European dragon than with a lizard-like or dinosaur-like body as in later belief (though the dragon of Beowulf does show several features that would later become popularized with dragons–namely, it breathes fire–lives underground, and collects treasure). The most famous lindworm in Norse and Germanic mythology is Fafnir The Germanic stories of lindworms have them guarding a treasure hoard. The Fafnir lindworm guarded earthen mounds full of ancient treasure. The treasure was cursed and brought ill to those who later possessed it. Sea serpents are also called orms in Nordic languages, wyrms in Old English and worms in Middle English. These "dragons" are
Idis (Germanic) Idis (Germanic) In Germanic mythology, an idis (Old Saxon, plural idisi) is a divine female being. "Idis" is cognate to Old High German itis and Old English ides, meaning 'well-respected and dignified woman.' Connections have been assumed or theorized between the idisi and the North Germanic dísir; female beings associated with fate, as well as the amended place name Idistaviso. One of the two Old High German Merseburg Incantations call upon female beings—"idisi"—to bind and hamper an army. The incantation reads: In line 1259 of the Old English poem "Beowulf", Grendel's Mother is introduced as an "ides": The idisi mentioned