Odin Origins 1: Bloodraven

The first of three videos explaining how the mythology of Odin, Norse god of shamanism and many other things, heavily influenced George R. R. Martin's ideas about magic, weirwoods, greenseers, skinchangers, and the North. Part 1 will cover Bloodraven, p2 Bran, and p3 Jon.
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cover image uses "Odin and the Runes" by Alex McArdell
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[@DoVisenya]

About the last point about Mimir having his head cut off and being carried around. Didn't Bittersteel have his skull dipped in gold and carried around by the Golden Company? That would be a neat parallel, given that Bloodraven lost his eye to Bittersteel and Odin 'lost' his eye to Mimir! Awesome work as always, LML!

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oh shit yes he did, very nice

[@TheYoghurt42]

Good catch

[@coyotegaxiola4281]

Bran the Blessed of English myth also had his head cut off his corpse and buried facing out to sea so that he could always protect England. His totemic birds are ravens, which still inhabit the site---currently the Tower of London is atop his cranium.

[@WhiteSargent]

Also the Freys have preserved and kept Robb’s head - as Bran’s brother we get the repeating symbolism of Bran becoming Odin/Bloodraven?

[@brandonlambert9768]

LML is slowly transforming into Odin, and I'm here for it.

[@mistermaestersirthomas9164]

Keep the eyes! Not worth it!

[@brandonlambert9768]

@@mistermaestersirthomas9164 😂

[@daggermouthtony8057]

"I guess I shouldn't really get HUNG up on that kinda thing with Norse myth." Oh you...

[@autje1970]

Gnawing at the roots of the algorithm to release the Lightbringer dragon.

[@TheOnlyElle.]

Poor Bran, all He wanted was for Bloodraven to fix His leg's!! He was tricked..as "all crows Are liar's"

[@jonhauge-evaldsson783]

Maybe not just his legs...

[@TheOnlyElle.]

@@jonhauge-evaldsson783 haha!! Aye, Aye!

[@forevermarked5826]

🤣🤣

[@TheOnlyElle.]

@Stannis Baratheon I think Bran saw the Night Queen/Hel... jmo

[@TheOnlyElle.]

@Stannis Baratheon Yeah, the remaining story arc is left to pure speculation, at this point.. I've read some great ideas, and some ridiculous one's..But, tbh I enjoy speculating with like minded people. Trying to uncover the puzzling story that is ASOIAF is a lot of fun :) Great user name by the way 🙌!!

[@Professor_GonZo]

On a intense internet-killing Midwestern wind comes the tinny notes of a distant theramin... LmL must needs my attention! Praise Garth, the day has arrived!

[@DavidLightbringer]

The spectral holler of the theramin

[@garo7839]

I'd trade an eye for ASOIAF audiobooks narrated by David Beers.

[@Professor_GonZo]

Maybe a Patreon perk in the making?

[@peterebel]

@@Professor_GonZo steep price for that elite tier.

[@richardwithanarr]

new chief of the Burned Men of the Mountain of the Moon

[@TheOnlyElle.]

LML got a tad freaked out when talking about Odinn yeeting out it His own eye. I really don't think He'd want Your eye floating about His tea in the morning (no offense) 🤣 he'd probably prefer a PayPal donation tbh

[@garo7839]

@@TheOnlyElle. Might have to start using a straw for the yellow Vitamin Water lol.

[@Moeller750]

Fun fact: one of the aspects of Odin that's often forgotten (or skipped over in favor of the more classic old master archetype) is the fact that Odin is also a trickster god. In fact in some versions of the story of Mimir's well, Odin actually tricks Mimir into thinking that spooning his eye out is a sacrifice, when it actually gives Odin eternal wisdom much stronger than a simple slurp of the water

[@DavidLightbringer]

Totally! I actually got into that in the Odin’s Spear livestream, and I definitely think it’s an influence on the basic character of both Bloodraven and Elric of Melnibone

[@joemckeown4612]

LML you have low key become my go to listen on KZbin over the last month. Your content is just so listenable, and I’m learning a ton about mythology and symbolism too. Thank you for all your work!

[@sayarhmehdi3597]

Many years ago I read an essay explaining the parallels between a song of ice and fire and the events of Ragnarok. Linking the major players of the game of thrones with the different protagonists of the battle of the twilight of the gods. A great read!

[@DavidLightbringer]

Yep, I saw that one too, way back when. Good stuff! Probably took it too far, but very thought provoking.

[@jonhauge-evaldsson783]

Link?

[@jojoladydayne7311]

Here you go Jon - this is a good one - like LML says it goes a little too deep into matching all the characters to the mythological figures for me. But you cannot escape the parallel between Bran & Jaime with the part of Ragnarok that tells us Fenrir the Wolf bit the hand off Tyr (a war god) after he 'bound' him up. Enjoy!

[@jonhauge-evaldsson783]

Interesting! But how do I find it?

[@mijo3303]

Since I'm a Norwegian and Norway is the home of Vikings 😁 I will recommend you some books of an author Tor Åge Bringsværd. He has written a series of Odin, Loke, Frøya and Balder from the beginning to the end. Love your shows by the way❤🇧🇻

[@andrzejkopalnia]

Aaaand it's added to my backlog!

[@whitebeard8265]

Bloodraven is my favorite character in ASOIAF and these videos about him made me love Martin and this character even more. Thanks a lot LML.

[@stupidhandles]

The gallows horse connection (as I understand) is to do with the bobbing up and down motion, of being hanged (especially from tree limb rather than built gallows) is similar to the bobbing motion of riding a horse.

[@brandonlambert9768]

Your mythical character studies are the highlight of my week.

[@keatonisballin]

The long awaited Odin video is here!!

[@michaelshelton5488]

I absolutely appreciate your historically correct Old Norse pronunciation. Jackson Crawford would be proud. 🤘

[@DavidLightbringer]

haha hope so!

[@michaelshelton5488]

I really love it when my favorite KZbin channels cross reference each other, especially when you wouldn't think their subject matters overlap.

[@ladydre3030]

Loved every bit of this, from the silly costumes to the well timed art and narration, explaining the myth behind the tale, and the reading in old Norse! Keep honing your craft! You are talented!

[@DavidLightbringer]

Awww fanks that means a lot ❤️

[@MurrayHerts]

i just learned a little bit about Odin randomly and I thought "wtf this is so similar to bloodraven, this obviously inspired Martin" Ive been a massive fan of the books for years im shocked this isnt talked about more often

[@DavidLightbringer]

It is around here!! Go back and check out the first four episodes of the weirwoods compendium podcast series

[@MurrayHerts]

​@@DavidLightbringer I only really browse /r/asoiaf - all though I did watch your series Winds of Winter predictions I guess Odin and Norse Mythology must have been mentioned places and I've somehow glazed over it, I will be watching all of your videos on the topic over the following days, thanks

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

here we gooooooooo

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

Released on 3 consecutive days right now when the orthodox Christianity is marking their three days easter holidays 😀 Is this on purpose 🤔

[@DavidLightbringer]

haha it's totally not, I wanted to put this out 2 weeks ago... and it's gonna be more than a day until the next one. I hurt my back this month and got way behind

[@TheOnlyElle.]

When I first read the title I thought it said "Odin and Blood Eagle" This vid look's epic!! The costume is an added bonus 🙌

[@TheOnlyElle.]

Hmm. . perhaps Bloodraven,l has been "Bloodeagled" into His Weirwood throne...

[@jamaicandondada9024]

Ill never get tired of that intro man

[@Stefanism]

This is the best Easter present I could ever wish for

[@0ceanque3n]

ohmy God this is crazy but after all this time i am just now getting the double meaning of your name, hahaha i only thought of it in biblical terms then i heard someone say it out loud and on total other channel talking about the meaning of lucifers name and ironically when i heard it in biblical terms i realized the game of thrones meaning. i can't stop cracking up.

[@davviewavvie7962]

Praise be

[@OriginalyCrafted]

Top notch content per usual LmL, on the story of Odin and Mimisbrunnr: I think this also represents a shamanic initiation, which ties to Bran’s journey to being a shamanic greenseer figure. The concept of Jotunheimr was often that which is outside of the “civilized” world, which were places like villages, farmsteads, dwellings, general society. The area outside of this would include the untamed wilds, and the lands of other peoples beyond. When Odin travels to Mimisbrunnr, which is in Jotunheimr, I think that thematically shows a shamanic experience where he journeys outside of society and takes “wisdom and intelligence” from the wellspring of the proverbial wilds, but not before making a sacrifice of his material self. Shamanic experiences often included a person secluding themselves away from civilization for a period of time, in order to gain secret knowledge or an initiatory experience. Sounds like a certain crippled greenseer we know, wink wink.

[@vanshpersie07]

IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!!!

[@willforan9670]

I’ve been watching for a few minutes, and didn’t realize this was just uploaded!! Thanks, LmL 🙏🏼 Let learning commence

[@TheOnlyElle.]

Bloodraven, and His red eye, reminds Me on an organic version of "HAL2000" from 2001 A Space Odyssey.. both creepy as too 👁️🎯

[@brandonlambert9768]

Liked and shared.

[@pinkbunny6272]

Your analysis of mythology is my LSD trip... Never needed many drugs for I'm great at imagination and creativity (the *perks* of being neuro divergent, autistic to be specific in my own experience and I suck at math and socializing) ... Your song choices are amazing!

[@DavidLightbringer]

thank you, that's a super awesome compliment ❤️ ADHD here so I feel ya!

[@thelateescapist8266]

LML you are the best! Back to back live streams, and now back to back mythology deep dives. I cherish you sir.

[@TheCbot88]

Jon and Bran represent two halves of Odin, you don’t say? If only they were closely related and Jon’s body was so conveniently empty at the moment. Perhaps they will merge into one all-powerful entity?!!

[@DavidLightbringer]

I don’t tend to think so but I bet Bran will help Jon get resurrected

[@TheCbot88]

But he’s so far beyond the wall! And crippled! No way could Meera drag him back!

[@lazarradovanovic9658]

OOOH YEAAH!!! Now this is awesome! 👏👏👏

[@hannahboyd3322]

I love the long videos personally but still love your shorter ones too 🖤

[@casey9439]

"Well the Earth died screaming, while I lay dreaming"🎵 Wait... Sacrifice my lower self? That's the fun self!

[@derekhammond6975]

Perfect timing for me to listen to by the pool

[@Kippiddy]

Omfg love the opening lol

[@thecloudedmountain3682]

Great Odin's Raven!

[@lbonts]

hey algorithm, i love this

[@DavidLightbringer]

lolzzz

[@michaellang7377]

Honestly forgot how hyped the intro music gets me for imminent mythical analysis. This is awesome, LML and your Bloodraven - Nidhogg parallel has me crossing my fingers for some kind of eldritch showdown between Bloodraven and Euron

[@brandonlambert9768]

Stay safe and keep up the good work.

[@kenchlife9527]

the question... do i watch it now or tomorrow while making lunch? also, the most amazing thing i ever realized was how in norse mythology the literal first man is made from an ash tree. which does remind me of the first men's connection to the magical ash trees aka weirwoods

[@DavidLightbringer]

yes, I'll be sure to mention that in the Ragnarok video I'm going to make :)

[@kenchlife9527]

@@DavidLightbringer now THAT'S something i'll be looking forward to!

[@KitOfTheWeirdWoods]

One thing in Blood Raven's cave always confused me. When Bran skin changes a raven and he senses the old COTF, he asks BR if all the birds have COTF in them, and BR says they all do... How old are those birds?!? Like were the children skin-changing recently? not if the one Bran felt died long ago, and I don't think it could be passed on genetically, so are the birds living a crazy long time? Anyway great vid LML, can't wait for the next one.

[@jonhauge-evaldsson783]

Intersting! Maybe skinchanging prolongs the life of the animal... Or is it the magic cave? Maybe the souls can jump from one animal to the next via the weirwood somehow... 🤔 Good catch!

[@KitOfTheWeirdWoods]

@@jonhauge-evaldsson783 Thanks, I had assumed I had missed something, but yeah, those are the only 2 options I can think of!

[@jonhauge-evaldsson783]

I think if a Child of the Forest or a human is buried correctly benith a weirwood, the soul will live on forever inside the tree. Varamyr soul goes in to the weirwood then to his wolf. Maybe the Singers can do the same over and over again.

[@moiz85]

wonder if bloodraven knew what he was sacrificing, or if he was tricked like Bran

[@stupidhandles]

Or seduced by the power of the old gods. (He was in the watch by then, I'd reffer hyperspeed Weirwood broadband in a cave to celebacy and gruel at castle black)

[@Skooby59]

I can’t express how much i enjoy the norse stuff my man. Looking forward to the live stream tomorrow

[@franciscozerwes]

First! Keep up the great work Lucifer! Love your videos, best and most original ASOIAF youtuber out there

[@annaofstarfall1877]

Can't wait for the next two episodes!! 🌳👁️

[@coyotegaxiola4281]

Great stuff as always, Mr. Lightbringer. It puts me to mind of one of my favorite Skwisgar Skwigelf quotes from Metalocalypse:. "What in the f***ing names of Odin?!"

[@DavidLightbringer]

hahaha that's a good swear

[@Professor_GonZo]

"No free lunches" got me thinking... All the wargs(a uniquely Westerosi trait I've noticed) in ASOIAF have had traumatic experiences before realizing their powers, haven't they? This kind of falls down with Orell and Sixskins but maybe being born in the Land of Always Winter is enough for a wee babbie...

[@stupidhandles]

What trauma did the stark children have before they started warging? (It's suggested they bonded/started warging earlier than neds death) Also it's kinda implied that dragon lords are essentially a form of warging, and dragons aren't westerosi

[@Professor_GonZo]

Bonding is completely different from skin-changing. I don't have a digital copy that I can thumb through but I think the earliest case of Stark warging is Bran, deep in his coma. Arya starts her wolf dreams after throwing rocks at Nymeria to force her away but certainly after the death of Eddard on her journey north. Jon starts his wolf dreams at or north of the Wall. Could be wrong.

[@Professor_GonZo]

As for dragon lords being skin-changers or their abilities being something anything other than blood magic or cross-breeding, I'm going to need some citations for that... Dragon dreams don't read the same as wolf dreams to me...

[@stupidhandles]

@@Professor_GonZo I don't have a digi copy either, but I'm sure there's suggestions of warging before Ned dies, but not direct references necessarily. Re dragon riding, was suggesting it more as a simile to warging than being identical. As you bought it up, any references to support your claim warging is trauma induced?

[@Professor_GonZo]

@@stupidhandles all of the moments I mentioned were pre-beheading so yes. Dragon riding and skin-changing don't seem similar in their mechanics. No mention of Dany "going away" while she rides Drogon, she's conscious. Bran, not so much. I did say that the concept was a bit weak right off the bat, didn't I? Most likely, its just the weirwoods and nothing more than that.

[@dudzii2537]

Another top tier video, I can’t wait for the rest of the series. Keep unlocking all of GRRM’s influences and secrets for us! I hope you compile all of this info in the future and write a full symbolic analysis of ASOIAF

[@krakentacos]

Fantastic video!! Great info LML..You've been working your butt off. Love all the art too!!

[@HubertHumphreyWasHere]

Really appreciate these lore analysis videos, LML. Very unique and lots of effort.

[@TuathaTuna]

Adore how you tie all of the mythology from ASOIAF together from real sources. The best! Two for one deal ❤

[@JoeyWhisperz]

Dude you're spot on that movie “The Northman” was like watching an LmL video! One of the most accurate Viking Norse movies too! I see where GRRM gets the whole Wolf 🐺 north customs too holy shit good job bro!

[@twisted-badger]

guys just done a passage in old norse 🤯😱 !!!! I tip my hat to the epic levels of commitment of these videos. much loves 💗

[@DavidLightbringer]

It was tons of fun learning it too

[@yensid4294]

I've been waiting for this & you didn't disappoint. Great job & very thorough. Looking forward to part 2. Big 👍

[@troubledwaters7441]

18:23 WOW! Beautiful art! Great video as ALWAYS LML. Love and light

[@owleyes07]

Excellent job LmL!!! Can't wait for part 2 & 3.

[@nikolaweiglova5266]

Awesome job editing the video, love it!

[@Teresa-zd7xr]

Love love love this series. Thank you for all the work. All the detail in words and image. Such a pleasure.

[@catyatzee4143]

so happy this is your next series!!!

[@tool9386]

Love it. Thanks for working through the backpain to bring us another gem.

[@eziowayne]

Love your content so much! Thank you! And keep up the great work dude!

[@joemc7614]

For just a second I thought it was the dude that stormed the capital, but then I realized he had a shirt on. Keep up the good content, lml

[@DavidLightbringer]

Kind of on the opposite end of the political spectrum too, he’s taller, and I don’t have any tattoos. But yeah I’ve made my share of QANON shaman jokes around here lol

[@Airehcaz]

Hey LmL great video! I really appreciate the work you do man. I started reading ASOIAF back in ‘04 and it’s KZbin channels like yours and Radio Westeros that are keeping me invested in this world still after so long.

[@lizardbreathh]

Ah, another fantastic video! Thx lml!

[@kimberlyporter9555]

yesssssssssssssssssssssssssssss SO READY FOR THIS VIDEO . . . WILL COMMENT LATER.

[@georgeryan566]

Ive always tied bloodraven to mimir for the knowledge but this was dope. Good bloodraven voice

[@DavidLightbringer]

ahhhhh thank you I take pride in my Bloodraven voice

[@briceslorene8760]

Thank you for another great video, will be watching the second part afterwards

[@brettstalling2269]

LOVE THAT YOU PUT GOD OF WAR ART IN THERE. THE WOLRD SERPENT. (IDK WHY I AM CAPS LOCKED)

[@SY-xq3ni]

Elucidating as always, LML! 🔥 Your exploration of Blood Raven as Odin was beautifully done! And entertaining as f! Seeing all the images of sacrifice on a tree has me thinking about the crucifixion myth. GRRM wasn't the first and certainly won't be the last to use the imagery of Odin's self sacrifice to...self.

[@serenatargaryen4932]

Just started this playlist can't wait to see the rest, and thank you for suggesting Jackson Crawford 👊

[@modmary1]

Wonderful Video!!! Loved 🥰 it! Thanks!

[@almab6875]

You are immense, LML, thank you!

[@BeautifulBeastie]

You have done me a big favor with this video. I have studied norse myths and knew of odin, ygdrasil, etc. But you connected all the dots for me today and really brought it all together. The paralleles you made between the myths and ASOIF gave me a deeper understanding of two of my favorite subjects. You deserve mad props LML

[@larrisamayy1194]

Can't wait to for part 2 and 3 😁😁

[@spellbindinglunacy99]

I cant help but be reminded of an episode of Adventure time. "In the tree, part of the tree. In the tree, part of the tree!"

[@SY-xq3ni]

Also, a shout out to the incredibly talented visual artists whose works grace your videos! ❤️❤️❤️

[@anthonywritesfantasy]

Your Blood Raven voice is sick dude

[@treehouse318]

looking forward to part two!❤🔥

[@joejejeo]

LmL is Brodin, confirmed

[@bobbehwitchie]

SO DOPE! LML I love that you always give credit to others who help you with research. I stumbled on Dr. Crawfords content on my own I've been watching his work for the past 2 years. It was awesome seeing him getting some recognition. Your old norse reading sounds really good too. Im so stoked for this series.

[@lutilda]

Love this topic and love to see Dr. Crawford mentioned here!

[@brandonlambert9768]

Yay

[@thomasgazzard506]

On an unrelated note to this video, please look at the Aztec story of Itztlacoliuhqui (I'll call him Itz). This legend confirms that the creation of the Night Kind in GoT will be canon in the books (Itztlacoliuhqui is usually translated into English as "curved obsidian blade.") Also, the story states that Itz was originally 'The Dawn' before becoming the god of stone and darkness. The Aztecs had some crazy customs related to obsidian, such as obsidian medicine - go check it out :)

[@DavidLightbringer]

I’ve read a bit about this; mesoAmerican myth is fantastic. And yeah I think George got the glass candle idea from obsidian scrying mirrors

[@lewicron]

I love this series of videos, and I've been meaning to come back and leave a comment since I noticed another Odin reference that I think you might have missed. In HOTD, when the characters speak high valyrian, you can hear that they pronounce the phoneme "ae" in the same way as in Latin (it sounds like the "i" in "die".) So, for example you hear that Daemon's name is pronounced "Die-mon" in valyrian. Which means that Aegon the Conqueror's name is pronounced..... "Eye-gone". Which seems very George, imo.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Dunk and Eig. lol

[@jonhauge-evaldsson783]

Bloodraven is truly like a one eyed god, watching the world through his magic tree. The raven is his messengers and they whisper secrets in his ears.

[@WhoIsCalli]

Nice one LML!!

[@nadiasouthiere7908]

LML, thanks 🙏🏻 for this stream, Awesome as always👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻♥️🙋🏼‍♀️🇨🇦

[@andrzejkopalnia]

Excellency once again, Professor!

[@sean5558]

15:05 I love the obscure Southpark reference 😂

[@isabellamego5321]

Lightbringer academy sounds very good

[@elilastnamington9808]

Great pronunciation, really enjoyed it.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oh right on thank you! All credit to Jackson Crawford’s KZbin channel

[@dragonpiscesmtl]

So Odin is the Hanged Man in the Tarot! I REALLY like this!

[@DavidLightbringer]

Yes absolutely that one is based on him. Check out King Bran 3: The God on Earth, I talk all about the Tarot layer to Bran’s tower climb experience:)

[@MrSteini124]

Yes love it!!

[@squatlobster]

love you dude

[@Drew_Thompson]

horned helms are gaulish and iberian, and that one guy in ireland that had one, but his might have been a carry over from galatian culture.

[@Duclida]

This is super cool! Have you ever done an analysis about Theon’s symbolism with the weirwood trees? Excited to listen to the Bran Odin episode!

[@imokin86]

Thank you, this was all to the point and very well researched! Your Old Norse pronunciation is very good, I hear Crawford in it, that's a great source to draw upon. A Norse Easter egg in one of the pictures you used: at 24:00, Dany's Dream has a tower to the right that looks exactly like the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík, Iceland. Not Viking age obviously, it's 20th century, but a nice nod nevertheless.

[@staytuned2L337]

Wooo!