A troll is a being in Nordic folklore, including Norse mythology. In Old Norse sources, beings described as trolls dwell in isolated areas of rocks, mountains, or caves, live together in small family units, and are rarely helpful to human beings. Trolls date back all the way to ancient Norse and Viking culture, appearing in the oldest definitive text on Norse culture, the Prose Edda.
Still the evolution of the Troll, as a recognizable species, is confusing. Troll, in early Scandinavian folklore, giant, monstrous being, sometimes possessing magic powers. Hostile to men, trolls lived in castles and haunted the surrounding districts after dark.
If exposed to sunlight they burst or turned to stone. In later tales trolls often are man. How much do you really know about trolls in Norway? Far more than a tacky figurine lined up on a gift shop shelf, Norwegian trolls are steeped in mythology.
The origins of troll legends can be traced back to the early medieval period in Scandinavia, where they were thought to embody the dangers and fears associated with the untamed wilderness. As folklore evolved, trolls became integral to Norse mythology, symbolizing humanity's struggle against the natural world and the unknown. Norse trolls are more than mere creatures of mythology and folklore; they are symbols of the human connection to the natural world and its mysteries.
Their stories, rich with themes of courage, cunning, and the quest for knowledge, continue to inspire and entertain. Trolls are a fascinating part of Norse mythology. In this article I am exploring their Viking Age roots and evolution through time.
Today, you can ask any Norwegian what a troll looks like, and the answers will be very similar, thanks to the Norwegian painter Theodor Kittelsen. Kittelsen is known for his illustrations of Norwegian folklore, and his work has characterized Norwegians' notions of trolls and other mythical creatures. Norse mythology has given many unique creatures, myths, and symbols to the world, and chief among them are the various types of Norse trolls.
Typically depicted as large, grotesque, physically strong, and relatively dim-witted, Norse trolls have permeated modern culture. And are Norwegian trolls lucky? Read on to find out all you need to know about Scandinavian trolls. What is the role of trolls in Norse mythology? The first mention of trolls in Nordic mythology was in the thirteenth century when they featured in the Prose Edda, a collection of Old Norse mythological poems.