Was Odin Aware of the Infinity Stones in Marvel's Universe?

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) offers a unique perspective on the ancient artifacts known as the Infinity Stones. These powerful, cosmic relics are scattered throughout the multiverse, influencing the fates of countless beings. In the comics, Odin, the All-Father, is portrayed as one of the Pantheon's most powerful and ancient deities. But does the MCU follow this path, or does it introduce new complexities?

The Comics: A Clear Timeline

In the main Marvel continuity Earth-616, Odin's awareness of the Infinity Stones is well-documented. Thanos, the Infinity Gauntlet's wielder, learns about the soul gems from the Well of Souls while working for Death. He discovers that six of the Elders of the Universe possess one gem each, but they are largely unaware of their true power. One, the Collector, even avoids using the stones due to a lack of understanding.

Thanos' pursuit of the Gauntlet leads to the broader universe's knowledge of the infinity stones and their significance. This provides a clear and cohesive narrative, allowing readers to understand Odin's awareness and the broader cosmos' connection to these powerful objects.

The MCU: A Mysterious Beginnings

In the MCU, the world is a different place. We have less clarity about when Thanos started his quest for the Infinity Stones. However, the MCU does offer clues about the past. Around 3000 BCE, the Dark Elves, harnessed the Reality Stone using the Aether container, as seen in

The Dark Elves and the Aether

In Thor: The Dark World, the Dark Elves wield the Reality Stone through the Aether, a powerful and ancient sentient force. This event marks an early use of an Infinity Stone in the MCU. Bor, an Elder of the Universe and father of Loki, fights the Dark Elves, suggesting a deeper involvement of the Elders in ancient cosmic events.

The Mind Stone and Other Stones

As for the other Infinity Stones, the MCU's history remains vague. We don't know who contained the Mind Stone within Loki's scepter, the Space Stone in the Tesseract, or the Power Stone in the Orb. Their origins and users have been left largely undefined, creating an air of mystery and intrigue around these powerful artifacts.

The Time Stone and Agamatto

In the MCU, the Time Stone is held in the Eye of Agamatto, a symbol of the Sorcerer Supreme's power. This is different from the comics, where Agamatto is an Elder God on Earth thousands of years ago. It's interesting to ponder if the Time Stone was involved in the conflict with the Dark Elves since both events occurred on Earth/Midgard. There's no explicit mention of Odin or any other Asgardian being aware of the Time Stone during this period.

Odin's Awareness

An intriguing question arises when examining Thor: Ragnarok. Odin, the All-Father, possesses a replica of the Eye of Agamatto, the Time Stone's container. This suggests that Odin was, at least, aware of the Time Stone's significance. However, the exact relationship between Odin and the other Infinity Stones remains unclear.

It's possible that Odin, as a member of the Pantheon, remained largely aware of the existence and powers of the Infinity Stones. This awareness, however, might not have been as extensive or detailed as Thanos would come to understand. Odin's role as a guardian and elder suggests that he might have knowledge of the general nature of these artifacts, even if the specific details are left unexplored in the MCU.

Conclusion

The MCU presents a unique take on the Infinity Stones, interweaving ancient, untold stories with well-known myths. While not as explicitly detailed as the comics, it still leaves room for intriguing theories and speculation. Odin's awareness of the Time Stone and the potential involvement of the Elders in ancient cosmic events suggest a rich and complex backstory, just waiting to be explored further.

By examining the MCU's portrayal of these ancient relics and Odin's role, we can delve deeper into the mysteries of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and uncover the many untold stories that lie within.