Freyja
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Freyja (or Freya, Freja) is a goddess in Norse and Germanic Mythology. She is the twin sister of Freyr and the daughter of Njord. She is originally worshipped as a fertility goddess. But in the Eddas, she was often portrayed as a goddess of love, beauty, and attraction. She was also associated with war, battle, death, wealth, magic and prophecies. Freyja was said to be the most beloved, honored, and renowned among goddesses. She is one of the most popular deities of Norse mythology.
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[change] Receiver of the slain
The Valkyries collect the souls of heroes killed in battles and bring them to heaven, where they will become soldiers of the gods. Freyja shares with Odin half of these heroes. Her sacred realm is Folkvang (Field of Folk), where lies her great and fair hall Sessrumnir (Room of Seats). At this hall, she decides where her warriors shall sit.
This is what written in the original myth:
The ninth hall is Folkvang, where bright Freyja decides
Where her warriors shall sit,
Some of the slain belong to her,
Some belong to Odin.
[change] Bride of the Vanir
Freyja married a god called Odr. She deeply loves her husband, but he often went away on long journeys, and Freyja cried red golden tears for him. Her tears become gold and amber when they fall to Earth, therefore gold was called "Freyja's tears". They have two beautiful daughters called Hnoss and Gersemi.
[change] Owner of the Gib-Cats and Brisingamen
Freyja often rides in a chariot pulled by big blue cats, or on a golden battle boar. She is called "The Fair One". In the myths, there were three giants who wanted to marry Freyja, but they were all killed by Thor, the god of thunder.
Freyja also has a precious necklace called Brisingamen (Jewelry of Fire). The evil giant Loki once stole this necklace, and Freyja had to ask the god Heimdall for help. Heimdall won the fight with Loki and gave the necklace back to Freyja. For this, Loki is also called "Thief of Brisingamen", and Heimdall is also called "Seeker of Brisingamen".
When Thrymr, the King of the frost giants, told Loki to ask Freyja to become his wife, the goddess was so angry that heaven was shaken, and the necklace Brisingamen broke. The god Thor later borrowed the necklace and came to the wedding, dressed up as Freyja. Thor killed Thrymr and all his relatives.
[change] Jobs
Freyja is a warrior goddess. Whenever she rides into battles, she gets half of the souls of dead heroes. Freyja is also a priestess, and she taught the gods the magic arts. She has a magical dress made of feathers which allows her to fly between different worlds.
Freyja is the patron goddess of crops and child births. She is also a goddess of love, whom lovers may send prayers to.
Frigg and Freyja are the two main goddesses in Norse mythology. They were especially worshipped by Vikings. Freyja is said to be the kindest among goddesses. In a poem in Poetic Edda, a young man called Ottar always trusted in the goddesses; he built a rock shrine for the goddesses, and Freyja answered his prayers. She disguised Ottar as her golden boar, and went on a trip to help him find his ancestors.
[change] After Ragnarok
In final battle of Ragnarok, Odin, Njord, and Freyr all died. Freyja alone remained among the gods, and she continued the sacrifices.
[change] Names
Freyr's name means "the Lord", Freyja's name means "the Lady".
The day of the week, Friday, is named either after her, or after Odin's wife Frigg. The Orion was called Frigg's distaff or Freyja's girdle. Frigg and Freyja are maybe originally one and the same goddess.
Freyja is also widely known as Vanadis, which means Lady of the Vanir. The metallic element Vanadium was named after her. The Vanir are close relatives of elves. Freyr is the Lord of the elves, his sacred realm is Alfheim, home of the elves.
Another well-known name of godddess Freyja is Gefn, which means "Giver", a suitable name for the fertility goddess.
Freyja represents the Norse women of Viking Age, whose husbands often went away to war. From Freyja's name, noble Norse women are called Fru, wives are called house-fru. And Frau means "woman" in German.
Freya and Freja are now common Scandinavian female names.
| Norse Mythology | |
|---|---|
| Gods and Goddesses | Odin - Frigg - Freyja - Thor - Loki - Tyr - Vidar - Sif - Móði and Magni - Thrud - Ull - Baldur - Heimdall - Jord |
| Locations | Asgard - Midgard - Niflheim - Hel - Valhalla - Jotunheim - Muspelheim - Bifröst - Yggdrasil - Niðavellir |
| Races and groups | Æsir - Vanir - Giants - Dwarves - Valkyrie - Norns |
| Other | Jörmungandr - Fenrir - Hel - Ragnarök - Hugin and Munin - Mjolnir - Runestones |
