Wyrd Designs - Musings on Odin’s Ravens and Wolves
originally posted May 22, 2011 on patheos
Among the many descriptions of Odin, we see that he is described as having a pair of ravens, and a pair of wolves.
Thanks to some nature specials I watched recently when I couldn’t sleep, I discovered that ravens tend to mate for life. While pre-adult ravens may live and work together in groups with other ravens, when they hit adult status about 4 years into their 40 year or so life-span they then become extremely territorial. The only time adult ravens will be seen together (peaceably) out in nature (be it the woodlands or the urban jungle) is when they are a mated pair.
This makes me wonder if Odin’s ravens Hugin (Thought) and Munin (memory) may in fact be a mated pair.
Another interesting tidbit, is that while wolves may exist in packs, they (like ravens) also tend to mate for life. And the only animal besides a fellow pack-mate that they would share their food with is a raven. Could Odin’s wolves, Geri and Freki, also be a mated pair? Or are they just packmates?
These are some of the musings that come upon me when after 4 hours sleep I am awaken by a hail storm and unable to go back to sleep. While most of this is speculation, it does prove to my mind one point: that these ancient peoples were far more aware of the natural order of the world and observations of those items, than we are today.
So, what do you think about these possibilities? Are Odin’s ravens and wolves, mated pairs or not? And if so, which is the male and female in the pair? Please share your thoughts below!
Among the many descriptions of Odin, we see that he is described as having a pair of ravens, and a pair of wolves.
Thanks to some nature specials I watched recently when I couldn’t sleep, I discovered that ravens tend to mate for life. While pre-adult ravens may live and work together in groups with other ravens, when they hit adult status about 4 years into their 40 year or so life-span they then become extremely territorial. The only time adult ravens will be seen together (peaceably) out in nature (be it the woodlands or the urban jungle) is when they are a mated pair.
This makes me wonder if Odin’s ravens Hugin (Thought) and Munin (memory) may in fact be a mated pair.
Another interesting tidbit, is that while wolves may exist in packs, they (like ravens) also tend to mate for life. And the only animal besides a fellow pack-mate that they would share their food with is a raven. Could Odin’s wolves, Geri and Freki, also be a mated pair? Or are they just packmates?
These are some of the musings that come upon me when after 4 hours sleep I am awaken by a hail storm and unable to go back to sleep. While most of this is speculation, it does prove to my mind one point: that these ancient peoples were far more aware of the natural order of the world and observations of those items, than we are today.
So, what do you think about these possibilities? Are Odin’s ravens and wolves, mated pairs or not? And if so, which is the male and female in the pair? Please share your thoughts below!