Odin and Sleipnir depicted on a monument from about the 9th century in Gotland
There was a significant importance for horses in Germanic paganism, with them being venerated in a continuous tradition among the Germanic peoples from the Nordic Bronze Age until their Christianisation. They featured in a number of diverse and interrelated religious practices, being one of the most common animals sacrificed in blóts and found in graves, notably in examples such as at Sutton Hoo and the Oseberg ship. During the establishment of the church in Northern Europe, horsemeat shifted from being holy to taboo, with the eating of it being made a punishable offence and a recurring identifier of "savages" in saga literature.
The role of horses in religious practice is mirrored in extant Germanic mythology and legend, with the actions of both heroes and gods reflecting historical and archaeological records. Beyond this, horses further have a central role in mythical and legendary narratives frequently carrying their rider between worlds and through the air.
and 17 Related for: Horses in Germanic paganism information
significant importance for horsesinGermanicpaganism, with them being venerated in a continuous tradition among the Germanic peoples from the Nordic Bronze...
numbers inGermanicpaganism. Both numbers (and multiples thereof) appear throughout surviving attestations of ancient Germanic folklore, in both mythology...
Germanicpaganism or Germanic religion refers to the traditional, culturally significant religion of the Germanic peoples. With a chronological range...
guardian spirit. Horsein Chinese mythology Horse symbolism HorsesinGermanicpaganismHorse sacrifice Horse worship List of fictional horses Sun mythology...
pagan religion of the Germanic tribal confederation of the Franks has been traced from its roots in polytheistic Germanicpaganism through to the incorporation...
A prominent position was held by wetlands and islands inGermanicpaganism, as in other pagan European cultures, featuring as sites of religious practice...
also known as Norse paganism, is a branch of Germanic religion which developed during the Proto-Norse period, when the North Germanic peoples separated...
Gulltoppr serves as the first phase of the boss fight. HorsesinGermanicpaganism List of horsesin mythology and folklore Simek (2007:122). Simek, Rudolf...
inGermanicpaganism and Germanic mythology, both as individuals (sacred trees) and in groups (sacred groves). The central role of trees inGermanic religion...
However, in both poems, Gyllir is not assigned to any specific deity. Gyllir is also found in the thulur as a jötunn name. HorsesinGermanicpaganism List...
mythical brother deities, associated with horsesHorsesinGermanicpaganism, wider importance of horsesin early Germanic cultures Saxon Steed, a heraldic motif...
Rome. The Germanic peoples eventually overwhelmed the Western Roman Empire, which by the Middle Ages facilitated their conversion from paganism to Christianity...
disruptive to the neighborhood. Ceremonial pole Hoodening Horse sacrifice HorsesinGermanicpaganism Nīþ Mallet, Paul Henri (1847), Northern Antiquities:...
throughout Germania. Germanic-speaking peoples originally shared similar religious practices. Denoted by the term Germanicpaganism, they varied throughout...
A heathen hof or Germanic pagan temple is a temple building of Germanic religion. The term hof is taken from Old Norse. Etymologically, the Old Norse word...
the end of the Viking Age in the 11th century, the North Germanic peoples were converted from their native Norse paganism to Christianity, while their...
Global Information