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Niffleheim

Niffleheim, traditionally spelled "Niflheim", is one of the Ten Realms. It is the far northern region of icy fogs and mists, darkness and cold. It is situated on the lowest level of the universe. The realm of death, Hel, is part of this vast, cold region, as is Nastrond, the Shore of Corpses across the Gjoll, where the dragon Nidhogg eats corpses. Niffleheim lies beneath the third root of Yggdrasil, the World Tree, where Nidhogg also gnaws on this root close to the spring Hvergelmir.[citation needed]

Map of Niffleheim

Map of Niffleheim

Geography[]

Ginnungagap ("yawning abyss") was the vast, primordial void that existed prior to the creation of the manifest universe. In the northern part of Ginnungagap lay the intense cold of Niffleheim, and to the southern part lay the equally intense heat of Muspelheim. The cosmogonic process began when the effulgence of the two met in the middle of Ginnungagap. This created the Ten Realms.[7]

In Niffleheim there was located the eldest of the three wells, called Hvergelmir, protected by the dragon Nidhogg. Hvergelmir was the origin of all beings and the place where every being will return.[citation needed]

Elivagar ("unknown waves" or "poisonous stream") were the 12 streams flowing out of the Hvergelmir. The Elivagar filled the emptiness of Ginnungagap and froze in the regions of Niffleheim.[citation needed]

Like the primal cow, Audumbla, the Ice Giant Ymir was created when the hot fire of Muspelheim sprayed to the Elivagar's glacier. The cow Audumbla licked the salty ice blocks until Buri came forth from them.[citation needed]

Regions[]

  • Hel (or Helheim) is located in Niffleheim. The ruler of Hel is Hela and its guardian is the Hellhound Garm ("Howl"), who was located in front of Gnipahellir, the cavern entrance to the Helway leading to Gjallerbru across the Gjoll.[8]
    • Nastrond ("Corpse-Strand"), in the land of the dead, is where stands Eljudnir ("Plague"), the hall of Hel, past the Valgrindr.[8]
  • Midhogg
  • Pleasure Lands
  • Shadow Lands

Politics and Leadership[]

Alternate Versions[]

Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes (Earth-8096)[]

When Baron Zemo used the Norn Stones, Captain America was transported to Niffleheim and to the region known as Hel.[11] Cap was tormented by the souls of the Howling Commandos. They wanted to convince him to give up and enjoy the reward that Cap deserved, but the latter realized that the real Commandos would not give up without a fight and he dispersed the souls off. Then he confronted Hela and demanded her to teleport him to Asgard to fight Loki. She granted his request on one condition: if he died in battle, then his soul would belong to her forever. He accepted and was transported to Asgard.[12]

Marvel Cinematic Universe (Earth-199999)[]

Niffleheim appeared during the Convergence of Realms that occurred every 5,000 years.[13]