Norse Gods and Goddesses Odin n n Chief

Norse Gods and Goddesses

Odin n n 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)

Thor n n n 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

Balder n n n n “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

Loki n n n n n 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

Freyr n n n 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

Freya n n n n n 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.

Frigga n n n n 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

Heimdall n “World Brightener”, God of light n 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. n n n

Tyr n n n 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 wolfson 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.

Hod n n n 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

Idun n n 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

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

Hel n n n n 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.