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Dragon Myth Entry

Norse

Jormungandr

North Atlantic & Scandinavia

In Norse myth, the world-serpent does not merely haunt the ocean - it measures it. Jormungandr coils through the northern sea as a sign of cosmic scale, bound to storm, doom, and the final breaking of the world.

Associated With

Sea, fate, encirclement, storms, Ragnarok

Atmosphere

In the northern waters, the serpent circles the edge of fate itself.

Print Museum CardJormungandr illustration

Name

Jormungandr

Norse

Region

North Atlantic & Scandinavia

Viking Age myth recorded in medieval Iceland

Atlas Context

This entry is part of Where Dragons Dwell, an interactive atlas of dragon myths and sacred serpent traditions across world cultures.

Sources & Further Reading

Every reference below was verified against a live URL or a standard published edition. Primary texts and foundational ethnographic records are marked primary; modern academic studies and museum resources follow.

  • The Prose Edda (Gylfaginning), trans. A. G. Brodeur

    Primary

    Snorri Sturluson · c. 1220 (trans. 1916)

    The main medieval Icelandic account of the Midgard Serpent: Loki's offspring, Thor's fishing trip, and Ragnarök.

  • The Poetic Edda, trans. H. A. Bellows

    Primary

    Anonymous (Codex Regius) · 13th c. MS (trans. 1936)

    Völuspá and Hymiskviða preserve the oldest poetic references to the world-serpent and its fatal duel with Thor.

  • Norse Mythology: A Guide to Gods, Heroes, Rituals, and Beliefs

    Scholarship

    John Lindow · 2001

    Oxford University Press reference work with a dedicated entry on Jörmungandr.