Yggdrasil

alternative Yggdrasill · alternative Ygdrasil

1. The cosmic axis of Norse mythology, conceptualized as a living ash tree that structures, connects, and sustains the universe and its various realms or worlds.

   1996, Carolyne Larrington (editor and translator), The Seeress's Prophecy, The Poetic Edda, page 6, I know that an ash-tree stands called Yggdrasill, a high tree, soaked with shining loam; from there come the dews which fall in the valley, ever green, it stands over the well of fate.

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   Yet it is not easy to pluck out the heart of its mystery; and the descriptions of certain ancient representatives of Yggdrasil do not lessen the difficulty.

   1863, The London Quarterly Review, volumes 113-114, page 117

   The same is true of others of the gods; in the old Norse mythology Ygdrasil was the great branching World-Ash, abode of the soul of the universe; the Peepul or Bo-tree in India is very sacred and must on no account be cut down, seeing that gods and spirits dwell among its branches.

   1920, Edward Carpenter, Pagan and Christian Creeds, New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., published 1921, page 79

   With nostrils and legs akimbo, she towered over him like some human Yggdrasill, blotting out the sun.

   1963, Spike Milligan, chapter 1, in Puckoon, page 1

   In Norse mythology, for example, the World Tree, or Yggdrasil, connected the nine existences that straddled the worlds of gods and men with its mighty roots. Yggdrasil was reputedly a gigantic ash tree (and was the central feature of Norse cosmology), around the base of which the serpent Níôhöggr had twisted its body.

   2007, Bob Curran, Ian Daniels, Walking with the Green Man: Father of the Forest, Spirit of Nature, page 66

   “Yggdrasil!” Gudbjartur's voice was filled with awe. “It is Yggdrasil, the world-tree!” He looked at Halfdan, his eyes wide. “The Sacred Grove is here in this land!”

   2007, J. A. Hunsinger, The Settlers: An Axe of Iron Novel, page 333