Norse mythology is brimming with violent stories, many of which feature brutal battles and gruesome punishments. One of the earliest and most notable tales involves Ymir, the first being in the universe. Odin and his brothers killed Ymir and used his body to create the world, fashioning the earth from his flesh and the sky from his skull. The clouds, disturbingly, were made from his brains. Thor's encounters with giants also reflect this violent tradition. In one story, he went fishing with the giant Hymir, who feared they might encounter the world serpent, Jörmungandr. Thor, undeterred, hooked the serpent and attempted to drag it from the ocean. When Hymir panicked and cut the line, Thor, in his rage, threw the giant into the sea. The Norse God Odin: Viking God of War, Father of Thor, But There’s More Ymir in Norse Mythology: A Cosmic Creation Story Balder’s death is another infamous event. After every living thing in the universe swore not to harm him, Loki tricked the blind god Hodr into killing Balder with a sprig of mistletoe, the one item that had been overlooked. This death was seen as a harbinger of Ragnarok, the eventual destruction of the gods. Read moreSection: NewsMyths & LegendsEuropeVideosRead Later