This vast stretch of ice came ever closer to fiery Muspelheim until eventually, the ice began to melt. Throughout the eons the rivers of Niflheim poured into the abyss, slowly filling Ginnungagap, and forming an endless plain of ice. Elivagar and gjol flow out into the abyss The spring itself is the source of all life, and so it is the place to which all life will ultimately return at the end of ages. The mouth of Helheim is said to be nearby as the dragon also acts as sentry here, preventing the dead from leaving their home to enter the worlds of the living. Nidhogg the dragon as well as a whole host of other serpents, lies next to the spring, guarding it.

These twelve streams later conjoin together to form the rivers Elivagar and Gjol. The spring Hvergelmer, ‘bubbling, boiling spring’, runs through Niflheim, dividing itself into twelve icy streams. It is a place of darkness, opposite in everything to Muspelheim to the south. Niflheim, ‘mist-home’, ‘mist-world’, also called Niflhel, is an endless expanse of frost, ice, snow, and mist that lies to the north of Ginnungagap. Niflheim – Realm of Frost, Ice, Snow, and Mist. The final abode of all the dead, save for those chosen to sit in Odin’s hall of Valhalla and Freya’s bright hall of Folkvangr.ġ. Nidavellir – Home of dwarves and Svartalfheim – home of the dark elves, lie beneath the surface of Midgard.

Midgard – Home to mortal humans, positioned between Jotunheim and Asgard.Vanaheim – Home of the Vanir tribe of gods.Asgard – Home of the Aesir tribe of gods and source of the Bifrost rainbow bridge.Surt, who will one day set fire to the world tree, dwells here. Muspelheim – A place of fire and home to the fire giants.The spring Hvergelmer, which gives rise to the rivers Elivagar and Gjoll, is located here. Niflheim – A place of frost, ice, snow, and mist.

All nine norse realms