Translations / modern equivalents are given in brackets {}
Nidhogg or Nidhoggr is the Dragon, which inhabits the underworld Niflheim
{dark world} in Norse mythology.
The name Nidhogg has been variously translated as 'striking full of
hatred' and 'dread biter'.
Living by the root of Yggdrasill the World Ash, in a pit of serpents,
Nidhogg feeds on the bodies of the dead at Hvergelmir {the bubbling cauldron}
the spring in Niflheim which is the source of the rivers of the world. When not
feeding upon the dead Nidhogg gnaws at the root of Yggdrasill and sends taunting
messages to the eagle perched in its high branches via the squirrel Ratatosk.
Ratatosk in turn brings the eagles taunts back to Nidhogg.
In the act of gnawing the root, Nidhogg joins the four stags Dainn,
Dvalinn, Duneyr and Durathor who graze the leaves and bark of Yggdrasill higher
up.
Nidhogg rises at Ragnarok, bringing up the corpses of the dead to join
battle. The dragon however survives to continue its existence in the new order
that follows. Sources have suggested that Nidhogg's continued presence in the
new world is to provide an evil balance to the new good. This could simply be an
aspect of the christian projection of the dragon as evil and I leave the reader
to decide in their own mind.
Gylfaginning {the tricking of Gylfi} - 14,52
Volustha {the prophesy of the seeress} - 39,66
Grimnismal {the lay of Grimnir} - 32,35
Gods Of The North - Brian Branston
Dictionary Of Northern Mythology - Rudolf Simek
Poetic Edda - Caroline Larrington (translator)
Edda - Snorri Sturluson
The Norse Myths - Kevin Crossley-Holland