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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Germanic_mythology

Religion

The Germanic people had a religion similar to the Norse, before the conversion to Christianity. The culture of Germanic people extended from the Black Sea to Greenland or even to parts of North America. The Norse religion or the religion in Scandinavia is the only place where the Germanic religion stayed for a lot longer. (Chalquist, n.d.)

The culture of the Germanic tribes was way different from say Greek or Roman. Like in the second century B.C. when Strabo describes how the Cimbri sacrificed roman prisoners. As early as the first century they had a written script, it was a runic script. Runes have magical as well as sacral significance.

The German people even had an organized priesthood known as Druids. Druids were the religious leaders. Some were poets, law-readers, and even doctors. Druids were some of the most educated people of the Germans.

Most civilizations like the Empire of Rome viewed the Germanic religion as barbaric. They think the same thing about the people. Even though they were fairly intelligent. Caesar had no real knowledge about the German religion.

Goths had traditions that had to do with sacrifices. These sacrifices were not always human there were animals also.

Dragons

The Black Worm is a myth about a dragon that had so much gold that he could not wrap his body all the way around it. A man exploited this weakness when the worm was sleeping. He moved on to the mound through the opening and stuffed his pockets. The man got greedy and yelled for his female companion to come and get some more gold. The shouting woke the dragon scaring the man and he dropped his gold and ran. The Black Worm vanished sinking into the ground with the treasure.

Fafnir and Siegfried is a story about dragons in German mythology. Fafnir was a giant who killed his father for his treasure. Fafnir then turned himself into a dragon. His hoard of treasure with gold rings and magic helms is said to bring wealth and immortality to anyone who owned them.

Siegfried was born to Sieglinde who was lost in the woods and rescued by the dwarf, Regin. Regin became Siegfried’s tutor. Regin was fixing a broken sword that belonged to Siegfried’s father, Wotan them most powerful of gods. Regin taught Siegfried the trade of making magic items and fixing them.

Siegfried wanted to fight the dragon Fafnir. Regin told Siegfried that the broken sword belonged to his father and is named Nothung. Siegfried then took the hammer and fixed the sword that was broken. Siegfried then went out to find the dragon. After his horse would not go any farther he went back to get Regin and the sword. The two of them then dug a pit in the middle of the path. They then hid in the pit. When Fafnir moved over the pit Siegfried stabbed him and continued attacking but did nothing against the armored skin. The dragon then breathed fire killing the horse and Regin. Siegfried begged the gods to help him, lightning leapt from the sword knocking Fafnir down. Siegfred moved in for a final blow and the dragon never moved again.

Gods

Most of the gods in Germanic Mythology are the same as the ones in Norse Mythology. (TurvillePetre, 2014)

Odin also known as Wotan in Germanic lore, he is the all father and the husband of Friggia. He is the god of storms, hunting, poetry, berserker fury, and incantations.

Thor also known as Donar in Germanic lore, he is the son of the all father, Odin. With his hammer Mjollnir he fights giants.

Freya is the golden haired female goddess of beauty and love.

Freyr is the lord of elves who is married to a giant named Gerd. He is the god of peace, lusty pleasure, and good crops.

Frigga is the all mother and wife of Odin or Wotan. She is the Goddess of peacemaking, weaving the threads of cosmic order, and holding and keeping political and domestic power.