Norse Gods and Goddesses

## **Aesir**

These are the male gods of Norse mythology who live in Asgard, together with the female goddesses called Asynjur.

### **Balder: The Good**

Balder lives in Breidablik, in Asgard. The roof of Balder's house is made of silver, resting on pillars of gold. His home was always so clean and pretty that no evil could exist there. He is married to the goddess Nanna and together they have a son, Forsete.

### **Bragi: The God of Poetry and Music**

Bragi has a very long beard and is very wise. He is known for his wisdom and for fluency of speech and skill with words.

### **Delling: The God of Sunrise**

Delling is married to a jotun (giantess) Nat, (Night) and together they have a son named Day.

### **Freyr: God of Fertility**

Freyr is a beautiful man. He is not only the God of fertility, but also of sunlight, rain and peace. He is a former member of the Vanir. He is the ruler of Alfheim and lord of the elves. He has a twin sister named Freya, and is married to Gerd, who is a Jotun (giantess).

### **Forseti: God of Justice**

Forseti is the judge of gods and humans. He lives in a house with a silver roof and golden pillars, located in Asgard.

### **Heimdall: The Guardian of Bifrost**

Heimdall is tall, and very handsome. His teeth are made of gold, lending him the nickname Gold Tooth. He has nine mothers, who were sisters.

### **Hoder**

Hoder is also a son of Oden and Frigg. He is blind and lives in Asgard. Tricked by Loki, he killed his brother, Balder with an arrow made of mistletoe.

### **Kvasir: The God of Poetry and Wisdom**

Kvasir is a very wise man. He was created by Odin at the end of the Aesir-Vanir War. All the gods, from both branches, spit in a barrel. From the saliva Odin created a new god. This new god could answer any question and traveled throughout the worlds learning from all races.

### **Magni: The Mighty**

Magni is very strong. He is the son of Thor and Jarnsaxa.

### **Modi: The Courageous**

Modi is very brave. He is the son of Thor and Sif.

### **Mimir: The Wise One**

Mimir was beheaded during the Aesir-Vanir war. At the end of the war his head was sent to Odin as a symbol of the Vanir's disgust and frustration. Odin carries Mimir's head with him and takes council from him.

### **Njord: God of Wind**

Njord is the god of the wind, seafarers, coasts, inland waters and a member of the Vanir. He is often mistaken for the god of the sea. He is the father of Freya and Freyr. He is married to the giantess, Skadi, although his children were born from his sister, Nerthus.

### **Odin: Chief of the Aesir Gods**

Odin is the grandson of the first Aesir god, Buri. He is the son of Bor and Bestla (a giantess). He is known as the allfather of the gods. He is the most powerful god in Asgard. He lives in a house called Valaskialf, and rules from his throne called Hlidskialf, in the tower of his house. From here, he can see throughout all nine worlds. He is the god of happiness, victory and wisdom. Odin is also a shape-shifter. He relies on his animal companions:

1. Sleipnir: Odin's gray eight legged horse. Sleipnir is the child of Loki and Svadilfari. He can gallop through air as well as on land.
2. Huginn and Muninn: two ravens who fly out over Midgard gathering information and reporting back to Odin what they have seen.
3. Geri and Freki: two wolves who follow Odin wherever he goes.

### **Thor: God of Thunder**

Thor is the son of Odin and Fjorgyn. He is married to Sif and together they have two children: Trud and Modi. Thor also took Jarnsaxa (a giantess) as a lover and conceived a son, Magni. He adopted his wife's son, Ull. Thor is known to be ill tempered and the strongest of the gods. Thor lives at Thrudheim, an enormous house with 540 rooms. It is the biggest house in Asgard.

### **Tyr: God of War**

Tyr is the god of war and of the sky. He is the bravest of all gods. He is one of two guardians of the gates of Hel.

## **Asynjur**

The Asynjur are the goddesses of Norse mythology. They live together with the Aesir in Asgard.

### **Eir: Goddess of Peace, Clemency, Help and Mercy**

She is also a Valkyrie associated with medical skill

### **Freya: Goddess of Love**

Freya is the goddess of love, lust, beauty, sorcery, fertility, gold, war and death. They name Freya means 'lady'. She is a former Vanir, who went to Asgard after the war. She is the guardian of Folkvangr, the army field. It is the place where half of those who die in battle go to spend their afterlife. Odin receives the other half at Valhalla. Freya also took a human lover named Ottar.

### **Frigg: Earth Mother**

Frigg is the Queen of Asgard and married to Odin. She is also a sorceress, associated with love, marriage, fertility, and motherhood. She has the power of prophecy yet she does not reveal what she knows.

### **Gerd**

Gerd is a Jotun (giantess). She is the wife of Freyr.

### **Gefion**

Gefion is the goddess of fertility and is associated with the plow.

### **Idun: Goddess of Spring**

Idun is a goddess who guards the apples of youth. She supplies the gods with the apples of youth to keep them young forever.

### **Sigyn**

Sigyn is married to Loki and is the mother of Narfi and Vali.