In addition, the birds were considered wise and intelligent, again another association with Odin. Their names indicate that they symbolized thought and memory.īecause of their presence on battlefields as carrion birds, the ravens’ association with wars, death and bloodshed perfectly complemented Odin’s role as the god of war. Symbols and Symbolism of Hugin and MuninĪs both intelligent and bloodthirsty, ravens were the perfect companions of Odin. They didn’t simply do his bidding, they were an extra set of spiritual limbs for the Allfather – parts of his very soul and self. They were his eyes where he couldn’t go and his companions when he was lonely. Like the Valkyries who brought the fallen heroes to Valhalla, Hugin and Munin were integral aspects of Odin’s being and not just his servants.

What’s often ignored about the two ravens is that they weren’t exactly their own separate beings – they were extensions of Odin himself. Munin’s name was also sometimes invoked in such a manner but Hugin was definitely the more “famous” of the pair. Wars or battles were also sometimes called Hugin’s feast. Warriors were also sometimes called The reddener of Hugin’s claws or the reddener of Hugin’s bill. In fact, in some poems, blood is described as Hugin’s sea or Hugin’s drink. The Allfather god is often portrayed in modern culture and media as wise and peaceful, but the Odin of Norse legends was bloodthirsty, savage, and unscrupulous – and a pair of ravens worked very well with that image. Sacrificing an enemy to ravens was seen as a gift or offering to the birds. Ravens are scavenger birds, that feed on dead matter. Ravens are known not only for their intelligence but also for their presence over battles and fields of death, and Hugin and Munin are no exception. Ravens have common associations throughout Norse myths – war, death battles, and bloodshed. In turn, it promotes Odin’s image as a god of wisdom and knowledge. Their role of acting as Odin’s eyes, by flying around the world and bringing back accurate information for Odin, emphasizes their intelligence. The two ravens are depicted as complex, intellectual and wise. Odin highly valued the ravens and was often worried that they wouldn’t return from their trips. The poem details how Odin lets his two ravens roam the world each morning and returning to him by breakfast to report on what was happening across Midgard. One such example is the Eddic poem Grímnismál where Odin says: In fact, many poems and legends specifically name Odin as the Raven-god or Raven-tempter (Hrafnaguð or Hrafnáss). So, it’s not at all surprising that the Allfather god Odin, himself often associated with wisdom and knowledge, was often accompanied by two ravens.

Even though the ancient Norse people didn’t have the sophisticated research we do today, they were still aware of these black birds’ intelligence. Today, it’s well known that ravens are among the most intelligent animals on the planet. Their names roughly translate from Old Norse as Thought and Memory (intellectual thought – hugr, and emotional thought, desire, and emotion – muninn). Hugin and Munin are the two black ravens most commonly associated with the wise but also war-frenzied god Odin. Odin’s ravens, known as Hugin and Munin (pronounced HOO-gin and MOO-nin and also spelled Huginn and Muninn), were his constant companions who would fly around the world and report back on what they had seen. The Allfather god Odin is typically depicted with a pair of ravens on his shoulders.

Importance of Hugin and Munin in Modern Culture.

Symbols and Symbolism of Hugin and Munin.

Hugin and munin meaning