In Norse mythology, Naglfar is the Ragnarok ship made from the fingernails and toenails of the dead.
Naglfar is a huge vessel that carries hostile forces during the events leading to Ragnarok. The name is often interpreted as “nail ship,” matching the mythic claim that it is constructed from the nails of dead people.
The Prose Edda warns that people should not die with their nails untrimmed, because every uncut nail contributes to Naglfar’s construction. This detail reflects a striking medieval image in which ordinary burial practices become part of the world’s eventual destruction.
Naglfar should not be confused with Skíðblaðnir, the magical ship belonging to Freyr, or Hringhorni, the ship associated with Baldr’s funeral. Norse sources differ in some details about who commands Naglfar, but its nail-built identity is the distinctive fact linked to Ragnarok.