Muspelheim

Muspelheim, also known as Múspellheim or Muspell, is a realm in Norse mythology understood as the world of fire. It is one of the Nine Worlds and is typically described as a land of heat, flame, and lava, often placed to the south in traditional accounts. The realm is associated with fiery landscapes and is inhabited by fire giants, among them the rulers led by Surtr, a figure who bears a flaming sword and is linked to the coming catastrophe at Ragnarok.

In Norse cosmogony, Muspelheim exists alongside Niflheim, the world of ice. The two realms are separated by Ginnungagap, the primordial void. When the heat of Muspelheim meets the cold of Niflheim, ice begins to melt and life emerges, including frost giants such as Ymir. From this and related myths, the later generation of the gods is said to fashion the world, using the body of Ymir to form the earth while other remnants become features of the world. The interaction of fire and ice in Ginnungagap frames the creation narrative central to many Norse sources.

Muspelheim also features prominently in the ascribed events of Ragnarok. Surtr and the forces from Muspelheim are described as marching against the gods, with the realm’s fire bringing devastation to the cosmos. Whether the world is ultimately reborn after these fires varies by account, but the cycle of destruction and renewal is a recurring theme in the mythology surrounding Muspelheim.