Ancient Nordic Pantheon The Ancient Nordic Pantheon , not to be confused with the later Nordic Pantheon , was the set of deities venerated by the Atmoran s and early Nord s of the Merethic Era and early First Era . History . The faith originated in Atmora in the Merethic Era where Dragons ruled supreme . Their servants , the Dragon Priests established a ruling body known as the Dragon Cult and held power equals to kings . Part of the cult ' s beliefs was a faith focused on the worship of animal gods . The deified animals were the hawk , wolf , snake , moth , owl , whale , bear , fox , and the dragon . Bas reliefs found in ancient Nordic ruins have led scholars to believe that these deified animals were actually totemic representations of several Et ' Ada , some of which are present in the pantheon of the Eight Divines . Of these bas reliefs ; six are depicted as male and three as female . Influence in Skyrim . The Ancient Nordic Pantheon was brought to the shores of Skyrim during the mass Atmoran migration that took place over the next several centuries . It served as the predominant Nordic faith during the early First Era , however over the centuries the Nords eventually discarded the notion of animal worship and moved to towards the worship of the Et ' Ada themselves . This culminated in the formation of the Nordic Pantheon which served as the predominant religion in Skyrim until the rule of Alessia in 1E 243 , who melded Aldmeri and Nordic pantheons to create the pantheon of the Eight Divines . Dragon . The Dragon was the chief deity in the ancient Nordic pantheon as is widely accepted as being a representation of Alduin , the " World Eater . " Bas reliefs in ancient Nordic tombs don ' t depict him directly , rather his servants ; the Dragon Priests are shown . Hawk . The hawk depicted as a female and is believed to be the representation Kyne , warrior - widow of Shor . Also known as the Goddess of the storm and the Mother of Men . Nords believe she was instrumental in both their creation and for giving them the gift of the Thu ' um . Fox . The fox depicted as a male and is believed to be the representation of Orkey , who tricked the Nords into giving up their long lifespans , and " bound them to the count of winters . " Snake . The snake depicted as a male and is believed to be the representation of Shor , the fallen god - hero of mankind . Allusion to the characteristics of the fox include his successful attempt at persuading his fellow Et ' ada to create Mundus . Whale . The whale is depicted as a male and is believed to be the representation of Stuhn , the Nordic precursor to Stendarr and brother of Tsun . Like his brother , he served as shield - thane to Shor , and fought against the Aldmeri Pantheon . Bear . The bear depicted as a male and is believed to be the representation of Tsun , Nordic god of trials against adversity . He served as shield - thane to Shor and died defending him from foreign gods during the Ehlnofey wars of the Dawn Era . In the Nordic afterlife of Sovngarde he guards the Whalebone bridge . Owl . The owl depicted as a male and is believed to be the representation of Jhunal the Nordic god of runes , hermetic orders , wisdom , and knowledge . Also known as the father of language and mathematics . Wolf . The wolf depicted as a female and is believed to be the representation of Mara , the Goddess of love and handmaiden of Kyne . Moth . The moth depicted as a female and is believed to be the representation of Dibella , the Goddess of beauty .