NIBELHEIM
The name of where Tifa and Cloud come from, Nibelheim, actually originates from the word 'Nifleheim', which has its origins from Norse mythology. According to mythology, Nifleheim is a region of cold and darkness. One of the Nine Worlds of Norse mythology, it lies beneath one of the three roots of the great tree Yggdrasill(see below). A well Hvergelmir waters the root that extends into Nifleheim. It was also from this well that 11 icy rivers, the Elivagar, sprung from. The rivers flowed towards the south and into the void Ginunngagap. It is said that the world was created from that void. Interesting that Nibelheim became a town of destruction, cold and darkness once Sephiroth destroyed everyone and everything. According to some versions of the mythology, within Nifleheim lies the realm of the dead, Helheim, ruled by the goddess Hel; some other versions describe Helheim as being a separate world altogether.
The mighty evergreen ash, Yggdrasill is the pillar of the universe in Nordic mythology. Its three roots stretch to the worlds of death, frost-giants, and men.
A central point in the cosmos is the evergreen ash, Yggdrasill. It sprang from the body of the giant Ymir and its three roots extend into Asgard (the abode of the gods), Jotunheim (the giants' country) and Nifleheim (the land of darkness). The roots are watered by springs from each of these lands.
At the spring in Asgard, the root is well-tended by the three goddesses of fate - past, present and future. The spring in Jotunheim is Ymir's well, the fount of wisdom. But the spring in Nifleheim feeds Nidhogge, an adder that gnaws at the root of the Yggdrasill. Four stags (that represent the four winds) bite the foliage of the Yggdrasill.
Courtesy of the Squaresoft Repository.
Riso raknar, rann álfraudull, nordr at niflheim nióla sótti; upp nam ár Giöll Úlfrúnar nidr, hornţytvalldr Himinbiarga.The powers rose, the Alfs’ illuminator northwards towards Niflheim chased the night. Up Argjöll ran Ulfrun´s son, the mighty hornblower, of heaven's heights.