Odin— Norse God"Allfather"

The Allfather

Odin is the supreme deity of Norse mythology, king of the Æsir gods and ruler of Asgard. Yet unlike many chief gods, Odin is not primarily a warrior or thunderer—he is a seeker of wisdom, a wanderer in disguise, and a god of paradoxes: both creator and destroyer, giver of victory and taker of the slain.

The Sacrifice for Wisdom

Odin's pursuit of knowledge knew no bounds. He sacrificed one of his eyes at Mímir's Well to drink from its waters of wisdom. But his greatest sacrifice came at Yggdrasil, the World Tree, where he hung himself for nine nights, pierced by his own spear, without food or water. At the end of this ordeal, he glimpsed the runes—the magical symbols of power—and seized them with a scream, gaining mastery over magic and fate itself.

The Wanderer

Odin often travels the Nine Worlds in disguise, appearing as an old man in a wide-brimmed hat and grey cloak, calling himself Grimnir, Gangleri, or dozens of other names. He tests mortals and seeks knowledge, accompanied by his two ravens Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory) who fly across the world each day and whisper what they've seen into his ears.

Lord of Valhalla

As god of war and death, Odin presides over Valhalla, the hall of the slain. His Valkyries ride over battlefields choosing the bravest warriors who fall in combat, bringing them to Valhalla where they feast and fight each day, preparing for Ragnarök. Odin needs this army of einherjar because he knows what the future holds.

Ragnarök and Fate

Despite his wisdom, Odin cannot escape his fate. He knows that at Ragnarök he will face the monstrous wolf Fenrir and be devoured. This foreknowledge haunts him, driving his endless quest for more warriors, more knowledge, more power—all ultimately futile against the doom he has foreseen. His son Víðarr will avenge him by killing Fenrir, but Odin himself is doomed.

Worship and Legacy

Odin was particularly revered by warriors and kings, poets and sorcerers. Wednesday (Odin's Day/Woden's Day) is named after him. He inspired the image of the wise wizard—Tolkien's Gandalf owes much to the Wanderer—and remains one of mythology's most complex and fascinating figures.