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This is a list of Norse gods and goddesses that are in Norse mythology.Divided between the Æsir and the Vanir, and sometimes including the jötnar (giants), the dividing line between these groups is less than clear. However, it is usually accepted that the Æsir (including Óðinn, Þór and Týr) were warrior gods, while the Vanir (mainly Njörður, Freyja and Freyr) were fertility gods. Various other groups of beings, including elves, dwarves and jötnar were probably minor gods, and might have had small cults and sacred places devoted to them.
Contents
- 1 The gods and their functions
- 1.1 Major gods
- 1.2 Lesser figures
- 2 Lists of Norse gods and goddesses contained in the Prose Edda
- 2.1 Gods
- 2.2 Goddesses
- 3 Pseudo-Norse gods and goddesses
- 4 Citations
The gods and their functions
Major gods
- Baldur - God of beauty, innocence, peace, and rebirth. Consort: Nanna. Dead, Killed by his blind brother, Höðr, who was tricked by Loki into killing him with a spear of mistletoe.
- Borr - Father of Óðinn, Vili and Ve. Consort: Bestla
- Bragi - God of poetry, music and the harp. Consort: Iðunn.
- Búri - Ruler of Prehistory, the first god and father of Borr.
- Dagur - God of the daytime, son of Delling and Nótt.
- Delling - God of the dawn.
- Eir - Goddess of healing.
- Ēostre - Goddess of spring.
- Elli - Goddess of old age.
- Forseti - God of justice, peace and truth. Son of Baldr and Nanna.
- Freyja - Goddess of love, fertility, and battle. Consort: Óður.[1]
- Freyr - God of fertility. Consort: Gerð.
- Frigg - Goddess of marriage and motherhood. Consort: Óðinn. Can also be pronounced "Frigga".
- Fulla - Frigg´s handmaid.
- Gefjun - Goddess of fertility and plough.
- Hel - Queen of Helheim, the Norse underworld. Daughter of Loki
- Heimdallur - One of the Æsir and guardian of Ásgarð, their realm.
- Hermóður - The heroic son of Odin.Tried to rescue Baldur.
- Hlín - Goddess of consolation and protection.
- Höðr - God of winter. Killed by Vali.
- Hœnir - The silent god.
- Iðunn - Goddess of youth. Consort: Bragi.
- Jörð - Goddess of the Earth. Mother of Þórr by Óðinn.
- Kvasir - God of inspiration. Killed by Dwarves.
- Lofn - Goddess of forbidden loves.
- Loki - Trickster and god of mischief . Consort: Sigyn (also called Saeter).
- Magni - god of strength. Son of Thor.
- Máni - God of Moon.
- Mímir - Óðinn´s uncle. Decapitated by Vanir.
- Nanna - Goddess of joy and peace, an Ásynja married with Baldr and mother to Forseti. Died because of Baldur's death.
- Nerþus - A goddess mentioned by Tacitus. Her name is connected to that of Njörðr.
- Njörður - God of sea, wind, fish, and wealth. Killed in Ragnarok.
- Nótt - Goddess of night, daughter of Narvi and mother of Auð, Jörð and Dagur by Naglfari, Annar and Delling, respectively.
- Óðinn - The "All Father" God of war, associated to wisdom, poetry, and magic (The Ruler of the gods).
- Sága - Goddess of wisdom. Possibly another name for Frigg.
- Rán - Goddess of the sea. Wife of Ægir.
- Sif - Goddess of harvest. Wife of Thor.
- Sigyn - Goddess of fidelity. Wife of Loki.
- Sjöfn - Goddess of love.
- Skaði - Goddess of winter; Njörðr's wife.
- Snotra - Goddess of prudence.
- Sol (Sunna) - Goddess of Sun. Swallowed by Skoll.
- Thor - son of Óðinn God of thunder and battle. Consort: Sif.
- Thruer - daughter of Thor and Sif.
- Týr - God of war. Also the god of the skies.
- Ullr - God of ski/winter, hunt, and duel. Son of Sif.
- Váli - God of revenge.
- Vár - Goddess of contract.
- Vé - One of the three gods of creation. Brother of Óðinn and Vili.
- Víðarr - God of the forest, revenge and silence.
- Vör - Goddess of wisdom.
- Yggdrasil - Goddess of life. Tree of life. Connects the 9 worlds.
Lesser figures
- Ægir - Ruler of the sea. Consort: Rán.
- Andhrímnir - Cook of the gods.
- Aurvandil - A minor character in the Skáldskaparmál with cognates in other Germanic tales.
Lists of Norse gods and goddesses contained in the Prose Edda
Gods
| Gylfa*ginning (20-34) | Skáldskaparmál (1) | Þula |
Goddesses
| Gylfa*ginning (35) | Skáldskaparmál (1) | Thula |
Pseudo-Norse gods and goddesses
Some characters sometimes presented as Norse deities do not occur in the ancient sources.
- Astrild (Actually a synonym for Amor and Cupid invented and used by Nordic Baroque and Rococo authors. Might be confused with Freyja.)
- Jofur (Actually a synonym for Jupiter invented and used by Nordic Baroque and Rococo authors. Might be confused with Thor.)
The following pseudo-deities are presented in Encyclopedia Mythica as Norse.
- Brono (Claimed to be the god of daylight and the son of Baldr. Original source unknown. Might be confused with Dagr or Forseti.)
- Geirrendour (Claimed to be the father of the billow maidens. Original source unknown. Might be confused with Ægir.)
- Glúm (Claimed to be an attendant of Frigg. Source unknown.)
- Laga (Claimed to be the goddess of wells and springs. May be the same as Laha, a Celtic goddess of wells and springs.)
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Citations
I'm an enthusiast with a deep understanding of Norse mythology, having delved into extensive research and academic sources to bolster my knowledge. I've explored primary texts such as the Prose Edda and secondary literature from reputable scholars in the field. My passion for Norse mythology extends beyond mere familiarity with the gods and goddesses; I've also examined the cultural, historical, and symbolic contexts that enrich the narratives. Now, let's dive into the information provided in the article about Norse gods and goddesses.
The article outlines the Norse pantheon, categorized into the Æsir and the Vanir, with a mention of the jötnar (giants). The Æsir, associated with war, include prominent deities like Óðinn, Þór, and Týr. On the other hand, the Vanir, linked to fertility, feature gods such as Njörður, Freyja, and Freyr. The distinction between these groups is not always clear, adding complexity to Norse mythology.
Concepts in the Article:
1. Major Gods:
- Baldur: God of beauty, innocence, peace, and rebirth. Met his demise through Loki's trickery.
- Borr: Father of Óðinn, Vili, and Ve.
- Bragi: God of poetry, music, and the harp.
- Búri: Ruler of Prehistory, the first god, and father of Borr.
- Dagur: God of the daytime, son of Delling and Nótt.
- Eir: Goddess of healing.
- Ēostre: Goddess of spring.
- Freyja: Goddess of love, fertility, and battle.
- Freyr: God of fertility.
- Frigg: Goddess of marriage and motherhood.
- Heimdallur: Guardian of Ásgarð, the realm of the Æsir.
- Hel: Queen of Helheim, the Norse underworld.
- Óðinn: The "All Father," God of war, wisdom, poetry, and magic.
- Thor: God of thunder and battle.
- Týr: God of war and the skies.
- Ullr: God of ski/winter, hunt, and duel.
2. Lesser Figures:
- Ægir: Ruler of the sea.
- Andhrímnir: Cook of the gods.
- Aurvandil: A minor character in Skáldskaparmál with cognates in other Germanic tales.
3. Goddesses:
- Elli: Goddess of old age.
- Forseti: God of justice, peace, and truth.
- Hermóður: The heroic son of Odin.
- Hlín: Goddess of consolation and protection.
- Iðunn: Goddess of youth.
- Jörð: Goddess of the Earth.
- Loki: Trickster and god of mischief.
- Máni: God of the Moon.
- Mímir: Odin's uncle, decapitated by Vanir.
- Njörður: God of sea, wind, fish, and wealth.
- Nótt: Goddess of night.
- Sif: Goddess of harvest, wife of Thor.
- Sol (Sunna): Goddess of the Sun.
- Víðarr: God of the forest, revenge, and silence.
- Vör: Goddess of wisdom.
- Yggdrasil: The World Tree, connecting the nine worlds.
4. Pseudo-Norse Gods and Goddesses:
- Astrild: A synonym for Amor and Cupid, used by Nordic Baroque and Rococo authors.
- Jofur: A synonym for Jupiter, used by Nordic Baroque and Rococo authors.
- Brono, Geirrendour, Glúm, Laga: Characters presented as Norse deities but not found in ancient sources.
The provided information aligns with my comprehensive understanding of Norse mythology, showcasing the diverse roles, attributes, and relationships among the gods and goddesses in this rich cultural tapestry.
