Woden

Woden is the Old English form of the name of the Norse god Odin, the chief deity in the Germanic pantheon. In Anglo-Saxon and earlier Germanic tradition, Woden was a god of wisdom, magic, poetry, prophecy, war, and death, often depicted as a powerful, far-seeing figure who could grant knowledge and influence to his followers. He appears in heroic poetry, religious poetry, and various historical sources from the early medieval period.

Etymology and cognates are central to understanding Woden. The name is cognate with Old Norse Odin, Old High German Wodan, and other Germanic forms, all derived from Proto-Germanic *Wōđinaz. The root *wōđ- is associated with inspiration, ecstasy, and frenzy, reflecting his roles as a source of poetic and magical power.

Mythology and portraits of Woden emphasize his wanderings and his quest for knowledge. He sacrificed one eye for wisdom at Mimir’s well, and he hung on the world tree, Yggdrasil, for nine nights to learn the runes and other truths. He is often depicted with two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, which bring him information from across the world, and with the wolves Geri and Freki. His influence extends to rulers, warriors, and seers, underscoring his association with prophecy, magic, and governance.

Woden in Anglo-Saxon England left a mark on language and place-names. The form Woden is tied to the weekday name Wodnesdæg (Wednesday), and various toponyms preserve references to him, indicating his prominence in early English religious life even as Christianization progressed.

In modern times, Woden remains a subject of scholarship and appears in neopagan traditions and in contemporary fantasy literature as a variant or revival of Odin.