Woden (also Odin), the supreme deity of the ancient Germanic peoples, was venerated across Northern Europe. Rituals included leaving sheaves of grain in the fields for his horses and game in the woods for his hunt. The figure of Woden merged with Odin in Norse mythology and was later associated with ‘God’ following the Christianization of Germanic populations. Scholars have noted analogies with Buddhist figures such as Buddha (Xacca) due to mythological syncretism.
Woden
Creature Types: Other
Mythological/Cultural Origins: Germanic, Norse
Roles/Functions in Lore: Ruler, Supreme Deity
Literary Sources/Traditions: Germanic Mythology, Norse Eddas
Historical/Legendary Time Periods: Pre-Christian Era
Attributes/Powers: Godhood, Syncretism
Alignments/Moral Standings: Benevolent
