How A Giant Birthed the World
My introduction to trolls as a child, came from playful moments with my mom’s side of the family. Different members of the family would lumber down the hall yelling out, “Fe Fi Fo Fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman.” We children squealed with delight and hid behind curtains, and under desks from the mean ole’ troll coming to eat us. It was wonderful fun.
Later, I read about trolls and their pea-sized brains in The Hobbit and their “boogies” in Harry Potter. But never had I heard the mythic Norwegian story of how trolls gave birth to the world. Not until my very first guest, Lise Lunge-Larsen told me the incredible myth on episode 1.
Norse Creation Story: How Trolls Gave Birth to the World
The Norse creation myth begins with a Giant, a frost giant named Ymir; the father of all the giants who came about when fire and ice first collided. The Norse gods, Odin and his brothers killed the primeval being and from his body parts fashioned the Earth from his flesh. It is said that from his blood came the oceans and the rivers, from his bones the mountains, from his hair the trees, from his brains the clouds, from his skull the skies and the heavens. And from his eyebrows the middle realm in which mankind lives, Midgard, also called Middle Earth. But before his death, the race of trolls were birthed from his armpits and in between his toes.
“Norse mythology which is the religion of the Vikings and the very first thing when the world came into being the first thing that rose out of this huge gap was a Frost Giant. And it was this enormous huge creature. And then out of his armpit and from between his toes came the race of the trolls. And the first one was an enormous group, it had six heads and he had six arms three on each side and it was ferocious. And ever since that time you know Norway has been peopled by trolls. The humans came much later. So the first thing Ymir, it’s a long story about Ymir, who then was later slain by the gods. And then they took Ymir’s body and they used this skull to create the Dome of the sky and they took his blood and turned it into water and lakes and oceans and his hair became the trees and the grass and his bones became rocks and boulders and his teeth and his brains became the clouds. So really when you’re walking around in Norway you are walking on dead trolls. Because when the sun shines on the troll they’re returned to the landscape when they die. When the Sun shines on the troll he explodes or he just turns he turns to rock.”
Lise Lunge-Larsen (episode 1).
The Earth’s rugged landscapes were formed from where sunlight touched a troll turning them into stone. Which preserved their legacy in the ground we walk upon daily. These petrified trolls can still be seen today in the form of rugged cliffs and peculiar rock formations, serving as a constant reminder of their mythical past.
Geography and Trolls
The geography of Norway is deeply intertwined with its troll folklore. The towering mountains, lush forests, and winding fjords provide the perfect backdrop for the tales of trolls’ mystical escapades. Every towering peak and hidden valley seems to hold a story of trolls playing tricks, lurking in the shadows, or shaping the very land they inhabit
These traces of trolls can be seen not only in the stone, but in the names of places. The stunning terrain of Norway is bespeckled with parks and mountains named for its infamous trolls. The Dovrefjell mountain range, for instance, is home to some of Norway’s most famous trolls, including Dovregubben. Dovregubben is the king of trolls in Norwegian fairy tales and folklore.
Trolls in Contemporary Norwegian Culture
While the belief in trolls as real creatures has waned over the centuries, their presence continues to be felt in Norway’s cultural landscape. Trolls have found their way into literature, art, and even tourism. Local craftspeople create intricate troll figurines, while authors weave troll-inspired narratives into their works, keeping the spirit of these creatures alive.
Norwegian festivals and celebrations often feature troll-themed events, allowing both locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the fantastical world of these mythical beings. This serves as a testament to the enduring power of these stories to capture the imagination and foster a sense of collective identity.
“When these stories were published (by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe, the two Norwegian oral storytelling collectors) it was just like this visceral thing in the country. It’s like this is who we are. This is who we are that’s not Swedish and not Danish. These folktales with the wry sense of humor with this giant trolls that were such a foil for all things evil and dark and humans are plucky. All of this sort of were felt to be the essence of the Norwegian different from the other Scandinavian countries. So they became so they they became so important when they were first published.”
Lise Lunge-Larsen (episode 1)
Conclusion
The folklore of Norwegian trolls is more than just tales of supernatural creatures; it is a reflection of the deep connections between the land, its people, and their history. These myths have sculpted the landscape, influenced politics, and continue to play a significant role in contemporary culture. The stories of trolls stand as a bridge between the past and the present, reminding us of the enduring power of storytelling and its ability to shape the essence of a nation. As long as the cliffs and forests of Norway endure, so too will the legends of trolls that have shaped them.
What Troll stories do you know? Comment down below all your troll thoughts!