3<\/span> Odin wins the runes<\/h3>\n<\/div>
During the pagan era, Odin was respected as the mysterious and omniscient god of war, wisdom, death and fate. Sacrifices were often made to him, particularly in times of conflict. He was also feared, particularly because he sometimes travelled through the human world in disguise, meddling in people\u2019s affairs or changing the course of battles.<\/p>\n
This brief and exquisitely mystical story links Odin to the Vikings\u2019 only form of writing during the pagan era \u2013 by carving rune-letters into wood, stone, metal or bone. The myth appears in 25 cryptic verses of a poem called Havamal <\/em>(\u2018The Sayings of the High One\u2019), possibly dating back to the ninth century.<\/p>\nUsually claimed to be in Odin\u2019s own words, it describes him sacrificing \u201chimself to himself\u201d by hanging upside-down on a lonely tree for nine nights. Finally, he has a vision of the runes, alongside the secrets of many esoteric spells.<\/p>\n
Most surviving Viking stories are very down to earth, but this one demonstrates that the old pagan religion had a highly mystical and spiritual side.<\/p>\n
On the podcast: Professor Carolyne Larrington explores the legendary stories and figures of Viking mythology, from one-eyed Odin to hammer-wielding Thor<\/strong><\/p>\n