Eldönten

Eldönten is a term originating from Old Norse, often translated as "fate of the gods" or "destiny of the gods." It refers to the apocalyptic final battle in Norse mythology, a pivotal event that marks the end of the current world and the beginning of a new one. This cataclysmic struggle is primarily described in the Poetic Edda, particularly in the prophecy of the Völuspá.

The Eldönten involves the Æsir gods, led by Odin, battling against the forces of chaos and destruction, primarily the giants and the monstrous serpent Jörmungandr, as well as the fire giant Surtr and his kin. Key figures on both sides are destined to perish, including Odin himself, who will be devoured by the wolf Fenrir. Thor will slay Jörmungandr but will succumb to its venom.

Despite the immense destruction and the loss of many gods, the Eldönten is not depicted as a purely negative event. It is also a necessary cleansing that paves the way for renewal. After the battle, a new, righteous generation of gods will emerge, and a surviving human couple, Líf and Lífþrasir, will repopulate the earth, ushering in an era of peace and prosperity. The concept of Eldönten highlights the cyclical nature of creation and destruction within Norse cosmology.