Exploring the Enigmatic Nótt: The Norse “Goddess” of Night

Norse mythology, a tapestry of tales from the ancient North, is filled with both gods jotnar, each playing a unique role in the cosmic order. Among them, Nótt stands out as the embodiment of night, one of the celestial beings in Norse myths. Let’s delve into the mysteries surrounding this intriguing personification of the night.

Nótt Key Facts

Name and Etymology

Nótt, directly translating to “night” in Old Norse, holds a significant place in the Norse pantheon. Her name is not just a simple descriptor of the time after sunset; it carries with it the weight of myths, stories, and cultural significance. In the poem “Alvissmál,” the dwarf Alviss provides various names for night, each reflecting the perspective of different beings in the Norse cosmos:

These varied names underscore the multifaceted nature of night in Norse mythology, reflecting its different meanings and significance to various beings.

Ancient roots

The name “Nótt” in Old Norse can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word nahts. This Proto-Germanic term is the ancestor of several words in modern Germanic languages, including the Old English “niht” (which evolved into the modern English “night”), the German “Nacht,” and the Dutch “nacht.”

This linguistic connection suggests a shared understanding and personification of the night across various Germanic cultures. The reverence and significance attributed to the night, and its embodiment as a deity or entity, likely have deep-seated roots in the collective psyche of the Germanic peoples.

Nótt’s Origins

Nótt’s lineage, as depicted in ancient Norse texts, is both intricate and fascinating. In the “Poetic Edda” and the “Prose Edda”—both seminal works from the 13th century that draw from earlier traditional sources—Nótt is introduced as the daughter of the jötun Nörvi, also known as Narfi. This connection to the jötnar, the giants of Norse mythology, adds a layer of depth to her character, intertwining her with the primal forces of the cosmos.

Nótt’s life is marked by three significant unions, each producing offspring that play pivotal roles in Norse myths. Her first marriage to Naglfari bore a son, Auðr. Following this, Nótt wed Annar, and together they welcomed Jörð, the personified earth, a testament to Nótt’s profound connection to the natural world. 

In her final and perhaps most renowned union, Nótt marries the god Dellingr. From this union springs forth Dagr, embodying the day. Dagr’s radiant appearance, described as inheriting the “brightness and fairness” of Dellingr’s lineage, place him among the Aesir. Contrasting beautifully with Nótt’s nocturnal essence, symbolizing the eternal dance between day and night, between the gods and the jotnar.

Roles And Depiction

In the Norse pantheon, Nótt plays a pivotal role. Her arrival heralds the time for rest, reflection, and dreams. For the gods, her presence is a reminder of the cyclical nature of existence; for humans, she offers a respite from the toils of the day. Each evening, she rides her chariot across the sky, paving the way for her son, Dagr, to follow.

Interestingly, night and day are separate from Sol, the sun goddess and her brother Máni, the god of the moon. You find this is much the same in Greek mythology. They to have separate deities personifying the day and night, and sun and moon.

Myths about Nótt

Nótt, the embodiment of night in Norse mythology, is more than just a passive figure representing darkness. She plays an active role in various myths, showcasing her significance in the grand narrative of the Norse cosmos. While there aren’t a plethora of tales centered around her, the ones that do exist highlight her importance and the roles she plays in the larger tapestry of Norse tales.

Nótt and Dagr’s Journey Across the Sky

One of the most prominent myths involving Nótt revolves around her and her son, Dagr (Day). Odin, the Allfather and chief of the Aesir tribe, recognizing the importance of the cyclical nature of day and night, decided to give both Nótt and Dagr a pivotal role in the daily lives of all beings. He placed them in the sky, each with their own chariot, to ride around the Earth every 24 hours.

Nótt rides ahead of Dagr, her chariot drawn by the horse Hrímfaxi. As she journeys across the sky, the foam from Hrímfaxi’s bit falls to the Earth, manifesting as the morning dew. Following her, Dagr, in his radiant chariot, brings light and warmth, dispelling the darkness left in his mother’s wake. This eternal dance between mother and son, night and day, is a testament to the balance and cyclical nature of the universe in Norse belief.

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Is this article making you even more curious about Norse gods and goddesses? You can satisfy your curiosity by playing a fun Norse mythology quiz. This way, you can test your knowledge about Norse gods and goddesses, as well as fill in some gaps. Good luck and have fun playing!

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Compare and Contrast with the Greek goddess Nyx

Nótt and Nyx, both personifications of the night, share similarities in their roles and significance. However, while Nótt is often seen in conjunction with her son Dagr, representing the balance of night and day, Nyx stands more independently in Greek mythology, often associated with mysteries and the unknown.

Yet, their differences are as stark as night and day. Nyx, in Greek myths, is a primordial deity, born from Chaos, and mother to many other deities like Sleep and Death. Nótt, on the other hand, has a more familial role in Norse tales, emphasizing her relationships and lineage. I want to say that her role seems “simpler” and less deeply developed when compared to Nyx.

Mentions in Ancient Texts

Norse mythology is rich with stories that traverse various realms and introduce us to a host of intriguing characters. One such figure is Nótt, the personification of night. Her story and significance are detailed in two primary sources of Norse lore: the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda. These texts provide insights into Nótt’s lineage, her roles, and her interactions with other beings in the Norse cosmos.

Poetic Edda

Vafþrúðnismál

In the poem Vafþrúðnismál, Odin, under the guise of “Gagnráðr”, seeks knowledge from the jötunn Vafþrúðnir about the origins of day and night. Vafþrúðnir’s response encapsulates the cyclical nature of day and night:

Alvíssmál

In the poem Alvíssmál, Thor asks how night is perceived across the nine worlds. The dwarf Alvíss provides a diverse range of names, reflecting the varied perspectives of different beings:

Sigrdrífumál

In Sigrdrífumál, after the valkyrie Sigrdrífa awakens from her slumber, she offers a prayer that invokes both day and night:

Prose Edda

Gylfaginning

In the Gylfaginning section of the Prose Edda, Nótt’s lineage and her significant unions are detailed. She is described as the daughter of a jötunn named “Norfi or Narfi” and is characterized by her “black and swarthy” appearance. The narrative delves into her three marriages and the offspring they produced. Nótt and her son Dagr journey across the sky, riding their chariots in a continuous cycle.

“Odin took Nótt and her son Dagr, placed them into the sky with a chariot and a horse each, and they ride around the Earth every 24 hours. Nótt rides before Dagr, and foam from her horse Hrímfaxi’s bit sprinkles the Earth.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Featured Image Credit: Peter Nicolai Arbo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons