Norse Gods and Goddesses

1. Norse Gods and Goddesses

2. Odin • Chief of the gods and men – called Allfather • Father of Thor, Balder, and other gods • Wears winged or floppy hat • God of magic, wisdom, wit and leaning; later with war and bloodshed • Odin pierces himself with a spear and hangs on Yggdrasil for 9 days and nights to learn the secret knowledge of runes • Has one eye because he traded it for a drink from the spring of clairvoyance to gain inner wisdom • Resides in Valaskjalf (“shelf of the slain”) • Attributes are the spear Gungnir (which never misses its target) the ring Draupnir and his 8-footed steed Sleipnir. • During Ragnarok he will be killed by the wolf Fenrir • The day Wednesday is named for him. His two ravens are called Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory)

3. Thor • God of thunder and lightning • Huge, red-bearded, with burning eyes • Similar to Hercules in his feats of strength and giant-killing. • Son of Odin • Mated with giant Jarnsaxa, but his wife is Sif (golden hair) • Mjolnir (the destroyer) – an ax-hammer that can destroy giants and mountains in a single blow; he also carries a belt of strength and iron glove • His home was called Bilskirnir • Has a chariot pulled by two goats. He can kill these goats and eat them and they will come back to life. • Is constantly fighting the World Serpent – Jormungand • He once drank from a horn that was emptying the water from the ocean– gigantic appetite • Thursday is named for him Thor’s Helmet

4. Balder • “The Beautiful” and “The Good” • Son of Odin and Frigg • Primarily known for his death and resurrection – Loki tricked his brother Hod into killing him with a mistletoe dart • His death is the harbinger of Ragnarok • After Ragnarok, when a new world arises, Baldor and Hod will be reborn to rule • His hall is Breidablik • Considered to be the best of the gods • Friendly, wise and eloquent, little power

5. Loki • God of mischief and fire • Trickster figure • Assists and causes problems for the gods • Shape shifter – appears, as salmon, mare, seal, fly, woman • Born of giants, but welcomed by the gods • Responsible for Balder’s death and punished by having snake venom dripped on his forehead • Jormungand (world serpent), Hel, and Fenrir (wolf) are his children • Will begin Ragnarok • Fights with the giants during Ragnarok – slayed by Heimdall

6. Freyr • God of sun, rain, and plentiful harvest • God of peace and a brave warrior • Member of the Vanir • Gods gave him Alfheimr, the realm of the Elves • Marrried to giantess Gerd, son of Njord • Rides the dwarf-made boar Gullinbursti – symbol is boar • Possesses a ship which always has a favorable breeze and can be folded together and carried in a pouch • Killed by the fire demon Surt at Ragnarok • Twin to Freya • Has a sword that can fight by itself, but he gives it away • The boar is his symbol

7. Freya • Goddess of love and fertility • Vanir goddess • Most beautiful goddess • Patron of crops and birth • Daughter of Njord, sister of Freyr • Married to Od, when he died she cried tears of gold • Attributes are the necklace of Brisings (pure gold), a cloak which allows its wearer to change into a falcon, and a chariot pulled by two cats. • The symbol of sensuality, called upon in matters of love • Particularly fond of elves (fairies) • Divides slain warriors with Odin; ½ go to her palace, ½ go to Valhalla . Women also go to her hall.

8. Frigg • Mother Goddess, Queen of Asgard • Patron of marriage and motherhood • Goddess of love and Fertility • Wife of Odin, mother of Balder and Hod • Weaves clouds • She knows events in the present and future, but is powerless to change them • Learning of her son’s (Balder) death, she makes everything promise not to harm him – except the mistletoe • The term Friday derives from her name

9. Heimdall • “World Brightener”, God of light • Son of nine mothers • Born at the end of the world and raised by the force of earth and seawater, and the blood of a boar • Carries the horn, Gjallar, which announces gods, warns of danger, and will signal the beginning of Ragnarok • Great hearing (can hear grass grow) and eyesight • Watchman of the gods and guards Bifrost (the rainbow bridge to Asgard) • Will Kill Loki at Ragnarok, but will die from wounds • Created 3 races of Men: serfs, peasants, and warriors.

10. Tyr • God of war and justice • Precursor of Odin • Boldest of the gods, inspires courage and heroism in battle • Lost his hand to Fenrir, Loki’s wolf-son • His symbol is the spear which has become a symbol of justice • At Ragnarok, he will kill the hound Garm, the guardian of hell, but he will die from his wounds.

11. Hod • God of winter and darkness • Blind • Son of Odin and Frigg • Tricked by Loki into killing Balder with mistletoe • Vali killed Hod in revenge for Balder • After Ragnarok, he will be reborn and rule with Balder

12. Idun • Goddess of immortality • Keeps the golden apples of youth • Major story deals with a giant who, with Loki’s help, stole the apples, causing the gods to wither • Married to Bragi

13. Bragi • God of poetry and eloquence • Loki calls him “Braggart” and the verb “to brag” comes from his name. • Married to Idun

14. Hel • Daughter of Loki • Giantess, half alive/half dead • Ruler of Helheim, Goddess of death and the underworld • Half black/ half white • Her face and body are human but her legs are of a corpse • Spread the plague with a rake or a broom • Agrees to release Balder from Helheim if everything weeps for him.