Norse religion, practiced by the ancient Scandinavian peoples, centers around a pantheon of gods and goddesses, including Odin, Thor, and Freyja. It is characterized by a belief in a cosmos divided into nine realms, interconnected by the great tree Yggdrasil. Rituals and sacrifices were common, aimed at gaining favor from the deities and ensuring prosperity. The Norse also believed in concepts like Valhalla, a hall where warriors who died bravely in battle would reside, and Ragnarök, a prophesied series of events leading to the end of the world. Myths and sagas, passed down orally, played a crucial role in their cultural identity.