Odin’s origin is unclear, we do know that a version of the deity we call Odin has existed for thousands of years and has been called many different names. Wotan is associated with the Latin term furor which means fury. In Old English, the god is called Woden, in old dutch Wuodan, in old Saxon Odin is known as Wōdan, and in old high German the god is known as Wuotan.

From the original name Wōđanaz, there have been many derivatives across several languages, all of which are used to refer to the god we call Odin. The name Odin is derived from the Proto-Germanic name Wōđanaz, meaning Lord of frenzy or leader of the possessed. Odin is a god with many names with the chief of the Aesir being referred to by over 170 names, therefore, making him the god with the most known names to the Germanic peoples. Óðinn translates to the master of ecstasy. The name Odin or Óðinn is an Old Norse name for the chief of the gods. The polytheistic religion was practiced by the nordic and Germanic people. The Old Norse religion is also referred to as Germanic paganism. Scandinavia refers to the countries of Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, and Norway. Odin and the Norse gods were and still are, worshiped by Germanic peoples of Northern Europe called Scandinavia. Odin is the chief of the Aesir gods found within Norse mythology. Sometimes referred to as the raven god because he possessed several familiars, two ravens called Hugin and Munin, and two wolves whose names are Geri and Freki. As the god of nobility and sovereignty, it was not just warriors who worshiped Odin, but all those who wished to join the ranks of the elite in ancient Germanic society. In addition, Odin is the patron of nobility and is therefore believed to be the ancestor of the most ancient kings. To the Germanic peoples, the All-father decided who would be victorious and who would perish, including what the outcome of the battle would be.

Odin is described as traveling through many realms or worlds, winning every battle.Īs a war god, Odin was called upon to offer advice before any battle or war was started. As a war god, Odin is the god of battle and death.

Odin is also a war god and has been since his earliest mentions. In Norse mythology, Odin is the god of wisdom, knowledge, poetry, runes, ecstasy, and magic.

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