A Simple Way to Explore Norse Mythology

The Norse Mythology Encyclopedia was created to make the world of Norse myth more approachable for anyone drawn to these stories, symbols, and beings.

It brings the sources together into one place, offering concise summaries, clear language, and a visual layer of meaning through custom bindrunes crafted specifically for this project.

Whether you’re here for mythology, runes, history, tattoo inspiration, or creative exploration, this eBook gives you a clean and reliable foundation to work from.

 

 

What’s Inside

• 250+ mythological entries with clear, concise summaries
• Old Norse names for every figure
• Younger Futhark transliterations written with the 16-rune Viking-age system
• Exclusive bindrunes designed for tattoos and personal projects
• A simple four-part format for each entry: Bindrune • Old Norse Name • Runes • Synopsis
• Organised into seven sections: Æsir, Vanir, Jǫtnar, Valkyries, Dwarves, Beasts & Animals, Other Beings

 

 

The Entries

Every figure in the encyclopedia follows the same four-part structure, making the whole book easy to navigate:

Bindrune

A custom bindrune made for the figure’s Old Norse name, designed using Younger Futhark runes.

Perfect for tattoos, art projects, or simply visual reference.

Old Norse Name

The name as it appears in the medieval sources, maintaining authentic spelling.

Younger Futhark Transliteration

A phonetic rendering of the name using the 16-rune Viking-age writing system.

Synopsis

A concise summary explaining who the figure is, where they appear, and why they matter in the broader mythological landscape.

This structure keeps the entries consistent, readable, and useful whether you’re here for mythology, language, art, or tattoo design.

 

 

The Figures Covered in the Book

The encyclopedia is divided into clear sections covering the major groups of Norse mythology:

 

The Æsir

Odin, Thor, Baldr, Frigg, Heimdallr, and the gods of sovereignty, order, war, and culture.

 

The Vanir

Freyja, Freyr, Njörðr, and the gods of fertility, prosperity, and the natural world.

 

The Jǫtnar (The Giants)

A diverse group of powerful, ancient beings who appear throughout the myths — sometimes as enemies, sometimes as teachers.

 

The Valkyries

Choosers of the slain, messengers of Odin, and important supernatural figures connected to fate, battle, and the afterlife.

 

The Dwarves

Master craftsmen, mythical artisans, and creators of many of the gods’ greatest treasures.

 

The Beasts, Animals & Horses

Creatures like Sleipnir, Fenrir, Jörmungandr, Hraesvelgr, and many others that shape the mythic landscape.

 

Other Notable Beings

Kings, heroes, elves, spirits, and unique figures who appear throughout the sagas and Eddic poems.

 

 

The Inspiration for This Project

This encyclopedia began with a moment of fascination: the bindrune carved on the Sønder Kirkeby Runestone.

This Viking-age stone contains a rare example of bindrunes in the historical record — a small combination of runes meaning “May Thor hallow these runes.” That single detail revealed two things that shaped the project:

1. Bindrunes were used with creativity and intention, not as fixed symbols.
2. Runes and language were deeply intertwined, carrying sound, meaning, and identity.

From that spark, the idea grew:

What if there were a modern encyclopedia where every mythological figure had its own bindrune — not as an ancient certainty, but as a creative tool inspired by Younger Futhark writing principles?

The bindrunes in this book are made with care, research, and respect for the language of the sagas. They aren’t “Viking symbols” in the modern commercial sense — they are artistic interpretations shaped by the sounds of Old Norse names, built using Younger Futhark logic, and intended for personal and tattoo use.

Alongside the bindrunes, each entry draws from the Poetic Edda, the Prose Edda, and academic sources like Simek’s Dictionary of Northern Mythology.

The goal has always been clarity over complexity — a resource that’s easy to use, beautifully presented, and grounded in the surviving texts.

 

 

 

The Free Version

I believe good knowledge should be accessible. 

That’s why all the written information from the encyclopedia is freely available on the website.

The bindrunes, however, are exclusive to the eBook.

If you choose to buy it, you’re directly supporting the project, the research, and the time it takes to build and update this resource — and you receive the complete visual edition with all 250+ bindrunes.

 

 

What’s Coming Next

Just like the other major Einarr’s Journey projects, this encyclopedia is an ongoing work.

Future updates will include:

• more entries and missing names
• expanded sections on mythological items and artefacts
• clearer linguistic notes
• improved bindrunes as my understanding grows
• indexing, cross-references, and refinements

Every update is free to anyone who already owns the eBook.