Poetic Edda

A fantasy scene shows a wizard with a staff observing a large, ancient tree with runes on its trunk. The tree has twisted branches, some with an eagle perched, and others with openings glowing with fire. In the sky, three armored warriors on horsebac

The Poetic Edda is one of the most important surviving sources of Norse mythology a collection of ancient poems preserved in the Codex Regius, a 13th-century Icelandic manuscript. Within its verses lie the raw voices of skalds and storytellers: myths of gods and giants, prophecies of Ragnarök, wisdom poems, and heroic lays that echo the worldviews of the ‘Viking Age’.

Unlike polished chronicles or later retellings, the Poetic Edda speaks with stark power. Its language is symbolic, its imagery often mysterious, inviting us into a world where Odin seeks wisdom through sacrifice, Thor battles the forces of chaos, and fate weaves all things together.

In this section of the blog, we’ll explore the poems of the Edda.. their themes, hidden meanings, and continuing influence on Norse spirituality, literature, and modern culture. Whether you’re a student of myth, a seeker on the pagan path, or simply curious about the ancient North, the Poetic Edda offers a doorway into one of the richest traditions of storytelling ever preserved.

An elderly man with a long white beard and hooded robe sitting and reading a book, with a large crow on his lap. In the background, there is a circular design with five armored figures. The overall scene has a warm, earthy color tone.
Painting of four figures, including a woman with long red hair holding a shield, a bearded man with a helmet and long hair, an older woman with blonde hair, and a woman on horseback wearing a crown, all in a medieval or fantasy setting.
An open, aged manuscript with text in an ancient script, featuring red initials and paragraph markings.
An open old book with yellowed pages and black serif text, featuring a burned or torn illustration of three figures, including a knight and two women, alongside a lit candle on a wooden surface.
Illustration of a bearded Viking warrior with a winged helmet, holding a spear, flanked by two ravens, with a smaller Viking figure in front, and snowy mountains in the background. The text reads 'Poetic Edda' at the top.
Featured
Baldrs draumar -Baldr’s Dreams
Baldrs draumar -Baldr’s Dreams
Baldr’s Dream (Story form)
Baldr’s Dream (Story form)
Rígsþula - The Lay of Ríg
Rígsþula - The Lay of Ríg
The lay of Rig (Story Form)
The lay of Rig (Story Form)
The Lay of Hyndla (In Story Form)
The Lay of Hyndla (In Story Form)
Hyndluljóð - The Lay of Hyndla
Hyndluljóð - The Lay of Hyndla
The Lay of Svipdag (In story form)
The Lay of Svipdag (In story form)
Fjölsvinnsmál
Fjölsvinnsmál
Grógaldr
Grógaldr
Svipdagsmál - The Lay of Svipdagr
Svipdagsmál - The Lay of Svipdagr
The Great Lacuna - The missing texts of the Poetic Edda
The Great Lacuna - The missing texts of the Poetic Edda
The Codex Regius - Poetic Edda
The Codex Regius - Poetic Edda
What is The Hávamál?
What is The Hávamál?
Poetic Edda in order
Poetic Edda in order
The Additional Eddic Poems (NOT codex regius)
The Additional Eddic Poems (NOT codex regius)
The Poetic Edda: The Ancient Voice of Norse Myth and Legend Introduction
The Poetic Edda: The Ancient Voice of Norse Myth and Legend Introduction