At Ragnarök, the apocalyptic final battle in Norse mythology, the forces of order (the gods) fight against the forces of chaos (giants, monsters, and the dead).
Major Gods & Their Roles in Ragnarök
Here’s how the sides break down:
The Forces of the Gods (Æsir & Allies)
These gods fight to defend the cosmos from destruction.
Odin – The Allfather
Leads the Æsir gods into battle against the giants and Loki’s forces.
Faces Fenrir, the monstrous wolf.
Is devoured by Fenrir.
Thor – God of Thunder
Battles Jörmungandr, the World Serpent.
Kills Jörmungandr, but dies moments later from its poison.
Heimdall – The Watchman of the Gods
Blows his Gjallarhorn to signal Ragnarök.
Fights Loki, and they kill each other.
Tyr – God of War
Fights the giant wolf Garm, guardian of Hel’s realm.
Both die in battle.
Freyr – God of Fertility & Peace
Battles the fire giant Surtr.
Dies because he lacks his sword, which he had given away earlier.
Vidar – Son of Odin
Avenges Odin by killing Fenrir with his mighty boot.
Survives the destruction and helps rebuild the world.
Vali – Son of Odin
Survives and helps rebuild the world.
Baldr – The Shining God
Returns after Ragnarök to rule in the new world.
Höðr
Return after Ragnarök to rule the new world.
The Forces of Chaos (Loki’s Army & Giants)
These forces seek to destroy the gods and bring about the end of the world.
Loki – The Trickster
Sides with the giants and leads them into battle.
Fights and kills Heimdall, but dies in the process.
Fenrir – The Giant Wolf
Breaks free from his chains.
Devours Odin, but is later killed by Vidar, Odin’s son.
Jörmungandr – The World Serpent
Emerges from the sea, poisoning the skies.
Battles Thor, who kills it, but its venom kills Thor in return.
Surtr – The Fire Giant
Leads the giants into battle.
Sets the world ablaze with his flaming sword, ending Ragnarök.
Garm
The monstrous wolf of Hel, fights Tyr (both die).
The Jotnar (Giants)
A chaotic force fighting for destruction.
The Dead from Hel’s Realm
Led by Loki, joining the battle.
Who Survives?
After the battle, only a few beings remain:
Vidar & Vali – Odin’s sons, survive and rebuild the world.
Baldr & Höðr – Return from the underworld to rule the new world.
A new world rises – The cycle of creation begins again.
