| “ | I know that I hung from the windy tree for nine long nights, stabbed with a spear, as an offering to the god Odin, myself to mine own self given, upon that tree the wisest know not from whence spring that ancient root | ” |
– Odin, Hávamál | ||
Odin (Old Norse "The Furious One") is the chief Viking god and the ruler of Asgard, who sacrificed his eye to acquire knowledge and wisdom. Ragnar Lothbrok, who claims to be descended from Odin, often has visions of him and his ravens, appearances which Ragnar interprets as different signs. In the show, as often in Norse Mythology, Odin appears to humans as an old, ghastly wanderer. He is said to reside in Valhalla.
In Vikings
Odin makes his first appearance in the first scene of season 1. Ragnar Lothbrok observes as Odin and his valkyries select which warriors who will be taken to Valhalla. In the blink of an eye, he is gone as if he was never there. Later in episode 1, Ragnar again sees him.
Earl Haraldson prays to Odin the night before his duel with Ragnar. Odin is one of the gods sacrificed to at the temple of Uppsala. In season 2, Ragnar makes Bjorn perform a human sacrifice of a captured enemy to Odin as a token of gratitude for the victory in the Battle for Kattegat.
Haraldson dispairs over Odin's silence.
In season 3, the stranger Harbard, is believed by Floki to be Odin in disguise. At the Siege of Paris, Ragnar has fever dreams involving Odin and Jesus.
Starting with season 4, Odin replaces Hel in the opening credits.
In All His Angels, Odin is show traveling in a ship towards Kattegat, surrounded by dozens of ravens. In Crossings Odin appears to each of Ragnar's sons and informs them of Ragnar's death and the manner of it.
Gallery
Mythology
The god of war, death, fury, ecstasy, wisdom, kings, warriors, poets, berserkers, and outsiders, Odin governs over victory, death, knowledge and ecstatic inspiration.
Odin is often called "All-father", because he took part in both the creation of the world and the creation of humans. He is also called "Val-father" (Deathfather/Father of the slain). He gave one eye to attain wisdom, after drinking from the well of the wise giant, Mimir. His two ravens, Hugin & Munin, fly from Asgard every morning and return every evening with news of Midgard, Giants and other events. His two ferocious wolves Geri & Freki accompany him sometimes and he has an eight-legged horse called Sleipnir that can travel very quickly over the nine worlds.
One of his frequent habits was to roam around Midgard in human guise, seducing and impregnating women, which was convenient for bastards, as they would often claim Odin as their father.
He is the son of Borr and Bestla, and the father to the gods Thor, Baldr, Vidar, Heimdallr, Höðr, Bragi, Váli, Hermóðr, foster father of Týr and blood brother to Loki. His consort is Frigg, but he has a friðla (an official concubine) in Skadi, Fjorgyn, and Rind.
Statue of Odin in Uppsala
Names
Odin has over 200 names. In ancient times, he was known as Wodanaz. In Germany, he was known as Wotan, Wodden in Saxony and Frisiia, and Wōden in England. All these names and Odin translates to "the furious". Other titles include "All-father", "Valfather" ("father of the slain"), "One-Eye", and "Dragugadrottir" ("Lord of the Undead").
Trivia
- Writer Michael Hirst confirms Andre Eriksen's character is Odin: [1] + [2]. The character will appear in upcoming episode(s): [promo].
- Irish actor Eddie Drew plays Odin in season 1 and 3 and portrays him in the opening credits. Norweigan actor and musician Andre Eriksen plays Odin in season 4.
Appearances
| Season One Appearances | ||||
| Rites of Passage | Wrath of the Northmen | Dispossessed | ||
| Trial | Raid | Burial of the Dead | ||
| A King's Ransom | Sacrifice | All Change | ||
| Season three appearances | ||||
| Mercenary | The Wanderer | Warrior's Fate | Scarred | The Usurper |
| Born Again | Paris | To the Gates! | Breaking Point | The Dead |
| Season four appearances | ||||
| A Good Treason | Kill the Queen | Mercy | Yol | Promised |
| What Might Have Been | The Profit and the Loss | Portage | Death All 'Round | The Last Ship |
| The Outsider | The Vision | Two Journeys | In the Uncertain Hour Before the Morning | All His Angels |
| Crossings | The Great Army | Revenge | On the Eve | The Reckoning |