16 Norse Monsters & Mythological Creatures in Viking Mythology

From colossal sea monsters lurking beneath the waves to terrifying giants that threaten the gods themselves, Norse folklore is brimming with creatures both awe-inspiring and fearsome. If you’ve ever wondered about the most powerful and terrifying beasts of Viking mythology, this guide will introduce you to some of the most fascinating Norse monsters and mythological creatures.

Each of these beings played a unique role in Norse legend, shaping the stories that the Vikings passed down through generations. Some were seen as omens of doom, while others symbolised the raw power of nature. Let’s explore the creatures that filled the ancient Scandinavian world with both wonder and terror.

Jump to:

Jörmungandr plays a significant role in Ragnarok, the end of days in Norse mythology. It’s destined to battle Thor, the god of thunder, in a fight that will ultimately lead to both their deaths. The sighting of Jörmungandr rising from the sea was believed to be a warning that Ragnarok was approaching.

Fenrir, another of Loki’s children, was no ordinary wolf. He was a creature of immense size and strength, feared even by the gods. The Norse gods attempted to bind him with various chains, but Fenrir broke through each one until they tricked him into wearing a magical ribbon called Gleipnir.

Despite being restrained, Fenrir’s legend didn’t end there. During Ragnarok, he is foretold to break free and devour Odin himself before being slain by Odin’s son, Víðarr. His story represents the inescapable fate that plays a key role in Viking mythology.

The mythological Kraken is one of the most well-known Viking sea monsters. In Norse mythology, the Kraken was said to be an enormous, tentacled creature that could drag entire ships beneath the waves. Some versions of the legend describe it as being so large that sailors mistook its back for an island.

Though the Kraken myth later became more widely known through Scandinavian folklore, its origins likely stem from Viking seafarers’ encounters with giant squids. The Kraken mythology continues to capture the imagination, appearing in countless stories and films today.

Similar to the Kraken, Hafgufa was a Viking sea monster said to lurk in the deep waters off the coast of Scandinavia. Unlike the Kraken, which attacked ships, Hafgufa was believed to use deception. Legends tell of Hafgufa opening its enormous mouth and allowing fish to swim inside before snapping it shut.

Viking sailors feared this monstrous creature, as it was believed to create dangerous whirlpools capable of dragging ships to their doom. While Hafgufa is less well-known than the Kraken, its legend adds to the rich tradition of creatures in Viking mythology.

Níðhöggr is a terrifying Norse monster that lives at the base of Yggdrasil, the great World Tree. This dragon-like being gnaws at the roots of the tree, slowly wearing it down over time. It is often associated with death, chaos, and destruction.

In some stories, Níðhöggr feasts on the corpses of the dishonoured dead, adding to its ominous reputation. It plays a role in Ragnarok, representing the forces of decay and ruin that threaten to bring an end to the world.

The Draugr were Viking-era ghouls—undead beings that rose from their graves to terrorise the living. Unlike modern depictions of zombies, Draugr were often incredibly strong, able to shape-shift, and had supernatural powers.

These mythological creatures were said to guard their treasure, attacking those who disturbed them. Some legends suggest they could enter people’s dreams or haunt specific locations, making them some of the most feared beings in Norse folklore.

According to Norse mythology, two giant wolves, Sköll and Hati, chase the sun and moon across the sky. It was believed that during Ragnarok, these wolves would finally catch their prey, plunging the world into darkness.

Their story symbolises the eternal cycle of time and the idea that even the celestial bodies are not immune to destruction. Many ancient Norse myths were deeply tied to nature, and Sköll and Hati’s chase helped explain the movement of the sun and moon.

Unlike the monstrous creatures mentioned earlier, Gullinbursti was a more benevolent Norse animal. This mythical Viking creature was a golden boar created by dwarves as a gift for the god Freyr.

Gullinbursti was said to run faster than any horse and glow so brightly that it could light up even the darkest places. Though not a fearsome beast, its presence in Viking myths highlights the role of animals in Norse symbolism.

The Huldra is a Norse female monster that appears as a beautiful woman with a hidden secret—she has a hollow back or a tail, revealing her supernatural nature. She was believed to lure men into the woods, where she would either seduce or destroy them, depending on how they treated her.

Huldra stories were common in Scandinavian folklore, often serving as cautionary tales about the dangers of wandering into the wilderness alone.

Hræsvelgr is a frost giant who takes the form of an enormous eagle. His wings are so powerful that they create the winds that sweep across the world.

This mythical being is not necessarily evil, but his control over the weather made him a figure of respect and fear. He is rarely mentioned in Viking myths, but his influence was believed to be felt whenever a storm rolled in.

Fafnir was once a dwarf but was transformed into a monstrous dragon due to his insatiable greed. He was originally the son of the powerful dwarf king Hreidmar, but after stealing a cursed treasure, he was warped into a fearsome, fire-breathing beast.

Fafnir hoarded his gold and became one of the most infamous dragons in Norse mythology. Eventually, he was slain by the hero Sigurd, who gained wisdom from drinking Fafnir’s blood. 

The Mare (or Mára) was a supernatural being in Scandinavian myth that would torment people as they slept, sitting on their chests and causing terrifying nightmares. Some stories claim that the Mare was a spirit or an undead woman, while others suggest it was a shapeshifter capable of slipping into homes unseen.

This eerie Norse monster is where the word ‘nightmare’ originates from. It was said that those cursed by a Mare would wake up feeling exhausted, as if they had been drained of their energy overnight.

The Jotnar, or giants, were some of the most powerful beings in Norse mythology. They were not all evil, but many were in conflict with the gods of Asgard. These enormous creatures were associated with chaos, wild nature, and destruction.

Some of the most famous Jotnar include Ymir, the first giant from whose body the world was created, and Surtr, the fire giant destined to lead the destruction of the gods during Ragnarok. The Jotnar were seen as the natural opposition to the gods, embodying the forces of destruction that would one day bring the end of the world.

Lyngbakr was another Viking sea monster feared by sailors. Unlike the Kraken or Hafgufa, which were actively aggressive, Lyngbakr used trickery to trap unsuspecting ships. This massive creature disguised itself as a small island, luring sailors to land on its back before suddenly submerging, drowning all aboard.

Lyngbakr appeared in the Örvar-Oddr saga, a legendary Icelandic story, where it was described as one of the most cunning and dangerous beasts of the sea.

Trolls are among the most well-known Scandinavian mythological creatures. These enormous, slow-witted beings lived in caves and mountains, far away from human civilisation. While some were merely reclusive, others were hostile and would attack travellers who ventured too close to their territory.

Legends say that trolls turned to stone if exposed to sunlight, which is why some Viking myths explained unusual rock formations as the remains of petrified trolls. Even today, trolls remain an important part of Scandinavian folklore.

Hel is not a monster in the traditional sense, but she is a fearsome and powerful being in Viking mythology. She is the daughter of Loki and the ruler of Helheim, the realm of the dead. Half of her body is living, while the other half is rotting like a corpse, symbolising her connection to both life and death.

Hel governs over those who die of illness, old age, or anything other than a heroic battle. Unlike the halls of Valhalla, where warriors feast for eternity, Helheim is often described as a cold and dark place. Hel is an intimidating figure, and her presence in mythology highlights the Viking belief in the afterlife and the inevitable fate of all who do not die in battle.

In Norse mythology, monsters and mythical creatures are often referred to as jötnar (giants), dýr (beasts), or vættir (spirits). Some specific beings, such as draugr (undead warriors) and maras (nightmare spirits), also have unique names based on their nature and abilities.

Not all Norse creatures were evil. While many, like Fenrir and Níðhöggr, were seen as destructive forces, others, like Gullinbursti and Ratatoskr (a mischievous squirrel in Yggdrasil), played different roles in mythology. Some creatures were neutral or even helpful, depending on their interaction with the gods and humans.

Many would argue that Jörmungandr, Fenrir, or Níðhöggr are the most powerful Norse monsters, as they play key roles in Ragnarok and pose serious threats to the gods. However, the Kraken and Hafgufa also held a terrifying presence for Viking sailors who relied on the sea for survival.

Fenrir was one of the most feared creatures in Norse legend because he was destined to kill Odin, the Allfather of the gods. However, the Draugr were also terrifying, as they represented a fate worse than death—being trapped in an undead state with unfinished business.

Some of the rarest creatures in Norse mythology are those that are only mentioned briefly in ancient texts. One such example is Lyngbakr, the deceptive sea creature that disguises itself as an island. Another rare mention is the Nøkk, a water spirit that lures people into lakes and rivers.

Many Norse monsters likely originated from real-world encounters with animals. The Kraken myth, for instance, may have stemmed from sightings of giant squids, while stories of Fafnir, the dragon, may have been influenced by fossil discoveries or exaggerated tales of large reptiles.

The Vikings lived in a world where the natural environment was harsh and unpredictable. They often explained natural disasters, strange occurrences, and unexplained deaths through mythology. While some creatures, like the Kraken, may have been seen as real threats, others served more as symbolic representations of chaos, destruction, or fate.

Some creatures, like Gullinbursti, were seen as positive symbols. Other protective beings include the Disir, female spirits believed to watch over families and warriors, and Landvættir, guardian spirits of specific places.

Many Norse creatures share similarities with monsters from other mythologies. The Draugr, for example, is similar to undead beings from Celtic and Slavic folklore. Jörmungandr, the world serpent, has parallels with the Midgard serpent in Germanic myths and the world serpent concept in Hindu mythology.

Ragnarok, the prophesied end of the world, plays a central role in Norse mythology. Many creatures, such as Fenrir, Jörmungandr, and Níðhöggr, are tied to this apocalyptic event. Their purpose in the myths is to bring destruction and chaos, ultimately shaping the fate of the gods and the world.

Trolls remain a popular part of Scandinavian folklore, and the Kraken continues to appear in literature, films, and legends. Some elements of Viking mythology also influenced modern fantasy stories, from video games to television series.

If you’re fascinated by the monsters and creatures in Norse mythology, why not take your knowledge further? At Centre of Excellence, you can enrol in the Norse Mythology Diploma Course for just £29! Learn about the gods, myths, and legends in greater depth and explore the rich history of the Vikings.