Norse Mythology: Gods and Races, Part 2

This week’s lesson is a wrap-up of the major gods of Norse mythology (part 3 will be the various races). If I did not include a god that you thought should have been included, send me a message or an ask and I will gladly make a post to mend it (either as an answer or as a separate post). Again, this list is not nearly an all-inclusive and all-informative one. I would love to provide extremely detailed posts about every figure of Norse mythology, but I am not yet capable. So, hopefully this list is educational and helpful to some, along with the first half of this lesson.

One that note, I shall continue with Njord (along with Skadi), Frey, Freya, Frigg, and Loki.

The Major Gods (con’t)

Something I failed to mention last lesson is that there are two families of gods, which are the Æsir, which we have discussed a few of already, and the Vanir. For quite some time these two families were at war with one another, but eventually made peace and essentially merged. (More on this while discussing some of the Vanir gods below).

Njörðr (Njord) – Vanir, God of Wealth and Seafaring

Njord of the Vanir dwells in a place known as Nóatún (enclosure for ships). He can control the movement of the winds and can also calm both sea and flame. He is often invoked for seafaring and fishing. He is also rich and prosperous and can grant wealth, which is why many regard him as a god of wealth as well as seafaring. He is an honorary member of the Æsir, not an Æsir himself. He was brought up in Vanaheim and sent to the Æsir as a hostage by the Vanir during their war with one another. In exchange, the Æsir gave the Vanir Hoenir. After this exchange there was peace between them.

Skaði (Skadi) is Njord’s wife and daughter of the giant named Thjazi (making her a giant, mind you). Her father was killed by the Æsir one day and she came to them seeking revenge. However, the Æsir offered her compensation for his death. She was allowed to choose a husband from among the Æsir, but only being allowed to see their feet while choosing. She wanted Baldr, but ended up with Njord. However, she did not want to live in Noatun with Njord, preferring instead to live in Þrymheimr (Thrymheim, thunder home), which had been built by her father. They tried to live in each but neither could tolerate the other’s home and so they live separately. Skadi is also known to travel by Skiing and carries a bow and arrow for hunting wild animals in the mountains.

Freyr (Frey) – Vanir, God of Fertility (Male Fertility)

Frey is the son of Njord and is the most splendid of the gods. He is often evoked for peace and prosperity. He determines men’s success in their own prosperity as well. He controls rain and the shining of the sun, and through this the bounty of the earth. It is said by some of the gods themselves in Lokasenna:

One day Frey was watching the giantess Gerd from Hlidskjalf (Odin’s tower that can see all things), who was the most beautiful of all women. He was punished by Odin for using the tower and he became angry and depressed as he longed for Gerd. He had his servant Skirnir take his sword and search for Gerd. Frey’s sword is capable of fight by itself. This is why Frey is without a sword in another story where he fights Beli, but Frey was able to kill him with his hands and a stag’s horn.

Frey is also often associated with boars. The boar Gullinborsti is often featured alongside Frey and he has a chariot that is drawn by boars as well. It was common practice during harvest festivals to sacrifice a boar in honor of Frey.

Freyja (Freya) – Vanir, Goddess of Fertility and Pleasure (Far more as well)

Freya is Frey’s twin sister and daughter of Njord. Her husband is Odr (Od). Some scholarship suggests that she and Frigg are identical to one another (suggesting they are the same but later diverged). She is a very interesting goddess in that she is so diverse in ability and nature. It is said in the Ynglinga Saga that Freya first brought seiðr(a type of magic) to the gods and is then associated chiefly with the völva (sorceresses). 

She is also quite fierce and powerful, dwelling in a place called Folkvangar (warrior’s fields). Whenever she battles, half of the slain go to her, while Odin takes the other half. Her hall is called Sessrumnir (with many seats), which is large and beautiful.

Still, she is quite approachable and often fulfills her prayers. From her name comes the term for “ladies” (frovur), as Frey’s name is for “lord”. She is keen on matters of love and passion.

Frigg (Frigg) – Æsir, Chief Goddess

Frigg is the wife of Odin and the foremost of the goddesses. Less is known about her, despite her prominent status. She is similar to Freyja is many ways. She is considered equal to Odin, but rarely uses her gifts. She also know the fates of men, though she tells no prophecies. It is said in Lokasenna:

Fulla is the name of one of Frigg’s maidens. She carries Frigg’s ashen box, footwear, and shares secrets with her.

Loki (Loki) – Æsir*, God of Mischief

Loki is the son of the giant named Farbauti and his mother Laufey or Nal, though little is known about her. Due to this, he is not always considered to be among the Æsir, but it is quite clear he is frequently involved with them. He has many other names, some of which are: Slanderer of the Gods, Source of Deceit, or Disgrace of all Gods and Men. He has quite the harsh reputation in sources, though he is more complicated than simply being stated as “evil”. He brings many troubles tot eh gods, such as the death of Baldr, but he often also plays a role in resolving the problem, such as when Idunn (wife of Bragi) was taken (by him, but still, he helped get her back again) and when Thor’s hammer got into the wrong hands (again because of him, but he also helped to get it back again, quite humorously). The best way to understand Loki’s character is to read the many stories about him, for he is nearly as complicated as Odin (if not more so at times).

He is also well known for his children. He has a son from his wife Sigyn, called Nari or Narfi. Though, the most famous of his children are those that are monstrous. These children were born from Angrboda (sorrow bringer), who was an ogres who lived in giant land. With her, he had three children: Fenrir, Jormungandr (Midgard Serpent), and Hel (half alive, half dead).

Next week, I shall discuss some of the various races and creatures that exist within the norse cosmology. I likely will not cover them all, but at least I should be able to give a general understanding. Hopefully the coverage of some of the gods that I have provided here is lesson 6a and 6b have been satisfactory. If they haven’t, for you would like more on a certain figure, please do let me know. I am more than happy to correct myself or provide more information.

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Sources

1. Jennifer Dukes-Knight, “Norse Mythology”, Lecture, Viking History, University of South Florida, 2015.
2. Snorri Sturluson, Prose Edda, Translated by Jesse L. Byock, (London: Penguin, 2005), 33-35, 38-43, 45-46. link.
3. Andy Orchard trans. Elder Edda: A Book of Viking Lore. (London: Penguin, 2011), 88, 90. link.
4. Image of Loki from the eighteenth-century Icelandic Manuscript, SÁM 66. link.
5. Image of Njord: Njörd’s desire of the Sea (1908) by W. G. Collingwood. link.
6. Image of Frey: Freyr (1901) by Johannes Gehrts. link.
7. Image of Freya: Freya (1882) by Carl Emil Doepler. link.
8. Image of Frigg: Frigg reaches into a box presented to her by a handmaid, Ludwig Pietsch, 1865. link.