Huginn and Muninn! Those are the two ravens from Norse mythology, often associated with Odin, the Allfather. Huginn translates to “thought,” and Muninn to “memory” or “mind.” According to the myths, Odin sends these intelligent birds out each day to gather information about the world and report back to him. It’s a fascinating aspect of Norse mythology.
Huginn and Muninn are mainly known for their role as Odin’s loyal messengers, traveling the world and bringing back information to him. They appear in various myths and sagas. Here are a couple of instances where they are mentioned:
Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson: In the Prose Edda, a collection of Old Norse myths compiled by Snorri Sturluson, Huginn and Muninn are mentioned in Odin’s quest for knowledge. Odin is said to have sacrificed one of his eyes at Mímir’s well in exchange for wisdom. The ravens, as his trusted companions, continue to aid him by providing information from their travels.
Poetic Edda – Grímnismál: The Grímnismál, one of the poems in the Poetic Edda, describes Odin’s hall, Valhalla. It mentions Huginn and Muninn as flying around the world during the day and returning to Odin in the evening. This reinforces their role as messengers and gatherers of information for the Allfather.
Huginn (Thought) and Muninn (Memory) also come up in the sagas.
Here’s a passage from the Poetic Edda, in the Grímnismál
“High on his watchtower, the god
sat silent, surveying all;
the whole world held its breath,
and the birds grew hushed.
Only the ravens could speak,
as they flitted to and fro,
whispering into Odin’s ear
all they had seen.”
