What signals the start of Ragnarok and why does it happen?

Question

I understand the events of Ragnarok and what happens to the Gods etc. but why does it happen and what signals its start? I read in a book that it was the death of Sigurd and Brynhild that may have been a signal that Ragnarok was going to happen but is this what's written in the poems?

Answer 1

Not sure, but I AM sure that someone is scowering through the poems looking for any mention of the year 2012!

:)

Answer 2

The myth goes that Ragnarok will be preluded by Fimbulvintr, a winter that will last the length of 3 normal winters. But that being said there will be many signals before Ragnarok, Baldr's death, Loki's binding, and that Loki and Garmr break the bonds placed on them to gather their forces. Odinn first sees the signals of Ragnarok when Loki returns to Aegir's drinking hall to ridicule the gods.

But the main 'agreed on' signal for the actualy beginning of Ragnarok is that Hiemdall will blow Gjallerhorn, and at this the gods will assemble their armies.

The main Skald (poem) on Ragnarok; the Voluspa, bears no mention to Sigurd and neither Byrnhild in that context.

Ragnarok was seen as the sort of the climatical battle between the two main forces on the 9 worlds of Norse Mythology - the Cultured and Honourable Aesir and Vanir (the Gods) and the wild and uncontrolable Giants. Ragnarok happens less as a battle bewteen good and evil as it is between society and the wild, a conflict that is really unavoidable.

Answer 3

This might help you some.

http://www.pantheon.org/articles/r/ragna...