Exploring Norse Mythology: Heimdall the Watcher

[@Lakefront_Khan]

"Loki I challenge you...............to Seal Kombat!!!" Flipper slapping ensues.

[@Kovukingsrod]

😂😂

[@I-am-the-Magus]

WHOOOOO!!! HEIMDAAALLLLL!!! That's why I like him so much. He's mysterious. No one really knows that much about him. He's just a "minor" god, but he's strong enough to kill Loki, the trickster god. He's an unsung hero. He's given the monumental task of guarding Asgard, and he simply does it. The life of a guard is to protect his betters. Let the others have their glory, because at the end of the day, he's the first line of defense. Because of his heightened senses, he could be seen as better then the other gods, but he doesn't let it go to his head. He's humble. That's why he's awesome. He shines brightly without being flashy.

[@wingedhussarswiss4703]

Alcaniruvi, the Magus Well, Loki also kills him at the same time. Also Loki didn't deserve his fate of being chained to a rock with snake poison dripping on his head, and since he is a god he couldn't die from the snake. And all he did was kill Balder. But he didn't really but was responsible because bulders mother forgot a plant.

[@zekezzekekan2144]

@@wingedhussarswiss4703 your right during Ragnarok it's almost like every battle ended in a double KO. Even when Thor kills jormungandr the world serpent he gets covered in venom that kills him before you could take like five or six steps.

[@rhudson4050]

@@zekezzekekan2144 He takes 9 steps, then dies.

[@kennethsatria6607]

The seal battle must've been hilarious

[@tyleravery1905]

*makes seal noises* Then they would jump around and flop on each other, right?

[@kristiankepley5944]

@@tyleravery1905 depends on what kind of seal

[@kolbyrose]

I’m so excited for the rest of this Norse mythology

[@thinhvo3893]

"Born from 9 mothers all are sisters" that is so wrong and so nonsensical on so many level. I need an explanation for this.

[@danielclark-hughes692]

Thinh Vo Yeah, that was glossed over quite skillfully but certainly made me raise an eyebrow.

[@merrickwildblade7720]

Thinh Vo it’s most likely a metaphor for how many months he was in a womb. In fact I’m very confident of that. In fact the number 9 comes up a lot in Norse mythology, “9 whole days he was hung there pierced” (think ambilical chord)

[@danielclark-hughes692]

merrick wildblade Ok, firstly, I'm stealing your username for fantasy RPGs, secondly, that's a damn good explanation of the 9 mother/ sisters

[@merrickwildblade7720]

Daniel Clark-hughes beat you to it my friend. It’s a character name I play in a video game, haha. And to be honest you can take what I said to most religions in fact. Think yin yangs, push and pull, etc.

[@dickzeus8767]

Mythological symbolism is meant to be interpreted symbolically not literally. The gods are symbols or the embodiments of what are cosmic principles, not that I know what the Norse gods mean symbolically specifically but the often weird and sometimes incestuous nature of the gods is made understandable when interpreted as such. So it's possible that Heimdall's nine mothers, who are also sisters, represent certain "related" principles and/or aspects of consciousness that coalesce into the ethereal entity that is Heimdall. I don't know this is strictly the case with Heimdall and the Norse gods in general but I hope that clears things up for you.

[@RemusKingOfRome]

Well considering how dangerous it was for villages during dark ages, a skilled watcher would be highly prized. once states appeared, and villages far more secure, a watcher's need would fade.

[@prime_resistor]

I don't think that is very likely. A village of, say, 20 people probably wouldn't pay someone to stare at the horizon all day, especially if they are not at war. Although, I would expect military fortresses to have a watcher.

[@emiliocamachoerice6380]

RemusKingOfRome5 au contraire we have Facebook and cameras for Heimdall

[@zekezzekekan2144]

@Genghis Khan only if you CCTV and AI systems. Because a person with binoculars is not as valuable as satellite imagery. Or a robot that could see in night vision thermal infrared and visible light. So we don't need a person I can anymore we got technology to do it.

[@zekezzekekan2144]

@@prime_resistor I would imagine they would use satellite imagery as their eye that could see further than any other eye.

[@zekezzekekan2144]

@Genghis Khan yeah I know that buddy, I was referring to where they say in modern days we don't need somebody like him. And modern days we have telescope CCTV satellite. That's what I was referring to in that one comment.

[@himanshuwilhelm5534]

1:43 Drinking while on guard duty? FIRED!

[@johnny2x924]

Himanshu Wilhelm 😂 hell ya

[@areguycole7336]

Well, he was probably a lot warmer and a lot happier with a belly full of mead

[@ALTAI38]

For norsemen, the guy who doesnt drink gets fired (or axed).

[@thanosinfinity9098]

He was stabbed to death after teleporting a Green Guy Back into earth. The purple guy that killed him had a nutsack chin.

[@sodaguy3651]

So you are the man behind slaughter

[@tyleravery1905]

A what chin? What is a nutsack chin?!

[@proudsaiyanprince2651]

Fuck marvel. Lol

[@tyleravery1905]

Heimdall blows loudly his horn in the air. Odin speaks to Mimir's head. The ash of Yggdrasil trembles as it stands, the old tree groans and the giant breaks free. What giant? What is it even talking about?? Why am I adding more question marks at the end of my questions??? At least that... poem????... Is good.

[@higherechelon7884]

Probaly, ymir the first beign

[@whatsyourexcuse384]

I feel the marvel thor movies and comics really cheapen the actual sagas.

[@elgranlugus7267]

They do

[@Marcus-yn4yh]

They don’t do it justice at all

[@Electronick7714]

Because they arent the actual mythology. They're just based on it. It's like hoe Dinsey Hercules or Percy Jackson use characters that are based on Greek myth but arent the actual mythology.

[@jeanninerossouw6660]

@@Electronick7714 no its more like adapting Jesus or mahammed or Buddha into a comic figure, and then completely dismantling the story line.

[@Electronick7714]

@@jeanninerossouw6660 but that entirely depends on whether you view the Norse gods from a religious perspective, which even a plethora of Asatru and other Norse myth experts/historians/etc dont do. Also, buddha himself is not worshipped for the most part. He is revered and seen as a guiding figure. So if looking at Norse myth from a religious viewpoint then yeah I can see how marvel Thor might rustle some jimmies. But then again, I've met other pagans who worship norse gods who arent bothered by marvel at all because they see it as an inspiration of their faith. Also even if someone did make an action hero based story of Muhammad or jesus...who cares? If it's just for entertainment and storytelling but not for religious purposes, what's the problem? No one worships marvel Thor (from a religious sense). Marvel took very bare basic concepts of norse gods, asgard, etc and that's about it. I have comic book friends as well and they even acknowledge theres a large difference between marvel thors mythology and the real Norse mythology. And yes, people do make stories, films, etc inspired by or pulling off of modern day religions. Star wars and lord of the rings have absolutely pulled from Judaism, Buddhism, Norse paganism/myth, etc. You think people didnt compare Gandalfs resurrection as a synonym for Jesus returning/leaving the cave? Also how many ancient religions or famous stories were inspired by even earlier mythologies or religions? When looking at norse myth versus marvel thor, I see it as one is a faith/mythology/culture, the other is an inspired entertainment. People make such a fuss over these two completely different things. Apples and oranges honestly.

[@Daimon-X]

Heimdall, open the Bifrost!

[@TheCorrodedMan]

Daimon X (spectacular flash of multicolored light as a pillar of cosmic energy flies down out of the clouds to carry Diamon X off to Asgard)

[@Daimon-X]

Better late than never. Asgard here I come! WOAHHH!!!!

[@elgranlugus7267]

Funny thing the Bifrost is always open in norse mythology

[@danielclark-hughes692]

You missed out the part where he gets a job as an award winning actor and played himself in a Marvel film.

[@thegunslinger8806]

Daniel Clark-hughes ironically he chose the form of a black dude with a British accent 😂

[@danielclark-hughes692]

Player Juan gotta cover your tracks somehow if you're an immortal, I suppose.

[@thegunslinger8806]

Daniel Clark-hughes Wait but wasn't he killed by Loki in ragnarok? I mean the Romans.....worshipped Romulus...who raised by a wolf...who left the empire to them...who then devoured the Vikings.....oh my god the wolf that ate odin is Rome and the end of ragnarok with the man and the woman standing together to forge a new earth is suppose to be Adam and Eve... holy shit dude....so if Heimdall is really bright and God has always been portrayed like a bright light and he's all knowing....holy shit dude... Jesus is a Viking...

[@danielclark-hughes692]

Player Juan I doubt the monks in season 1 of Vikings would believe it but your logic is sound. Now to the Agora for debate and PUBG!

[@thegunslinger8806]

Daniel Clark-hughes they would probably chop my head but FUCK IT! TO AGORA FOR MEAD AND ALE!

[@jackburton5]

I’m sorry but the correct name for the rainbow road is not “Beef Roast” it is “Chicken Roast” or more commonly know as “Chicken Dinner” and every time a great victory was won it Was said that Heimdal would shout “Winner winner Chicken Dinner” and the rainbow road will transport them. I don’t no much Norse mythology but I know this. Feel free to correct me if I’m mistaken thank you 😊

[@manjaman9636]

You made me ugly laugh hahah😂

[@tyleravery1905]

Umm... I don't think that is historically correct... Let me check though.......... Nope! the phrase "winner winner chicken dinner" was actually created in the 1900s. So THERE!

[@batpunk303]

The story of the stolen necklace here is pretty vague. Heimdall actually watched Loki steal it from Freya approaching as fly in the night which he detected with his extremely good senses. Loki then transformed into a flea to bite Freya and make her change position in her bed where he could better remove the necklace. During Loki’s escape with the necklace, Heimdall persued him and various other forms were taken ending in the battle of two seals.

[@Glaaki13]

The story about the class society is up to debate as we dont know if this is from pre or post Christianity also because it dont fit many other stories about the Viking

[@merrittanimation7721]

Well the best we have is from Christian sources so we can't really accurately determine what's original or not

[@dudarmedharet]

Are the mothers names known? I've heard claimed that they remained unnamed in all sources. If someone has even a partial list of names regarding his mothers, I would love to read it.

[@EastsideShowSCP]

here is a question off-topic. What do you use to record your audio for these videos? I am curious as I bought myself a new headset for audio at this time.

[@TheExploringSeries]

I use a Heil PR-40, plugged into a Steinberg UR242 interface and a dbx 286s processor.

[@EastsideShowSCP]

thank you!

[@Zozzman1]

I live in Heimdal, in Norway :)

[@signity5540]

@FMJackal most Norwegians are white

[@signity5540]

@@faust8218 true but people will get triggered.

[@INRamos13]

1:09 Golden teeth? Marvel should have cast Lil Wayne. They still would have ticked the Black guy box.

[@jackiesantos2121]

Try one of your tendons bed straight alarm about them

[@jessekelley5109]

Would love to see a video of ratatoskr someday

[@box_of_rain5277]

"The Whitest"

[@dragunov815]

What a surprise.

[@madalinionut1748]

Thanks for this videos

[@Lupinemancer87]

At least he is not refering to the Jotunns as, "Giants" which is a good thing.

[@ALTAI38]

Doesnt jotunn mean nonhumans? Giants, dwarves, elves?

[@abdulmalikishakbinmadihi2171]

​@@ALTAI38He referred to the one in God of War: Ragnarok.

[@thegunslinger8806]

so Heimdall is more of the quiet badass with all the power but hides it to let others get all the useless attention? fuck yeah I identify with that.

[@apollo8008]

r/iamverybadass

[@maclarenschell8855]

Nice vid

[@charlesdaniels9758]

Oh so this is where they got the watches story

[@CzarVentus]

Could you tell us where that music is from? It was really cool!

[@arnoldafapelkarna9505]

How about doing Freya/Freja or her brother Freyr/Frej next?

[@angryjellobear9353]

Spelled: Heimdall and Bifrost Pronounced: Himedall and Byfrost

[@TheExploringSeries]

Maybe in Modern Icelandic, but probably not in Old Norse. Dr. Jackson Crawford has a number of videos on the subject of Old Norse pronunciation if you're interested.

[@TheHandOfMadness]

The one who sees all and the one who knows only delusions shall slay one another. Sounds like enlightenment.

[@elynchi1234]

can you make a video about 3 Goddesses of fate? verdandi urd skuld i wanna know their story

[@manjaman9636]

Don’t know much but they are the one who tells oden about ragnarrök and how it ends hence oden trying to kill jötners because they are to bring the death of asgård and midgård starting a new age

[@jessie801000]

Was laying in bed about to go to sleep, had to put that on hold.

[@yuppiesyoo]

Good video, but you didn't have to say that you wanted Heimdall kick little children at the end there.

[@rayshomaker200]

I'm here because God of war ragnorok

[@ShadowLibrarian]

So he created humans would sleep with humans, he sounds like Zeus or Jupiter.

[@hughnotresponding5696]

Can you plz do a video about Loki.

[@manjaman9636]

You say the gods name totally wrong it’s bifrost (bee frost) freja (frreia), I can’t really understand sometimes who you refer to

[@featheryserpent9716]

my theory is that the name means sky valley since the danish 2 words himmel dal = heimdall but i dunno im just a simple dane

[@Remora_7]

Heimdal is the whitest... well marvel you screwed that up

[@Electronick7714]

Same thing as I said in another comment, but marvels version of norse myth isnt the actual mythology nor do they claim it to be. It's a superhero world interpretation/incorporation of it. Also, Heimdall being the "whitest god" may not mean what we modern people interpret that as, given how much language and culture has changed over time. It could mean he shined with the whitest "aura" of all the gods (since he is also described as bright with gold teeth). I doubt norse or proto norse people really focused on race like we do today. Most of that thinking is western based from the last few hundred years.

[@Hammerhook12]

​@@Electronick7714 Don't understand what you're trying to defend. It's straightforward, he was the whitest and brightest. The depiction of him is that he has shining blond hair. Norse gods were also made in the image of those who worshiped them... and still do allthough to a lesser degree today, obviously.

[@Electronick7714]

@@Hammerhook12 is it straightforward? Is that the actual Norse translation? Is that Snorris interpretation? Does whitest refer solely to skin color or does it refer to something else like honor or purity? So is it REALLY straightforward? Also, if people can't separate Marvel's black Heimdall from real Norse Heimdallr from myth/faith, that's their problem. They arent the same thing. I don't see Greek pagans losing their shit over Disney's Hercules. Y'know why? Cause they know it's not the same thing as the mythology/faith. So I will say for the final goddamn time. Marvel Heimdall and Norse Heimdallr...are NOT...the same. Treat marvel like nothing more than a Shakespearean play based on Norse myth and it will be much more tolerable, I promise.

[@Hammerhook12]

​@@Electronick7714 You're an absolute lunatic, sorry to say. You are making the sorryist escuses ever As a Dane I'm embarrassed that Nikolaj Coster Waldau had a role as an Egyptian God in the movie "Gods of Egypt" Show some dignity

[@Hammerhook12]

​@@Electronick7714 I mean this: "I doubt norse or proto norse people really focused on race like we do today. Most of that thinking is western based from the last few hundred years" Where the flying fck!?!= Racism is more or less the same as tribalism gone bad. It has existed for thousand of years. It's a tribal thing. Not a western thing. But tribes that leads up to civilisations would never have been possible without a strong homogeneous culture at its root. You're a fucking idiot.

[@xoSavality]

*imo Heimdall is an interesting “lesser” God*

[@dmstantastic3653]

Uh where did you pull the bit about the sword from? As his weapon is a spear and lacks a name. You didn't mention his hall or his horse either.

[@nimirist]

Ironically Heimdall was the whitest and Shiniest of all Gods

[@hrafnofthule5962]

Heimdaal = Home valley

[@Sofiahansen_3069]

What is the symbolism of the rainbow?

[@7han8]

The rainbow is the rainbow bridge in Asgard I think

[@strwb3rryz]

heim literally means home or home of dall quite literally means watcher of heimdall(r) is the watcher of the home, and the 9 realms

[@davidlloyd2225]

Not myth..the materialistic world is ending..peace and blessings to friends

[@torbjornlekberg7756]

Nice video. You have done your research well. It should be said, tho, that the identity of the god who supposedly gave birth to mankind by siering three sons in three families, is unclear. Often the god in question is interpreted as Oden/Odin, becourse it seams like somthing he would do.

[@zekezzekekan2144]

That's funny in the MCU hanging doll is portrayed as a black person but he's known as the whitest Norse god. Wonder how people would react if we had an African god portrayed by a white man.

[@INRamos13]

There's African gods?

[@endrr_]

@@INRamos13 There are in African mythology

[@acupofwhitetea]

Watch Gods of Egypt. Or the Prince of Persia, where all arabic people have an english accent and very white. Or any hollywood film in the past.

[@kungfuman82]

@@acupofwhitetea Funny how Egyptians weren't black...

[@uberwolf1424]

Dude, its not a seal

[@Glaaki13]

by the way we did have some fun that he was black in marvel movies because of him being the purest/whitest and maybe a racist but all in fun and Idris Elba Is super cool!

[@Glaaki13]

are you about to cry? Are you!?

[@Glaaki13]

lol no you where not I can see from your answer da you are crying like a kek give Sargon my love

[@grugnotice7746]

We wuz Heimdall and shhhhiiieeeeeettttt

[@phillipr.mctear8962]

👍

[@phanes3440]

I actually had a sorta Norse dream last night. Me and my family lived in a colossal world tree and I had to prepare it for coming of this tall icy grim reaper lookin guy

[@merrittanimation7721]

Phanes Did the ice guy actually arrive?

[@phanes3440]

yes but he was quite slow so it was easy to avoid him. Across the river next to the tree he had 3 towers of ice, I can remember feeling like he wanted this thing near the centre or bottom of tree and at the top near where I slept was the key to it.

[@1986Donpedro]

First post ☺️

[@кварталБеларусі]

Dó loki

[@Faint366]

“The whitest god” “has golden teeth” pardon my skepticism but... jk jk

[@tobiashagstrom4168]

So he just waltzes in on mortal couples, gives cool advice, and gets the women pregnant. He must either give REALLY awesome advice, or be bisexual and extremely competent, or this seems like a terrible deal for the other men involved.

[@conchadeconchos]

Could the 9 sisters represent the 9 realms. I like the guy but his origin story bothers me more than anything. I refuse to accept that 9 random ( maids) joten women symbiotically fused to give birth to an all powerful god that may rival Odin with the amount of respect and trust above all he puts in him. He has such a mystique to his character, yet maybe I mostly dislike that Odin is his father. Was he also his first son? Since he was responsible for populating humanity. Which was created by the trio brother (Odin and his 2 brothers), this lack in story/ information really bust my balls. Him being a godly baby from the god tree is so fitting for the man destined to simply be the herald of ragnarok. The messenger of the world tree signifying in a metaphysical way it is time for the aesir and all life in the realms to go and once again redo the process. He remains a neutral position in it all only being the messenger of the end and well Also taking out Loki himself should be further evidence that he was the final Stamp in Norse mythology since no other main god was available to fight Loki 1v1 to the death. He’s more of a symbol than anything and oden only kept him in high regards was to benifit from him neutral loyalty ( no questioning of morality, only yessir it is done when given a task such as protecting his beloved realms from the prophesied end of the world which is a big thing to ask for if you ask me haha)

[@abdulmalikishakbinmadihi2171]

Kratos kills him.

[@durkdickler5973]

Whitest god, turns out to be a black man in a movie..... thanks SJW'S

[@lallarn6684]

Heimdall the *black* Watcher

[@acupofwhitetea]

People may be hating on Marvel for using a black man to portray the "Whitest God" in Norse myth. But after watching so many films where white-washing is rampant and nearly everyone have an american accent and/or british, (Gods of Egypt, 3000, Prince of Persia, Noah, etc). It really cracks me up they did the reverse for Marvel!Heimdall. I'm not even surprised anymore

[@Hammerhook12]

Here's an idea. How about we all just agree not to race-bend or even gender-bend characters/gods etc. - especially those that are important to still existing cultures of today - and we all just get along instead? Also, don't understand why you want to punish me, a Scandinavian, for previous Hollywood mistakes.

[@oghaze9318]

Crazy how many similarities they are between Norse mythology and Elder Scrolls...

[@skogstjuven]

the Whites God is he albino ?

[@araknidsGrip]

The whitest of the gods and marvel cast a black actor lol

[@nashmiller4224]

Whitest of God’s marvel movies hold my beer

[@maclarenschell8855]

Forst

[@Ebenandre]

The whitest whut 1:05 in marvel he is black😂

[@signity5540]

yes but in real Norse mythology he is white.

[@Ebenandre]

@@signity5540 i now bruh its a joke i hate that hes black in marvel

[@signity5540]

@@Ebenandre ok I agree

[@Ebenandre]

@@signity5540 im norwegian and it kinda feels they just want Americanize our history and mythology to fitt themselves and make it aka non racist with a random black dude

[@signity5540]

@@Ebenandre exactly. They treat Norse mythology like a movie series instead of an important part of culture of multiple countries.

[@flatheadgg2443]

Gjallarhorn any destiny players here?

[@facina3390]

Damn, that escalated quickly.

[@Almighty_Mage]

Fuck destiny

[@zachstevens7382]

Yes sir. destiny is great. idk why people want to have sex with it or whoever she they are talking about but I got the sweet gaming reference. sorry people are just jerks and idk why they do it. :)

[@danielclark-hughes692]

Flathead Gg244 I thought the same 😁

[@tomfowler129]

Saladin, get the Gjallarhorn

[@zachstevens7382]

IT'S HEIMDALL! "HI UM DOLL"! SAY IT NOW! WATCH thor RAGNORROCK AT LEAST! sheesh... HEIMDALL Hi... Em... Dall! :)

[@zachstevens7382]

Their is no A in it...

[@TheExploringSeries]

No, I'm pronouncing it correctly actually. Don't use the Marvel movies as your source. Try Dr. Jackson Crawford instead: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZa6YmCljaqomM0

[@zachstevens7382]

TheExploringSeries try Emma saying .Com and figure it out. anyway, it's still an E sound with an accent and slight I sound. it's not bluntly ham doll. I cringed everytime you said it. it just didn't sound right. just go with it. you may not have the accent for it. bing it yourself.

[@TheExploringSeries]

Oh man, I hope you're not suggesting that a youtube pronunciation channel is a better source than a man with a PhD in Scandanavian Studies and probably the best expert I can find on old Norse.

[@zachstevens7382]

TheExploringSeries listen buddy. I can find the best piano teacher in the world. I may actually become decent but I will still never be that good and still struggle and suck at times. it's not anyone's fault. leave it to the experts. sure. I got yah. good points. I'm just saying I'm not hearing what they say and what you say. that's all. and nothing wrong with saying it the accepted way either. but somewhere in between isn't good. and this issue has came up before. nothing personal. I've been with you since nearly day 1. I'm just saying when he says it and you say it. I'm not hearing it the same. either high uumm... or hey i i i mm... doll... not hamdoll accent too a must as best one can. anyway. lol. sorry. thanks for appeasing me. I see the effort you put in. again, try out for voice read overs for books or movies or whatnot. if you want. your good. you could earn bank. appreciate it. looking forward to your next series or updates on older ones. hopefully you choose with your heart next series and not always the fans. i get outvoted. :)

[@anextlomara5981]

If (when) you do Thor, could you talk about the difference between the myths and the marvel universe?

[@merrittanimation7721]

Anextlomara It'd be shorter to list the similarities

[@hughnotresponding5696]

Sup 1st

[@hughnotresponding5696]

1sr view 1st comment 1st like

[@Beyondfreshken]

All my homies hate Heimdall

[@Dice_roller]

-God of War™ version to be specific.