<P> In Norse mythology , Jörmungandr ( Old Norse : Jǫrmungandr , pronounced ( ˈjɔrmuŋɡandr̥ ) , meaning `` huge monster '' ) , often written as Jormungand , or Jörmungand and also known as the Midgard Serpent ( Old Norse : Miðgarðsormur ) , or World Serpent , is a sea serpent , the middle child of the giantess Angrboða and Loki . According to the Prose Edda , Odin took Loki 's three children by Angrboða -- the wolf Fenrir , Hel , and Jörmungandr -- and tossed Jörmungandr into the great ocean that encircles Midgard . The serpent grew so large that it was able to surround the earth and grasp its own tail . As a result , it received the name of the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent . When it releases its tail , Ragnarök will begin . Jörmungandr 's arch - enemy is the thunder - god , Thor . It is an example of an ouroboros . </P>
<P> In Norse mythology , Jörmungandr ( Old Norse : Jǫrmungandr , pronounced ( ˈjɔrmuŋɡandr̥ ) , meaning `` huge monster '' ) , often written as Jormungand , or Jörmungand and also known as the Midgard Serpent ( Old Norse : Miðgarðsormur ) , or World Serpent , is a sea serpent , the middle child of the giantess Angrboða and Loki . According to the Prose Edda , Odin took Loki 's three children by Angrboða -- the wolf Fenrir , Hel , and Jörmungandr -- and tossed Jörmungandr into the great ocean that encircles Midgard . The serpent grew so large that it was able to surround the earth and grasp its own tail . As a result , it received the name of the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent . When it releases its tail , Ragnarök will begin . Jörmungandr 's arch - enemy is the thunder - god , Thor . It is an example of an ouroboros . </P>
which child of loki is so large that it encircles the earth
which child of loki is so large that it encircles the earth
Jörmungandr
Jörmungandr