Mimir: Head of Wisdom

In many popular depictions, Mimir is portrayed as just a head. According to Norse mythology, Odin sacrifices his eye to Mimir’s Well for wisdom and carries Mimir’s head as a trusted advisor.

Who was Mimir?

Dr. Jackson Crawford suggests that Mimir may have always been just a head. This draws parallels to Celtic mythology, where severed heads impart wisdom. This connection may reflect cross-cultural influences in prehistory or even the origins of the Celtic tradition itself. The name Mimir comes from an atypical Old Norse word for “memory.”

Mimir’s Well

Mímir’s well holds wisdom, perhaps the memory of the whole cosmos. According to Snorri, Mímir drinks from it with the horn Gjallarhorn, the same name as the horn Heimdallr will sound at Ragnarök. The well lies beneath the root of Yggdrasil that reaches toward Jötunheim, land of the giants. Crawford suggests Mímir may himself be a giant, given the well’s location and the fact that the Völuspá says ‘Mím’s sons’ stir into play as Ragnarök begins.

In one myth, Odin meets Mimir at Mimir’s Well and asks to drink from the well. Mimir says it will cost Odin an eye. Odin removes his own eye and pays the price to receive wisdom.

Mimir’s Alternate Story

Snorri Sturluson, who often contradicts himself, also tells a different origin story in Ynglinga saga, the opening of his history of the Norwegian kings. Crawford suggests Snorri may have learned more between his writings. Or perhaps Mímir simply refuses to be neatly categorized.

In a hostage exchange with the Vanir, the Aesir sent Honir and Mimir, the wisest man, to Vanaheim. Honir became a chieftain, and Mimir advised him. When Honir faced a problem and Mimir was not around, he would say, “Let others decide.” This made the Vanir suspicious, leading them to believe they had been deceived and were sent the wrong men.

The Vanir cut off Mímir’s head and sent it back to the Æsir. Odin preserved it with herbs and chanted spells over it, and ever after the head spoke to him and told him hidden things.