About
WODAN
Wodan, the name
Wodan was chosen as a working title for this database project. The name was suggested by collaborating partner Otto Brinkkemper, who was working on a prototype database for wooden objects in the Netherlands in 2007.
The name ‘Wodan’ refers to an ancient Germanic sky god (synonym to Odin in Norse mythology). He was known as Wóden or Wotan to the Saxons. He is the god of wisdom, war and magic. The day Wednesday was named after him.
Wodan/Odin has several attributes, including a eight-legged horse, a spear, two wolves and two ravens.
The two ravens, Huginn and Muninn (thought and memory), inform him about news about both living and dead. These ravens occur in the logo of the database project.
Wodan, some stories
Over time (from the 2nd century BC into the Medieval period) the description as well as the importance of this god changes. Also there are regional differences between Wodan, Wóden and Odin.
The Anglo-Saxon kings claimed to be descended from Wóden. Odin was named the Alfadir (Allfather), because he is one of the creators of the world. In Norse mythology, Odin was the father of the gods Balder, Hodr, and Hermod (with Frigg), Thor (by Jörd) and Vidar (by Grid) and Vali (with Rindr). Another name is ‘the wanderer’ because Odin is always travelling, and meeting with people, to acquire new knowledge. He can change shape and thus have lots of adventures.
He is a god of war and death, bringing his people into a state of craziness, so that they cannot feel pain or fear. This craze is reminiscent of the Irish mythical hero Cú Chulainn.
Wodan/Odin is also associated with intellectual achievements, wisdom and magic. This includes poetry, healing and the creation of runes. He underwent 9 days and 9 nights of extreme pain, hanging from the World Ash Yggdrasil, eventually pierced by his own spear, so that he could gain knowledge. In this way, he learned 9 magical songs and 18 magic runes. Similarly, he sacrificed an eye for a drink from the waters of wisdom in Mimir’s well. Mimir gave him the ravens then, too. Odin also worked for a year as a farmhand for Baugi, so he could get the mead of poetry.
In Norse mythology, Odin’s hall (Valaskjálf) is in Valhalla. He watches all events in the 9 worlds from his throne (Hlidskjalf) receiving news from his 2 ravens. He has several magical possessions. These are the spear Gungnir, which never misses its target and a ring (Draupnir) which produces 8 new rings every 9 nights. He rides on an eight-legged horse (Sleipnir) accompanied by two wolves (Freki and Geri) who eat his food (but he himself lives on wine only). Odin will be killed by Fenrir on the eve of Ragnarok.
Wodan/Odin has only one eye, and one wonders whether this god could have some connections with the planet Jupiter or constellation Canis major. After all, he is a sky god and he produced a lot of offspring (moons?). However, a connection with the Roman god Mercurius, is suggested.
