undirmál

Undirmál is a term with origins in Old Norse, often translated as "underground" or "below the world." It is commonly associated with the realms of the dead or the underworld in Norse mythology. While not a single, clearly defined location, it represents a general area where spirits and deceased beings reside. The inhabitants and specific characteristics of undirmál vary across different myths and sagas, but it generally signifies a place removed from the living world. Some interpretations suggest it is a dark and somber realm, while others hint at more nuanced conditions depending on the individual's life and death. It is distinct from Asgard, the realm of the gods, and Midgard, the realm of humans. The concept of undirmál serves as a fundamental element in understanding the Norse worldview regarding mortality and the afterlife.