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Odin vs. Jesus — What's the Difference?

By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 22, 2024
Odin, a major god in Norse mythology, is known for wisdom and war, while Jesus, central in Christianity, embodies love, sacrifice, and redemption.
Odin vs. Jesus — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Odin and Jesus

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Key Differences

Odin, as a principal deity in Norse mythology, presides over aspects such as war, wisdom, and death. On the other hand, Jesus Christ is revered in Christianity primarily for His teachings of love, forgiveness, and salvation.
Odin is often depicted as a fierce, one-eyed god, wandering in search of knowledge, even sacrificing his eye for wisdom. In contrast, Jesus is portrayed as a figure of compassion and healing, performing miracles and offering his life for humanity’s sins.
In terms of worship, Odin was venerated by the Norse with rituals that included sacrifices, often of animals, to gain favor or divine insight. Whereas, Jesus’s followers practice rituals such as prayer and communion, symbolizing His sacrificial death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins.
Odin’s tales, such as those from the Poetic Edda and Prose Edda, portray him as a complex figure with many adventures involving gods, giants, and humans. Conversely, the story of Jesus is told through the Gospels, focusing on His birth, teachings, crucifixion, and resurrection.
The legacy of Odin influences modern cultures, seen in literature, days of the week (Wednesday, or Odin’s day), and popular media. Jesus’s influence is profound and widespread, impacting art, calendar systems, and global ethics, reflecting a message of peace and charity.
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Comparison Chart

Domain

War, wisdom, death
Love, forgiveness, salvation

Symbolism

One-eyed, spear, raven
Cross, fish, bread and wine

Worship Practices

Sacrifices, runes
Prayer, sacraments, charity

Key Texts

Poetic Edda, Prose Edda
Bible (Gospels)

Cultural Impact

Literature, modern media, days of week
Calendar, ethics, art, global culture

Compare with Definitions

Odin

Depicted as a wanderer, often disguised among mortals.
Odin traveled the Earth in disguise to understand the plight of humans.

Jesus

Central figure of Christianity, believed to be the Son of God and savior of humanity.
Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas.

Odin

Worshipped as a god of the elite and rulers, often seeking his blessing for victory.
Ancient Norse warriors invoked Odin’s name for strength in battle.

Jesus

Often depicted with symbolic items like the cross, crown of thorns, and lamb.
Artistic representations of Jesus often include the symbols of his crucifixion and sacrifice.

Odin

Symbolized by his spear, Gungnir, and his magical horse, Sleipnir.
Odin rides Sleipnir across the skies and into the underworld.

Jesus

Emphasized the importance of prayer and a personal relationship with God.
Jesus taught his disciples the Lord’s Prayer as a model of prayer.

Odin

Known for his quest for knowledge, sacrificing his eye for wisdom.
Odin sacrificed his eye at Mimir’s well to gain the wisdom of the ages.

Jesus

Known for his teachings on love, mercy, and forgiveness.
Jesus taught the parable of the Good Samaritan to illustrate compassion.

Odin

Chief god in Norse mythology, associated with war, wisdom, and sorcery.
Odin is often shown with his two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, who bring him news from around the world.

Jesus

Crucified and resurrected, his death is seen as atonement for sin.
Easter commemorates Jesus’s resurrection and victory over death.

Odin

Odin (; from Old Norse: Óðinn, IPA: [ˈoːðenː]) is a widely revered god in Germanic mythology. Norse mythology, the source of most surviving information about him, associates Odin with wisdom, healing, death, royalty, the gallows, knowledge, war, battle, victory, sorcery, poetry, frenzy, and the runic alphabet, and depicts him as the husband of the goddess Frigg.

Jesus

Jesus (Greek: Ἰησοῦς, romanized: Iēsoûs, likely from Hebrew/Aramaic: יֵשׁוּעַ‎, romanized: Yēšūaʿ), c. 4 BC – AD 30 / 33, also referred to as Jesus of Nazareth or Jesus Christ, was a first-century Jewish preacher from Judea. He is the central figure of Christianity, the world's largest religion.

Odin

The supreme god and creator, god of victory and the dead. Wednesday is named after him.

Jesus

The central figure of the Christian religion.

Odin

The god of wisdom, war, art, culture, and the dead, and the supreme deity and creator of the cosmos and humans.

Jesus

The Savior; the name of the Son of God as announced by the angel to his parents; the personal name of Our Lord, in distinction from Christ, his official appellation.
Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins.
Jesu, do thou my soul receive.

Odin

The supreme deity of the Scandinavians; - the same as Woden, of the German tribes.
There in the Temple, carved in wood,The image of great Odin stood.

Jesus

AD 29)

Odin

(Norse mythology) ruler of the Aesir; supreme god of war and poetry and knowledge and wisdom (for which he gave an eye) and husband of Frigg; identified with the Teutonic Wotan

Common Curiosities

What is the significance of Jesus’s crucifixion?

Jesus’s crucifixion is central to Christian belief, symbolizing His sacrifice for the redemption of humanity's sins.

Who is Odin in Norse mythology?

Odin is the chief god in Norse mythology, known for his associations with war, wisdom, and death.

Did Odin have any special animals or symbols?

Odin is often depicted with his spear Gungnir, his magical horse Sleipnir, and two ravens, Huginn and Muninn.

How is Odin portrayed in modern culture?

Odin appears in various forms in modern literature and media, often emphasizing his attributes as a god of war and wisdom.

What are some symbols associated with Jesus?

Common symbols associated with Jesus include the cross, fish, bread and wine, and the lamb.

How do followers of Odin worship him?

Followers of Odin performed rituals including sacrifices and the use of runes for divination and protection.

What stories are told about Odin?

Stories of Odin include his sacrifices for wisdom, battles with giants, and interactions with other gods and mortals.

What are the central teachings of Jesus?

Jesus’s teachings focus on love, forgiveness, and the promise of eternal life through faith in Him.

How do Christians practice their faith?

Christians engage in practices such as prayer, attending church services, reading the Bible, and participating in sacraments like communion.

What is the global impact of Jesus’s teachings?

Jesus’s teachings have profoundly influenced global culture, ethics, and laws, promoting values of peace, charity, and human dignity.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat

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