ORIGIN: Icelandic
TYPE: God of Wisdom and inspiration
KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP: Viking period (circa CE 700) and possibly earlier until Christianization (circa CE 1100)
SYNONYMS: Mimr; Mimi; Mim.
ART REFERENCES: none known but possibly the subject of anonymous carvings.
LITERARY SOURCES: Icelandic codices; Prose Edda (Snorri)
INFORMATION: An Aesir god who lives in the world of the Frost Giants. He guards the well of knowledge, filled by a spring which flows beneath the World Tree, Yggdrasil, and which is supplied from the primeval waters. The god Othin drank from the spring to acquire knowledge, having forfeited one of his eyes to Mimir. Said to be the wisest among the gods. According to some sources he was sent as hostage to the Vanir in their war with the Aesir and was killed by them (See Othin). Some authors argue that he is more properly a giant than a god. Said to be accompanied often by the silent god Hoenir. Mimir warns Othin of the final onslaught at Ragnarok (Doom).