and Grímnismál.
B What we think we know
The dragon may be interpreted as a personification of the cosmic entropy that perpetually undermines order.