These nine realms are united by Yggdrasil, which is usually depicted as a giant evergreen ash tree. If Yggdrasil were to fall, all of creation would fall with it, thus Yggdrasil is called the tree of life.
Muspelheim and Ragnarok
According to Zhelyazkov, the fiery land of Muspelheim not only gives life, but it will also take it away. “Just as the realm of fire helped give birth to the orderly world of the gods, so it will help take it back and return the universe to chaos,” Zhelyazkov said.
Surtr, the king of Muspelheim, is considered a key figure who plays a significant role in the events of Ragnarok – the apocalypse in Norse belief. When Ragnarok approaches, Surtr will ignite a fire and be ready for battle. Surtr’s sword will burn brighter than the sun and he will use it to kill the Vanir god, Freyr, in the final battle.
After that, Surtr will send his fire giants across the Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge, and his army will sweep through the land like wildfire. Of course, he won’t be alone. He will have the help of his allies, including the god Loki who has betrayed him and the souls of the dead he has taken from Helheim.
They flock to Asgard, to create chaos and destruction. This is in line with how the Norse view the cycle of the world: “What comes from chaos will eventually return to it.”
