MANHEIM (abode of man), a name often given to Midgard, or the earth.
MEGINGARD (girdle of strength), name of Thor’s belt, which had the faculty of doubling his force when he girded himself with it.
MIDGARD, name given to the earth, as being in the middle region between Asagard and Utgard.
MIMER, an Asa, the god of eloquence and of wisdom; he sits by the wave of Urda, called the fountain of wisdom, of which he is the guardian, and which springs near the ash-tree Yggdrassil. Urda is the destiny of the past, so that the allegory is clear; by consulting the records of the past, we gain wisdom and experience.
MIÖLNER (breaker in pieces), name of Thor’s hammer, type of the thunderbolt.
MOKKURKALF, name of a gigantic figure made of clay, and animated by the giants, that he might aid them against Thor. They gave to him the heart of a horse. This may allude to the custom among many heathen nations of consecrating an idol of clay, wood or stone, by putting therein the heart of a man, or of some animal. Mokkurkalf was slain by Tialf.
MUSPEL, MUSPELHEIM, name given to the region of fire and heat which lies to the south of Ginnungagap, and from whence at Ragnarok, Surtur will collect flames, and set fire to the universe. Flames are often termed by the Scalds “the children of Muspel.”
NAGLEFARE (ship of nails), name of a bark or vessel built by the giants. As its name imports, it was built of men’s nails. On board of this vessel, the giants will embark at Ragnarok, to give battle to the gods. The giants are continually at work to increase its size; hence, those who neglect to cut off the nails from the hands and feet of dead men, contribute to the building of this vessel, and to the mischief that will ensue from it. The popular belief of the continuation of the growth of the hair and nails after death, has probably contributed to this mythe.
NANNA, an Asynia, the wife of Balder, renowned for her piety and constancy. At his death she threw herself on his funeral pile, and was burned with him.
NARF, name of a giant, the father of Night, and also the name of one of Asa-Lok’s sons by Sigyn.