Þrískipting

Thrískipting is an Old Norse term that translates to "tripartition" or "division into three parts." It refers to a concept found in some Indo-European mythologies and cosmologies, particularly those of the Germanic peoples, where the world or society is understood as being structured into three distinct realms or classes.

This concept is often seen as reflecting a social or cosmic order. In a social context, it could represent the tripartite division of society into priests, warriors, and producers (farmers, artisans). In a cosmic sense, it might describe the division of the universe into the heavens, the earth, and the underworld.

The most well-known expression of this concept in Norse mythology is the tripartite division of society attributed to the god Heimdallr in the Rígsþula poem. Heimdallr, disguised as Ríg, fathers sons who embody these three social strata: Jarl (nobility/rulers), Karl (freemen/farmers), and Thrall (slaves). This poem illustrates how the social order was conceived as a divinely ordained hierarchy.

Beyond social structures, the idea of three realms also appears in other contexts. For example, the Norse cosmos is often envisioned with distinct regions, though not always a strict three-part division in every interpretation. The tripartite worldview, emphasizing order and distinct functional roles, was a significant element in the conceptual framework of early Germanic societies.