Is Jörmungandr Alive after Ragnarök?

Jörmungandr, the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent, is indeed alive after Ragnarök, as noted by Freya who sensed signs of the serpent’s presence even after its supposed disappearance during the battle. The Prose Edda also supports this, stating that the Midgard Serpent lives on and remains in the encircling sea, a notion further reinforced by Thor‘s encounter with the serpent and his realization that it had survived their confrontation.

Introduction to Jörmungandr and Ragnarök

Background and Mythology

Jörmungandr, the son of Loki and Angrboða, plays a significant role in Norse mythology, especially during the events of Ragnarök, the twilight of the gods. This legendary serpent is known for encircling the world and biting its own tail, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Significance of Jörmungandr’s Survival

The survival of Jörmungandr after Ragnarök holds significant implications for the Norse mythological universe, suggesting that some aspects of the old world continue into the new era that follows the cataclysmic events of Ragnarök. This raises questions about the serpent’s role in the future and how its survival might influence the narratives of other mythological figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. What is Jörmungandr? – Jörmungandr is the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent in Norse mythology, known for encircling the realm of Midgard.
2. Who is Jörmungandr’s father? – Jörmungandr is the son of Loki, a trickster god in Norse mythology.
3. What happens to Jörmungandr during Ragnarök? – During Ragnarök, Jörmungandr engages in a fatal battle with Thor, where both the serpent and the god slay and are slain by each other.

Combat and Strength

4. Can Kratos defeat Jörmungandr? – Given Kratos’ past victories against powerful gods and monsters, it’s plausible that he could defeat Jörmungandr, considering the serpent’s size and strength would be formidable but potentially manageable with Kratos’ combat skills and weaponry.
5. Who can defeat Kratos? – Characters like Beerus, with his ability to destroy planets, or those with unique powers such as Alucard, Ōnoki, Anos Voldigoad, Lelouch, and Kaguya Otsutsuki, could potentially overpower Kratos in combat.

Mythological Connections

6. Is Jörmungandr good or evil? – Jörmungandr is often depicted as an evil serpent due to its association with chaos and its role in Ragnarök.
7. Who kills Fenrir? – Fenrir, the great wolf and Jörmungandr’s brother, is killed by Vidarr, the son of Odin.
8. What killed Jörmungandr in mythology? – In the mythological narrative, Jörmungandr is slain by Thor during Ragnarök, though it also causes Thor’s death due to its venom.

Symbolism and Evolution

9. Why does Jörmungandr bite its tail? – The act of Jörmungandr biting its tail is a symbol of the ouroboros, representing the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
10. Is Jörmungandr a dragon or snake? – Jörmungandr is most commonly referred to as a serpent or worm, but its enormous size and mythical nature sometimes lead to it being described in terms similar to a dragon.

Interactions and Legacy

11. Did Atreus save Jormungandr? – In the context of God of War: Ragnarok, Atreus indirectly aids Jörmungandr by sealing a Jotnar soul into a snake, which grows into the World Serpent, suggesting a narrative where Atreus’ actions contribute to Jörmungandr’s survival or growth.
12. Is Baldur reborn after Ragnarok? – According to Norse mythology, Baldur and his brother Höðr are expected to be reborn after Ragnarök and rule the new earth together with Thor’s sons.

Power and Abilities

13. Can Goku defeat Kratos? – Given Goku’s vast powers and abilities, especially his capacity to transcend his limits, it’s likely that he could defeat Kratos, whose powers, though considerable, might be outmatched by Goku’s ki-based abilities.
14. Can Itachi beat Kratos? – Itachi, with his Mangekyō Sharingan and powerful jutsu like Amaterasu, could potentially defeat Kratos by exploiting the vulnerabilities in Kratos’ defenses with his ninjutsu.

Conclusion and Speculation

15. What is the future of Jörmungandr? – The future of Jörmungandr remains speculative, with its survival after Ragnarök leaving room for interpretation and further storytelling within the Norse mythological universe, potentially involving interactions with other surviving gods and figures, or playing a role in the rebuilding or shaping of the new world that emerges after the events of Ragnarök.