Definition

Proper noun 1. The supreme god in Teutonic (Germanic) mythology: Wotan is the chief deity in the pre-Christian belief systems of certain Germanic peoples, particularly those of continental Europe. He is a god of war, wisdom, poetry, and the dead, and is the direct counterpart to the Norse god Odin and the Anglo-Saxon god Woden.

Usage Notes

• Historical/Archaic Term: "Wotan" is primarily used in historical, mythological, or academic contexts when referring to the continental Germanic version of this deity. It is not used in modern religious contexts.
• Cultural Specificity: The name "Wotan" is most strongly associated with the gods of the early Germanic tribes, such as the Lombards and other continental groups. Using "Wotan" instead of "Odin" specifically evokes this cultural and linguistic branch.

Examples of Usage

• Proper noun:
  • In Teutonic legend, Wotan led the Wild Hunt across the winter sky.
  • Scholars note that Wotan, Odin, and Woden are different names for the same archetypal god.
  • The opera Der Ring des Nibelungen by Richard Wagner features the god Wotan as a central character.

Advanced Usage

• In Comparative Mythology: The name is used to discuss the diffusion and variation of the Odin archetype across different Germanic cultures.
  • The figure of Wotan in southern Germanic lore shares many attributes but also shows distinct differences from the Norse Odin.

Variants and Related Words

• Odin (Proper noun): The name for the same supreme god in Old Norse mythology and Scandinavian tradition.
• Woden (Proper noun): The Old English name for the god, from which the English day name "Wednesday" ("Woden's day") is derived.
• Wuotan (Proper noun): An older or variant spelling of Wotan found in some historical sources.

Synonyms

• Odin
• Woden

Related Concepts

• The Wild Hunt: A mythological spectral procession across the sky, often led by Wotan/Odin.
• Valhalla: In Norse myth (Odin's hall), a related concept often associated with Wotan in broader Germanic context.
• Germanic paganism: The umbrella term for the pre-Christian religious practices in which Wotan was worshipped.

Noun

1. supreme Teutonic god; counterpart of Norse Odin and Anglo-Saxon Woden