Hugin and Munin – Odin’s Ravens Odin’s
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The Allfather god Odin is typically depicted with a pair of ravens on his shoulders. 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.
Who are Hugin and Munin?
Hugin and Munin are the two black ravens most commonly associated with the wise but also war-frenzied god Odin. Their names roughly translate from Old Norse as Thought and Memory (intellectual thought – hugr, and emotional thought, desire, and emotion – muninn).
Hugin and Munin as Birds of Wisdom
Today, it’s well known that ravens are among the most intelligent animals on the planet. Even though the ancient Norse people didn’t have the sophisticated research we do today, they were still aware of these black birds’ intelligence.
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. In fact, many poems and legends specifically name Odin as the Raven-god or Raven-tempter (Hrafnaguð or Hrafnáss).
One such example is the Eddic poem Grímnismál where Odin says:
Hugin and Munin
Fly every day
Over all the world;
I worry for Hugin
That he might not return,
But I worry more for Munin
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. Odin highly valued the ravens and was often worried that they wouldn’t return from their trips.
The two ravens are depicted as complex, intellectual and wise. Their role of acting as Odin’s eyes, by flying around the world and bringing back accurate information for Odin, emphasizes their intelligence. In turn, it promotes Odin’s image as a god of wisdom and knowledge.
Hugin and Munin as Birds of War
Ravens have common associations throughout Norse myths – war, death battles, and bloodshed. 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 are scavenger birds, that feed on dead matter. Sacrificing an enemy to ravens was seen as a gift or offering to the birds.
This fits well with Odin’s profile too. 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.
In fact, in some poems, blood is described as Hugin’s sea or Hugin’s drink. Warriors were also sometimes called The reddener of Hugin’s claws or the reddener of Hugin’s bill. Wars or battles were also sometimes called Hugin’s feast. Munin’s name was also sometimes invoked in such a manner but Hugin was definitely the more “famous” of the pair.
Hugin and Munin as Extensions of Odin
What’s often ignored about the two ravens is that they weren’t exactly their own separate beings – they were extensions of Odin himself. 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. They were his eyes where he couldn’t go and his companions when he was lonely. 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.
Symbols and Symbolism of Hugin and Munin
As both intelligent and bloodthirsty, ravens were the perfect companions of Odin. Their names indicate that they symbolized thought and memory.
Because 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. In addition, the birds were considered wise and intelligent, again another association with Odin.
Wise enough to give him counsel and cruel enough to follow him into battle, the two birds were a part of the Allfather god.
Importance of Hugin and Munin in Modern Culture
While ravens are popular symbols of both wisdom and war throughout most cultures, Hugin and Munin sadly haven’t been incorporated by name in many modern works of literature and culture. While most images of Odin through the ages include a pair of ravens on his shoulders, the particular names of the two birds are rarely used.
One rare and curious example is the Eve Online video game which includes many types of battleships named after characters from Norse mythology, including the Hugin-class recon ship and the Munin-class Heavy Assault ship.
Wrapping Up
Hugin and Munin represent Odin and several characteristics associated with him. As his companions and spies, the two ravens were indispensable to the Allfather god.
