Study › Runes & Norse › Bifrost
Bifrost is the rainbow bridge of Norse mythology that joins Midgard, the human world, to Asgard, the home of the gods. Its colours are fire, so the frost giants cannot cross it, and the god Heimdall guards it.
What is Bifrost?
Bifrost is the burning rainbow bridge that links Midgard to Asgard, the road the gods ride between the worlds. Its shimmering colours are said to be flame, which is why frost giants cannot cross it. The gods ride over it each day to hold council at the Well of Urd.
Heimdall's watch and the bridge's fall
The bridge is watched over by the ever-vigilant god Heimdall, who needs less sleep than a bird and can see for a hundred leagues by day or night. He guards Bifrost against the giants and will sound the horn Gjallarhorn to wake the gods when Ragnarok comes. In that final battle the fire giants of Muspelheim will ride across Bifrost and break it beneath them.
It joins Midgard to Asgard, and its guard is Heimdall.
Questions
What does Bifrost mean?
It is usually read as "the shimmering way".
Who guards Bifrost?
Heimdall, the watchman of the gods.
What happens to Bifrost at Ragnarok?
It breaks under the fire giants of Muspelheim as they ride over it.