Yggdrasil - Tree of the nine world

Yggdrasil - Tree of the nine world
Yggdrasil, the home of Germanic myth.

From the body of Ymir did Odin and his brothers create the universe and they set forth their hands and placed Yggdrasil, the tree of the universe, of time and of life, in it's center to support their creation.

They commanded it to fill all of the universe of the Aesir. It took root in the depths of Nifelheim and Midgard near Mimir's well and in Asgard near the Urdar fountain.

It grew to an exceedingly great height, even higher than Odin's Hall and it's branches spread forth to all the worlds of the universe.

Yggdrasil has three main roots which hold everything together. One root reaches into the Well of Urd in Asgard, another into the Fountain of Mimir in Midgard, and the third into the Spring of Hvergelmir in Hel. At Hvergelmir is the watchman Ivaldi and his sons who defend Hel against the Storm Giants.

The World Tree is constantly under attack by evil creatures. In Niflheim, the dragon Nidhogg continually chews on its root. In Midgard, four giant harts eat the buds and leaves. Age rots its sides, and many serpents of the dark underworld attack its wood. But the Norns sprinkle it each morning with water from Urd's fountain of life.

Four deer, which are the found winds, run across it's branches. The squirrel Ratatosk runs up and down the great tree bringing news and gossip to each of the worlds.

Vidofnir, the golden rooster sits upon the highest branch while serpents nibble at it's roots.