Freya, Frey, and Njord
Freya
| In Norse mythology, Freya, or Freyja, was the goddess of beauty and love. A beautiful, blonde, blue-eyed young woman, she was the sister of Frey and in later traditions the wife of Odin. Freya claimed half of the heroes slain in battle, carrying them to her realm of Folkvang in Asgard. Most of her myths concern attempts by the giants to abduct her. In Teutonic mythology, she was fused with the goddess Frigg. Friday is named after her. |
Frey
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God of weather and
fertility. He ruled over the land of the light elves, Alfheim. He was the
son of Njord and Njord's sister (may haps Ingun), and the brother of
Freya. His step-mother was Skadi. To make peace, the Aesir and Vanir
exchanged hostages. He, along with Njord and Freya, were sent by the Vanir
to dwell with the Aesir. He owned the ship Skidbladnir which was made for
him by dwarves. It could sail on the land, sea, or through the air. It was
large enough to hold all the gods, yet could be folded up and fit into a pocket. He
also owned a chariot drawn by two boars, Gullinbursti and Slidrugtanni. He
could ride Gullinbursti [golden-bristled] through the sky. It was made by
dwarves for Loki to give to Frey. His name means "Lord" and it
is thought that he was at one time the consort of his sister Freya [Lady]. His
wife was Gerd, a beautiful giantess who he fell in love with when he
espied her from Odin's throne. He sent his servant, Skirnir, to win her
for him. For this task, Frey lent Skirnir his sword which "swings
itself if wise he who wields it" and his horse. After Skirnir's
threatening of her, Gerd agreed to give herself to Frey in nine nights at
the forest Barri. At the Ragnarok, Frey will be killed by the fire giant
Surt.
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Njord
| God of the wind and sea, also called god of chariots and the giving god. It was to him that those wishing for protection on travels or desiring a good catch while fishing were supposed to pray. He was said to be so rich that he could bestow wealth on any who prayed to him for it. A member of the Vanir, he was sent with his son to the Aesir as a hostage after the war between the two races of deities and was to return to the Vanir at Ragnarok. After becoming a member of the Aesir, Odin made Njord a priest of sacrifices according to the Ynglinga Saga. It further states that the Swedish people believed Njord ruled over the growth of seasons and prosperity. His home was called Noatun [harbor] and his wife was the giantess Skadi who married him because he had beautiful feet. She later left him because they couldn't decide in whose dwelling they should live. Njord was the father of Frey and Freya. |