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Alejandría
Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic
A thorough reference to the many deities, magical beings, mythical places, and ancient customs of the Norse and Germanic regions of Europe
• Explores the legends and origins of well-known gods and figures such as Odin, Thor, Krampus, and the Valkyries, as well as a broad range of magical beings such as the Elf King, the Lorelei, the Perchten, dwarves, trolls, and giants
• Draws upon a wealth of well-known and rare sources, such as the Poetic Edda and The Deeds of the Danes by Saxo Grammaticus
• Examines folktales, myths, and magical beliefs from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and England
The legends of the Norse and Germanic regions of Europe--spanning from Germany and Austria across Scandinavia to Iceland and England--include a broad range of mythical characters and places, from Odin and Thor, to berserkers and Valhalla, to the Valkyries and Krampus. In this encyclopedia, Claude Lecouteux explores the origins, connections, and tales behind many gods, goddesses, magical beings, rituals, folk customs, and mythical places of Norse and Germanic tradition.
More than a reference to the Aesir and the Vanir pantheons, this encyclopedia draws upon a wealth of well-known and rare sources, such as the Poetic Edda , the S aga of Ynglingar by Snorri Sturluson, and The Deeds of the Danes by Saxo Grammaticus. Beyond the famous and infamous Norse gods and goddesses, Lecouteux also provides information on lesser-known figures from ancient Germanic pagan tradition such as the Elf King, the Lorelei, the Perchten, land spirits, fairies, dwarves, trolls, goblins, bogeymen, giants, and many other beings who roam the wild, as well as lengthy articles on well-known figures and events such as Siegfried (Sigurd in Norse) and Ragnarök. The author describes the worship of the elements and trees, details many magical rituals, and shares wild folktales from ancient Europe, such as the strange adventure of Peter Schlemihl and the tale of the Cursed Huntsman. He also dispels the false beliefs that have arisen from the Nazi hijacking of Germanic mythology and from its longtime suppression by Christianity.
Complete with rare illustrations and information from obscure sources appearing for the first time in English, this detailed reference work represents an excellent resource for scholars and those seeking to reconnect to their pagan pasts and restore the old religion.
• Explores the legends and origins of well-known gods and figures such as Odin, Thor, Krampus, and the Valkyries, as well as a broad range of magical beings such as the Elf King, the Lorelei, the Perchten, dwarves, trolls, and giants
• Draws upon a wealth of well-known and rare sources, such as the Poetic Edda and The Deeds of the Danes by Saxo Grammaticus
• Examines folktales, myths, and magical beliefs from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and England
The legends of the Norse and Germanic regions of Europe--spanning from Germany and Austria across Scandinavia to Iceland and England--include a broad range of mythical characters and places, from Odin and Thor, to berserkers and Valhalla, to the Valkyries and Krampus. In this encyclopedia, Claude Lecouteux explores the origins, connections, and tales behind many gods, goddesses, magical beings, rituals, folk customs, and mythical places of Norse and Germanic tradition.
More than a reference to the Aesir and the Vanir pantheons, this encyclopedia draws upon a wealth of well-known and rare sources, such as the Poetic Edda , the S aga of Ynglingar by Snorri Sturluson, and The Deeds of the Danes by Saxo Grammaticus. Beyond the famous and infamous Norse gods and goddesses, Lecouteux also provides information on lesser-known figures from ancient Germanic pagan tradition such as the Elf King, the Lorelei, the Perchten, land spirits, fairies, dwarves, trolls, goblins, bogeymen, giants, and many other beings who roam the wild, as well as lengthy articles on well-known figures and events such as Siegfried (Sigurd in Norse) and Ragnarök. The author describes the worship of the elements and trees, details many magical rituals, and shares wild folktales from ancient Europe, such as the strange adventure of Peter Schlemihl and the tale of the Cursed Huntsman. He also dispels the false beliefs that have arisen from the Nazi hijacking of Germanic mythology and from its longtime suppression by Christianity.
Complete with rare illustrations and information from obscure sources appearing for the first time in English, this detailed reference work represents an excellent resource for scholars and those seeking to reconnect to their pagan pasts and restore the old religion.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2014
33 people are currently reading
530 people want to read
About the author
Claude Lecouteux
63 books138 followersDocteur en études germaniques, docteur en lettres, est médiéviste. Il a occupé la chaire de Langues, Littératures et civilisations germaniques à l'université de Caen de 1981 à 1992 avant d'être appelé à la Sorbonne (Paris IV) pour occuper celle de Littérature et Civilisation allemande du Moyen Âge jusqu'en octobre 2007. Ses axes de recherches sont: Les êtres de la mythologie populaire, Les croyances touchant aux morts et à la mort, Les mythes, contes et légendes, La magie
Ses travaux lui ont valu de recevoir le Prix Strasbourg en 1982, un prix de l’Académie française la même année, d'être fait Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes académiques en 1995 et Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres en 2006. Jusqu'en décembre 2010, il dirige la revue La grande Oreille, arts de l’oralité et collabore à plusieurs revues sur le Moyen Âge.
Ses travaux lui ont valu de recevoir le Prix Strasbourg en 1982, un prix de l’Académie française la même année, d'être fait Chevalier de l’Ordre des Palmes académiques en 1995 et Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres en 2006. Jusqu'en décembre 2010, il dirige la revue La grande Oreille, arts de l’oralité et collabore à plusieurs revues sur le Moyen Âge.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 16, 2020
So because perusing all of The A to Z and very much extensive sections of Claude Lecouteux’s (and translated from the original French by Jon E. Graham) Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic would take ages and likely be massively repetitive to boot (and really, just like with most dictionaries or encyclopedias, Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic is of course not really a book one would generally ever be reading from cover to cover anyhow, but consulting and making use of as necessary and required), I decided to only intensely read and analyse four of the featured letter sections (from A to D), as well as of course, reading the introductory materials of Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic and to finally also check out the included bibliography.
And yes indeed, the general set-up of Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic is definitely impressive and in my opinion, what Professor Lecouteux (and by extension translator Jon E. Graham) have penned theme and text wise is also and happily exceedingly well researched, academically sound and for the most part also presented in an engagingly educational style of written expression, a true treasure trove of knowledge and information and not just with regard to Norse and Germanic mythology but also showing information and details on the varied folk traditions of Scandinavia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland etc. and how many of these of course do harken back to the myths of the Aesir, the Vanir, to the pantheon of Norse and Germanic myth (and oh wow, I also really do so much appreciate that that in the A to Z sections of Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic there are presented short suggestions for further reading and study that then will lead interested readers to the more extensive and detailed bibliographic lists at the back of the book).
Highly recommended as one of the best and most complete reference guides to Norse and Germanic mythology and folklore I have read to date, my only reason for not being willing to grant a full five stars to Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic is that I do very much wish that in the introductory sections, Claude Lecouteux had featured more information about and concerning how Norse and Germanic mythology compare and contrast with other Indo-European traditions (with Celtic, Latin, Greek, Hindu, Persian etc. mythology) and yes, that the otherwise excellent footnotes would also include publication dates (and this especially since the footnote sources are generally not included in the bibliography, and truly, I personally cannot really understand why there are no publication dates included in the footnotes, as well, when I was writing my academic term papers at university, any footnotes or endnotes always needed to also feature the publication dates, unless there of course were none).
And yes indeed, the general set-up of Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic is definitely impressive and in my opinion, what Professor Lecouteux (and by extension translator Jon E. Graham) have penned theme and text wise is also and happily exceedingly well researched, academically sound and for the most part also presented in an engagingly educational style of written expression, a true treasure trove of knowledge and information and not just with regard to Norse and Germanic mythology but also showing information and details on the varied folk traditions of Scandinavia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland etc. and how many of these of course do harken back to the myths of the Aesir, the Vanir, to the pantheon of Norse and Germanic myth (and oh wow, I also really do so much appreciate that that in the A to Z sections of Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic there are presented short suggestions for further reading and study that then will lead interested readers to the more extensive and detailed bibliographic lists at the back of the book).
Highly recommended as one of the best and most complete reference guides to Norse and Germanic mythology and folklore I have read to date, my only reason for not being willing to grant a full five stars to Encyclopedia of Norse and Germanic Folklore, Mythology, and Magic is that I do very much wish that in the introductory sections, Claude Lecouteux had featured more information about and concerning how Norse and Germanic mythology compare and contrast with other Indo-European traditions (with Celtic, Latin, Greek, Hindu, Persian etc. mythology) and yes, that the otherwise excellent footnotes would also include publication dates (and this especially since the footnote sources are generally not included in the bibliography, and truly, I personally cannot really understand why there are no publication dates included in the footnotes, as well, when I was writing my academic term papers at university, any footnotes or endnotes always needed to also feature the publication dates, unless there of course were none).
February 12, 2026
En español forma parte de la colección "Alejandría" de la editorial Olañeta que está dedicada a diccionarios y enciclopedias. Como tal, es un compendio buenísimo de folklore y leyendas germánicas, con especial atención al ciclo de los nibelungos y a las distintas figuras del panteón germano, como Wotan. El material gráfico de la edición en español es de primer nivel, incluye pinturas y grabados, fotos de runas y objetos y detalle de joyería y armaduras.
Para cualquier interesado en mitología es un material imprescindible.
Para cualquier interesado en mitología es un material imprescindible.
February 24, 2020
Exactly what the title says: an encyclopedia. It looks quite complete to me.
March 31, 2017
It's a dictionary not an encyclopedia. When i first bought it I thought it's gonna introduce me to norse and germanic mythology. But it's just a dictionary A-Z with no relation whatsoever with the order except of alphabetical.
December 14, 2016
The ancient Germanic beliefs, religion and social customs (i.e. paganism to the Church) was forcibly attacked by the Christian Church, but also so successfully incorporated into the Christian culture, that only scattered fragments of the pagan ways has remained.
This encyclopedia provides a reference to the many deities, magical creatures, elves, dwarves, trolls, goblins, bogeymen, giants, land spirits, water spirits, mythical places, legends and ancient customs of the Norse and Germanic regions of Europe. In addition, Claude Lecouteux explores the origins, connections, and tales behind the many gods, goddesses, spirits, elves, rituals, folk customs, and mythical places of Norse and Germanic tradition.
The author makes use of various primary and secondary sources, such as the Poetic and Prose Edda, the Saga of Ynglingar by Snorri Sturluson, the History of the Danes by Saxo Grammaticus, several works of the Grimm Brothers, the Saga of the Volsungs, Caesar's Gallic Wars, the Nibelungenlied, and Beowulf.
I found this encyclopedia to be a useful reference to pagan mythology, and was especially pleased with the inclusion of continental mythology, legends and creatures. The illustrations included in this book are also charming and useful for a researcher.
This encyclopedia provides a reference to the many deities, magical creatures, elves, dwarves, trolls, goblins, bogeymen, giants, land spirits, water spirits, mythical places, legends and ancient customs of the Norse and Germanic regions of Europe. In addition, Claude Lecouteux explores the origins, connections, and tales behind the many gods, goddesses, spirits, elves, rituals, folk customs, and mythical places of Norse and Germanic tradition.
The author makes use of various primary and secondary sources, such as the Poetic and Prose Edda, the Saga of Ynglingar by Snorri Sturluson, the History of the Danes by Saxo Grammaticus, several works of the Grimm Brothers, the Saga of the Volsungs, Caesar's Gallic Wars, the Nibelungenlied, and Beowulf.
I found this encyclopedia to be a useful reference to pagan mythology, and was especially pleased with the inclusion of continental mythology, legends and creatures. The illustrations included in this book are also charming and useful for a researcher.
January 29, 2019
It was not the best translation. I found it useful but incomplete
May 16, 2022
This book did exactly what I hoped it would. I was looking to improve my general understanding of some of the lesser-known tales from Norse and Germanic mythology and folktales. The information was mostly general. The entries for each creature/mythical figure were usually no more than a paragraph in length, but the citations were helpful to direct me to more detailed information. Overall, this is a good resource, and I found it an interesting read.
March 27, 2021
This is a magnificent resource -- I have yet to not be completely impressed by Lecouteux.
August 13, 2020
Otro interesante libro de Claude Lecouteux, profesor de lenguas y literatura alemanas y hermanas que nos da un tour completo por los dioses, diosas, lugares y maravillas de las Eddas y demás mitos germánicos. La verdad es que recomendaría leer antes los mitos o algunos de ellos, porque el diccionario maneja nombres muy complicados y términos que le van a decir más a los que ya conocen de que se habla.
May 10, 2020
Utile ma come complementare, non esaustivo da solo.
Come da titolo, il libro è un'ottima aggiunta ad altri del suo genere, con informazioni utili e approfondite su alcuni termini, tuttavia non esaustivo se preso da solo. Io l'ho abbinato ad altri libri della mitologia germanica e norrena, riuscendo così ad avere una visione molto più completa.
Come da titolo, il libro è un'ottima aggiunta ad altri del suo genere, con informazioni utili e approfondite su alcuni termini, tuttavia non esaustivo se preso da solo. Io l'ho abbinato ad altri libri della mitologia germanica e norrena, riuscendo così ad avere una visione molto più completa.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews