Guest guest Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Reb, this is just plain tragic. Keeping all in your familyin my thoughts and meditations and in my slightly enlargedheart (born that way), where there is always plenty of room!Love to you, Reb,nTo: MSersLife Sent: Thu, December 31, 2009 3:09:52 AMSubject: Re: Reb, and the lousy gift......More lousy gifts The cold is resolving itself, but my family had another lousy gift this year. The father of my older sister and older brother (not a step-dad to me, because he was before my time, more like an uncle or so to me, he always did stay in touch with the family), was going to have Christmas dinner with my brother's family, on Christmas Eve (in Sweden we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day), but he slipped on the ice on his way from the car to the house, and hit his head. He never woke up from the coma, and I just learned (from my older sister) that he died yesterday. Is that a lousy gift for his grandkids and kids or what! An accident on Christmas is not how grandpa's, or dads (or anyone) should go. Keep his wife, his son and daughter (my brother and sister), and their families in your thoughts, please. love/Reb "She has a great variety of names, for having gone over many> > countries in search of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr, each people gave her a different name".)[21] In> > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sр╕гр╕Ðr (Latinized as> > Syritha) seeking for р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr/р╕г"ttar (Latinized as Otharus).[16] [21]> > > > The owner of Svadilfari: This giant came to offer to build a citidel for the> > gods in three seasons. He demanded to marry fair Freyja, also the sun and> > the moon as his rewards. Following Loki's ill advice, the gods accepted the> > deal, but they later urged Loki to deceive the giant to protect Freyja. Loki> > turned into a mare and seduced Svadilfari, the huge steed of the giant.> > Without his horse, the giant could not complete his job, he was enraged,> > insulted the gods, and eventually got slain by Thor before the deal was> > completed. Loki's prank ultimately backfired on him, and he bore the son of> > the horse Svadilfari, Sleipnir. (Gylfaginning (42))> > > > The abduction of Iр╕гр╕Рunn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and forced him to> > lure Iр╕гр╕Рunn out to kidnap her along with the golden apples. Without the> > apples of youth, the gods grew old and they soon found out that Iр╕гр╕Рunn was> > missing. She was last seen going with Loki, so they cornered the giant and> > threathened to slay him. Loki had to borrow the hawk's plumage of Freyja to> > go and free Iр╕гр╕Рunn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form, but he was> > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaр╕гр╕Рi, who later became Freyr> > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaр╕гр╕Рi's march to Asgard for vengeance ended in a> > marriage with Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr. (Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (1))> > > > Thor's duel: After his race with Odin, which he lost, the champion of the> > giants, Hrungnir, came to Asgard. Thor is absent, so he boasted that he> > would destroy Valhalla, slay all the gods, and take Freyja and Sif home with> > him. Of all goddesses, Freyja alone was brave enough to stand and pour ale> > for the giant to waste time while Thor is summoned. The god of thunder, with> > the help of his clever servant р╕гÑâ”â•œjр╕гр╕Бlfi, later slew Hrungnir in a duel, but> > Thor himself was struck by the giant's horn and also wounded. This is one of> > the reasons why the Hill Giants are amongst the gods' enemies at the final> > battle. (Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (17))> > > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir, can not be harmed by> > anything. Loki turned himself into a woman to trick Frigg into revealing> > that Baldur can only be hurt by the mistletoes. Loki then tricked the blind> > god Hр╕гр╕Цdr to shoot his brother with a mistletoe twig, thus Baldur was> > murdered by the evil giant Loki's trickery. "People of many races visited> > this burning. First is to be told of Odin, how Frigg and the Valkyries went> > with him, and his ravens; but Freyr drove in his chariot with the boar> > called Gold-Mane, or Fearful-Tusk, and Heimdallr rode the horse called> > Gold-Top, and Freyja drove in her chariot drawn by cats..." (Gylfaginning> > (49))> > > > [edit] Sagas of Icelanders> > > > The various Sagas of Icelanders contain numerous mentions of Freyja.> > > > [edit] Heimskringla> > > > According to the Ynglinga saga:> > > > "Dр╕гр╕"ttir Njarр╕гр╕Рar var Freyja, hon var blр╕гр╕"tgyр╕гр╕Рja, ok hon kendi fyrst meр╕гр╕Рр╕гÑâ”â•œsum> > seiр╕гр╕Р, sem Vр╕гр╕Цnum var tр╕гр╕Ðtt. р╕гÑâ”╜р╕гр╕Б er Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr var meр╕гр╕РVр╕гр╕Цnum, р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б hafр╕гр╕Рi hann р╕гр╕Бtta> > systr sр╕гр╕Ðna р╕гр╕Юvр╕гр╕Рat р╕гр╕Юat vр╕гр╕Бru р╕гр╕Юar lр╕гр╕Цg; vр╕гр╕Бru р╕гр╕Юeirra bр╕гр╕Цrn Freyr ok Freyja. En р╕гр╕Юat> > var bannat meр╕гр╕Рр╕гÑâ”â•œsum at byggja svр╕гр╕Б nр╕гр╕Бit at frр╕гр╕Жndsemi.""Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's daughter> > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir the magic> > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr was with the> > Vanir he had taken his own sister in marriage, for that was allowed by their> > law; and their children were Freyr and Freyja. But among the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir it was> > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations."> > > > > > > > After the deaths of Odin, Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr, and Freyr:> > > > "Freyja hр╕гр╕Йlt р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б upp blр╕гр╕"tum, р╕гр╕Юvр╕гр╕Рat hon ein lifр╕гр╕Рi р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б eptir goр╕гр╕Рanna, ok varр╕гр╕Р> > hon р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б hin frр╕гр╕Жgsta, svр╕гр╕Б at meр╕гр╕Рhennar nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,> > svр╕гр╕Б sem nр╕гр╕Ъ heita frр╕гр╕Ъvor. Svр╕гр╕Б heitir ok hver freyja yfir sinni eign, en sр╕гр╕Ъ> > hр╕гр╕Ъsfreyja, er bр╕гр╕Ъ р╕гр╕Б. Freyja var heldr marglynd; р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr hр╕гр╕Йt bр╕гр╕"ndi hennar, dр╕гр╕Жtr> > hennar hр╕гр╕Йtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Жr vр╕гр╕Бru fagrar mjр╕гр╕Цg: af р╕гр╕Юeirra nafni eru svр╕гр╕Б> > kallaр╕гр╕Рir hinir dр╕гр╕Ðrstu gripir.""Freyja alone remained of the gods, and she> > became on this account so celebrated that all women of distinction were> > called by her name, whence they now have the title Frр╕гр╕Ъ (Frau in German); so> > that every woman is called frр╕гр╕Ъ (frau in German), or mistress over her> > property, and the wife is called the house-Frр╕гр╕Ъ (Ehefrau in German). Freyja> > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her> > husband was called р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr, and her daughters Hnoss and Gersemi. They were so> > very beautiful, that afterwards the most precious jewels were called by> > their names."[27]> > > > > > > > In King Hр╕гр╕Еkon the Good's saga, Freyja is mentioned twice. First, regarding> > the sacrifices for the goddess (16):> > > > And first Odin's goblet was emptied for victory and power to his king.> > Thereafter, Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's and Freyja's goblets for peace and a good season> > > > Secondly, Freyja's golden tears for her husband are referenced:> > > > Although the king had gained of old > > > > Enough of Freyja's tears of gold, > > > > He spared himself no more than tho' > > > > He'd had no well-filled purse to show.[28]> > > > [edit] Other Sagas> > > > In Egils saga, when р╕гÑâ”â•œorgerр╕гр╕Рr threatened to commit suicide, she said: "No> > supper have I had, and none will I have till I sup with Freyja. I can do no> > better than does my father: I will not overlive my father and brother."> > > > In Hр╕гр╕Бlfs saga, Queen Signy, wife of King Alfrek, prayed for the help of> > Freyja in an ale-brewing contest. Her opponent, Geirhild, however, had the> > help of Odin, who gave her his drools as yeast. And so Signy lost.> > > > Frithiof's Saga mentions the tale of Freyja and р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr:> > > > Freyja one day > > > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away. > > > > Northward and southward she sought her > > > > Dearly-loved Oder.> > > > According to Njр╕гр╕Бls saga: "There had been a change of rulers in Norway, Earl> > Hacon was dead and gone, but in his stead was come Olaf Tryggvason. Along> > with that was heard that there had been a change of faith in Norway; they> > had cast off the old faith, but King Olaf had christened the western lands,> > Shetland, and the Orkneys, and the Faroe Isles. Then many men spoke so that> > Njal heard it, that it was a strange and wicked thing to throw off the old> > faith..." Then, Hjalti Skeggiason, an Icelander newly converted to> > Christianity, wished to express his contempt for the native gods, so he> > sang:> > > > "Ever will I Gods blaspheme > > > > Freyja methinks a dog does seem, > > > > Freyja a dog? Aye! Let them be > > > > Both dogs together Odin and she!"[29]> > > > Hjalti was found guilty of blasphemy for his infamous verse and he ran to> > Norway with his father-in-law, Gizur the White. Later, with Olaf Tryggvason> > s support, Gizur and Hjalti came back to Iceland to invite those assembled> > at the Althing to convert to Christianity. [30][31]> > > > The Saga of King Olaf Tryggvason, composed around 1300, describes that> > following King Olaf Tryggvason's orders, to prove their piety, people must> > insult and ridicule major heathen deities when they are newly converted into> > Christianity. Hallfreр╕гр╕Рr vandrр╕гр╕Жр╕гр╕Рaskр╕гр╕Бld, who was reluctantly converted from> > paganism to Christianity by Olaf, also had to make a poem to forsake pagan> > deities. Freyja is named among those major deities.[32]> > > > > > > > > > > > Historically, during the Christianization of Norway, King Olaf Tryggvason> > used elaborate ways to kill those who refused to Christianize.> > > > [edit] Flateyjarbр╕гр╕"k> > > > Sр╕гр╕Цrla р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Бttr is a short story in the later and extended version of the Saga> > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbр╕гр╕"k, which is> > written and compiled by two Christian priests, Jon Thordson and Magnus> > Thorhalson, in 14th-15th century.[34] The story borrows parts of> > Heimskringla (of how heathen deities are euhemerised) , parts of the poem> > Lokasenna (of Gefjun sleeping with a boy for a necklace), parts of the> > Hр╕гр╕Ъsdrр╕гр╕Бpa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen) , and the eternal battle> > Hjaр╕гр╕Рningavр╕гр╕Ðg. In the end of the story, the arrival of Christianity dissolves> > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarр╕гр╕Цk.> > > > "Freyja was a human in Asia and was the favorite concubine of Odin, King of> > Asialand. When this woman wanted to buy a golden necklace (no name given)> > forged by four dwarves (named Dvalinn, Alfrik, Berling, and Grer), she> > offered them gold and silver but they replied that they would only sell it> > to her if she would lie a night by each of them. She came home afterward> > with the necklace and kept silent as if nothing happened. But a man called> > Loki somehow knew it, and came to tell Odin. King Odin commanded Loki to> > steal the necklace, so Loki turned into a fly to sneak into Freyja's bower> > and stole it. When Freyja found her necklace missing, she came to ask king> > Odin. In exchange for it, Odin ordered her to make two kings, each served by> > twenty kings, fight forever unless some christened men so brave would dare> > to enter the battle and slay them. She said yes, and got that necklace back.> > Under the spell, king Hр╕гр╕Цgni and king Heр╕гр╕Рinn battled for one hundred and> > forty-three years, as soon as they fell down they had to stand up again and> > fight on. But in the end, the great Christian lord Olaf Tryggvason arrived> > with his brave christened men, and whoever slain by a Christian would stay> > dead. Thus the pagan curse was finally dissolved by the arrival of> > Christianity. After that, the noble man, king Olaf, went back to his realm.> > [35]> > > > This late work of Christian saga authors[21] is quite obviously a propaganda> > and does not represent an authentic pagan tradition (here Odin, the chief> > pagan god, somehow talked about Christianity, the religion that considers> > Odin and other pagan deities "devils"[36] ). The Christian priests Jon> > Thordson and Magnus Thorhalson, who respectively wrote and revised the Olaf> > sagas in the Flateyjarbр╕гр╕"k, put this line in their manuscript: "May God> > Almighty and the Virgin bless both the one that wrote and the one that> > dictated!"[34]> > > > The battle of Hр╕гр╕Цgni and Heр╕гр╕Рinn is recorded in the skaldic poem Ragnarsdrр╕гр╕Бpa> > and in Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (section 49): king Hр╕гр╕Цgni's daughter, Hildr, is> > kidnapped by king Heр╕гр╕Рinn. When Hр╕гр╕Цgni comes to fight Heр╕гр╕Рinn on an island,> > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of Heр╕гр╕Рinn for peace;> > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to make them> > fight until Ragnarр╕гр╕Цk.[26] Both these earlier sources never mention Odin or> > Freyja, much less king Olaf Tryggvason, the historical figure who> > Christianized Norway and Iceland in the 10th Century. The stealing of> > Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen is recorded in the skaldic poem Hр╕гр╕Ъsdrр╕гр╕Бpa and Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl of> > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen, Heimdall contends with Loki> > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen to Freyja. Here the> > story is borrowed and changed that Heimdall is removed.[26] In both the> > Elder Edda and the Younger Edda, as well as many old skadic poems preserved> > in Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl, Freyja is the wife of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr,[37] not a concubine of Odin.> > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist in any> > sources beside Sр╕гр╕Цrla р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Бttr, and curiously, in Lokasenna, when Loki accuses> > goddesses for various vices, he does not even mention that. On the other> > hand, Saxo Grammaticus in his Gesta Danorum wrote a somewhat similar story> > about Frigg sleeping with a servant to obtain a device to steal Odin's gold;> > in both stories, the chief pagan god Odin is depicted as a cuckold. But Saxo> > as a follower of Archbishop Absalon, repeatedly stated that "Odin is a> > false god and together with Thor and others they borrowed the name and> > divinity of Latin and Greek gods to trick Scandinavians into recognizing> > them as a gods," and his accounts are heavily romanticized such as Baldr> > (Balderus) and Hр╕гр╕Цр╕гр╕Рr (Hр╕гр╕Шtherus) were not brothers, but love rivals over Nanna> > (in this account is a princess of Norway).[38]> > > > [edit] Gesta Danorum> > > > In Saxo Grammaticus' s Gesta Danorum, Freyja is theorized as appearing under> > the name of Sр╕гр╕Ðr (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for marriage by a giant,> > and she travelled seeking for р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr (Otharus) who had slain the giant to save> > her.[16][21]> > > > [edit] Oral Traditions> > > > Rural Scandinavians remained dependent on the forces of nature, fertility> > gods remained important and in rural 19th century Sweden, Freyja retained> > elements of her role as a fertility goddess.[39] In the province of Smр╕гр╕Еland,> > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning in this> > respect:[39]> > > > Jag minns en sр╕гр╕Цndag pр╕гр╕Е 1880-talet, det var nр╕гр╕Еgra gubbar ute och gick bland> > р╕гр╕Еkrarna och tittade pр╕гр╕Е rр╕гр╕Еgen som snart var mogen. Dр╕гр╕Е sa Mр╕гр╕Еns i Karryd: "Nu р╕гр╕Д> > Frр╕гр╕Цa ute р╕гр╕Е sir р╕гр╕Дtter om rр╕гр╕Еjen р╕гр╕Дr mogen." [...] Nр╕гр╕Дr jag som liten pojke satt> > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dр╕гр╕Еtida barn mycket rр╕гр╕Дdd fр╕гр╕Цr> > р╕гр╕Еskan. Nр╕гр╕Дr kornblixtarna syntes om kvр╕гр╕Дllarna, sade Katrina: "Du sa inte va> > rр╕гр╕Дdd barn lella, dр╕гр╕Д р╕гр╕Д bara Frр╕гр╕Цa som р╕гр╕Д ute р╕гр╕Е slр╕гр╕Еr ell med stр╕гр╕Еl р╕гр╕Е flenta fр╕гр╕Цr р╕гр╕Е> > si etter om kornet р╕гр╕Д moet. Ho р╕гр╕Д snр╕гр╕Дll ve folk р╕гр╕Е gр╕гр╕Цr dр╕гр╕Д bare fр╕гр╕Цr р╕гр╕Е hjр╕гр╕Дlpa, ho> > gр╕гр╕Цr inte som Tor, han slр╕гр╕Еr ihjр╕гр╕Дl bр╕гр╕Еde folk р╕гр╕Е fр╕гр╕Д, nр╕гр╕Дr han lynna [...] Jag har> > sedan hр╕гр╕Цrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pр╕гр╕Е ungefр╕гр╕Дr samma sр╕гр╕Дtt.[40]I> > remember a Sunday in the 1880s, when some men were walking in the fields> > looking at the rye which was about to ripen. Then Mр╕гр╕Еns in Karryd said: "Now> > Freyja is out watching if the rye is ripe" [...] When as a boy I was> > visiting the old Proud-Katrina, I was afraid of lightning like all boys in> > those days. When the sheet lightning flared in the nights, Katrina said: > > Don't be afraid little child, it is only Freyja who is out making fire with> > steel and flintstone to see if the rye is ripe. She is kind to people and> > she is only doing it to be of service, she is not like Thor, he slays both> > people and livestock, when he is in the mood" [...] I later heard several> > old folks talk of the same thing in the same way.[41]> > > > > > > > In Vр╕гр╕Дrend, Freyja could also arrive at Christmas night and she used to shake> > the apple trees for the sake of a good harvest and consequently people left> > some apples in the trees for her sake.[39] Moreover, it was dangerous to> > leave the plough outdoors, because if Freyja sat on it, it would no longer> > be of any use.[39]> > > > [edit] Potential continental Germanic Sources> > > > Further information: Frр╕др╕Лge> > > > Recorded during the 9th or 10th century, though dating to an unknown earlier> > time, one of the two Merseburg Incantations, from Merseburg, Germany> > mentions a figure named Frр╕гр╕Оia or Frр╕гр╕Ыa (Frр╕гр╕"wa)[16], who places an enchantment> > on the wounded horse of Balder and Wodan (Odin). This figure has been> > theorized as Freyja[16][42] and as Frigg.[20]> > > > More to this confusion, the Origo Gentis Langobardorum (Origin of the> > Lombards, written in the 7th Century) mentions Frea, a goddess of love; and> > Historia Langobardorum (History of the Lombards, written in the 8th Century)> > also mentions the story of Frea (Freja)[43] and how she gave the Lombards> > their name. But this goddess is described as the wife of Godan (Odin), which> > in Norse accounts is Frigg. On the other hand, it is Freyja, not Frigg, who> > is the goddess of love in Norse accounts.[44]> > > > Tacitus in his work Germania (1st Century) briefly mentioned the worship of> > a mother goddess, a female Freyr, that is Freyja.[16] Tacitus also mentioned> > the goddess Nerthus, whom has been linked to Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr, Freyja,[17] and Freyr> > [16]> > > > [edit] Receiver of half the slain> > > > Freyja receives half of the spirits of warriors who had died bravely in> > battle. Snorri writes in Gylfaginning (24) that "wherever she rides to> > battle, she gets half the slain."[45]> > > > Further, from Grр╕гр╕Ðmnismр╕гр╕Бl:> > > > The ninth is Fр╕гр╕"lkvangr, where bright Freyja decrees > > > > where in the hall warriors shall sit: > > > > Some of the fallen belong to her, > > > > And some belong to Odin.> > > > Freyja is also called Eigandi valfalls (Possessor of the slain)[46] and> > Valfreyja,[47] Mistress of the slain and of the Valkyries in general.[16]> > > > In Egil's Saga, Thorgerda (р╕гÑâ”â•œorgerр╕гр╕Рr), threatens to commit suicide in the> > wake of her brother's death, saying: "I shall not eat until I sup with> > Freyja." This should be taken to mean that she expected to pass to Freyja's> > hall upon her death.> > > > Another point of view explains a difference between Odin's Einherjar and> > Freyja's; the oral tradition, or р╕г"р╕гр╕Рal property, explains that Odin's> > warriors are "the offensive," or those who dedicate their life to fighting.> > Freyjaр╣ВтВмÑâ”â•œs warriors are "the defensive", or those who only fight to protect> > their families, clans or goods. The historian Else Roesdahl noticed that a> > difference between the two cultures in regards to burials containing weapons> > In those in Norway the buried warriors had defensive shields, and in> > Denmark they had only offensive weapons.[48]> > > > [edit] Possessions> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja, depicted in a painting by J. Penrose.> > > > Surviving tales regarding Freyja often associate Freyja with numerous> > enchanted possessions.> > > > [edit] Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen> > > > Main article: Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen> > > > Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of gold and amber,> > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings, Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen is> > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (31), it is written that women often> > wore "stone-necklaces" as a part of a woman's apparels, to indicate their> > social status. That is the reason why woman is paraphrased with reference to> > jewels and agates.> > > > [edit] Falcon Cloak> > > > Freyja owns a cloak of falcon feathers, which can give her the ability to> > change into the guise of any birds, and to fly between worlds. It is called> > Valshamr, the "hawk's plumage" "falcon skin," or "falcon-feathered cloak" in> > different translations. The same magical cloak was also assigned to Frigg in> > some tales.> > > > [edit] Cat-drawn Chariot> > > > > > > > > > > > A depiction of Freyja riding a cat-driven chariot and flanked by Italian> > Renaissance- inspired putti by Swedish painter Nils Blommр╕гр╕Йr.> > > > Freyja often rides on a chariot drawn by a pair of large cats. She rode this> > chariot to Baldur's funeral. These cats are called Gib-cats in the Prose> > Edda. They are thought to be either Norwegian forest cats [49] or Lynx. Cats> > are sacred to Freyja, just as wolves are to Odin. "When a bride goes to the> > wedding in fine weather, they say 'she has fed the cat well,' not offended> > the favourite of the love-goddess. "[16]> > > > Freyja is considered a warrior goddess among her many roles. The chariot> > also is a warlike attribute and often given to exalted deities only.[16]> > This does not mean that every exalted Germanic deity must have a wagon, but> > most of them have special rides. Odin and Heimdallr have horses, Thor has a> > chariot drawn by goats, Freyr has a boar, but Freyja has both chariot and> > boar.> > > > [edit] Hildisvini> > > > Freyja also rides a golden-bristled boar called Hildisvini (Battle-Swine)> > which appeared only in the poem Hyndluljр╕гр╕"р╕гр╕Р. Later we are told that the boar> > is her protр╕гр╕Йgр╕гр╕Й, р╕г"ttar, but it seems that р╕г"ttar was temporarily disguised as> > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is р╕г"ttar. The boar has special associations> > within Norse Mythology, both relative to the notion of fertility and also as> > a protective talisman in war.> > > > In Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (14), Freyr is described as riding on another> > golden-bristled boar, Gullinbursti, which may be one and the same with> > Freyja's.> > > > The battle-bold Freyr rideth > > > > First on the golden-bristled > > > > Barrow-boar to the bale-fire > > > > Of Baldur, and leads the people.> > > > [edit] Other names> > > > [edit] Forms of "Freyja"> > > > Freyja > > > > Freyju > > > > Freja - common Danish and literary Swedish form.> > > > Freia > > > > Freya - common English form > > > > Frya - Frisian form > > > > Frea - History of the Langobards > > > > Freo > > > > Frowa > > > > Froya - Faroese form > > > > Frр╕гр╕Шya, Frр╕гр╕Цa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form. > > > > Frр╕гр╕Цe - a Danish form > > > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as the fair sun> > "den vр╕гр╕Дna solen" (Vana: from "Vanir", means beautiful[50] ) > > > > Friia, Frр╕др╕Лa - second Merseburg Charm > > > > Frija - variant of Friia > > > > Freija - Finnish form> > > > [edit] Other forms> > > > > > > > > > > > Hр╕гр╕Дrnevi which means "Hр╕гр╕Цrn's shrine" was once a sacred location dedicated to> > Freyja, in Uppland, Sweden.> > > > According to Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, Freyja also bore the following> > names:> > > > Vanadр╕гр╕Ðs, which means "Dр╕гр╕Ðs of the Vanir" or "fair goddess" (vр╕гр╕Дna means> > beautiful); > > > > Mardр╕гр╕Цll, which means "sea-bright" (mar: "sea", dр╕гр╕Цll: feminine of dallr > > bright light", cf. Heimdallr); > > > > Hр╕гр╕Цrn, which may be related to the word hр╕гр╕Цrr meaning "flax", "linen"; > > > > Gefn, which means "the giver", is a suitable name for a fertility goddess; > > > > Sр╕гр╕Ðr, whose translation is "sow", illustrates the association of the Vanir> > with pigs and fertility.> > > > In the famous Njal's Saga, another title of Freyja is mentioned: Valfreyja,> > which means "Mistress of the Chosen", "Mistress of the Slain" (cf. Valfaр╕гр╕Рir > > Father of the Slain" (Odin), Valkyrja "Chooser of the Slain").> > > > [edit] Kennings> > > > [show]Kennings> > > > Gold is called Tears of Freyja: > > > > Many a fearless swordsman > > > > Received the Tears of Freyja > > > > The more the morn when foemen > > > > We murdered; we were present> > > > Rр╕гр╕"di's Roof's great Ice-Lump > > > > For the Rain of Freyja's Eyelids > > > > Grows not less, my fair axe-head; > > > > His age my lord so useth.> > > > I received the Ice of Wed Rims, > > > > With Freyja's golden Eye-Thaw, > > > > From the upright prince high-hearted; > > > > We bear in hand the Helm's Hurt.> > > > Gold is called Tears of Mardр╕гр╕Цll:> > > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings, > > > > The Tear of Mardр╕гр╕Цll lieth, > > > > We bear the axe shield-splitting, > > > > Swollen with Serpent's lair-gold.> > > > ...> > > > The free-handed Lord gave, > > > > The heroes accepted, > > > > Sif's firm-grown tresses, > > > > Ice of the bow-force, > > > > Otter-gild unwilling, > > > > Weeping of Mardр╕гр╕Цll, > > > > Fire-flame of р╕г"run, > > > > Idi's fine Speeches.> > > > Gold is called Tears of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr's Bride:> > > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice, > > > > With tear-gold is unminished, > > > > The Eye-rain of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr's Bride: > > > > His age the King so useth.> > > > Jewel is called Child of Hр╕гр╕Цrn:> > > > Hр╕гр╕Цrn's Child, the glorious adornment, > > > > I own, gold-wound a jewel > > > > Most fair to the shield's rim > > > > Fast is the golden Sea-Flame:> > > > Gem is called Niece of Freyr, Gold is called Tears of Hnoss's Mother:> > > > On the gem, Freyr's Niece, the tear-drift > > > > Of the fore-head of her Mother > > > > She bears; the Raven-Feeder > > > > Gave me Frр╕гр╕"di's seed-gold's fostering.> > > > Gem is called Child of Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's Daughter:> > > > A defence of songs full goodly > > > > He freely gave me, neighbor > > > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly > > > > Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's Daughter's golden gem-child.> > > > Fair things are called Daughter of Freyja:> > > > The awesome Stately Urger > > > > Of Odin, he who raises > > > > The struggle stern, gave to me > > > > The courage-stalwart daughter > > > > Of the Vana-Bride, my fair axe; > > > > The valorous sword-mote's Ruler > > > > Led Gefn's girl to the Skald's bed, > > > > Set with the sea-flame's gold-work.> > > > > > > > "It is proper to join 'tears' with all the names of Freyja, and to call gold> > by such terms; and in divers ways these periphrases have been varied, so> > that gold is called Hail, or Rain, or Snow-Storm, or Drops, or Showers, or> > Water falls of Freyja's Eyes, or Cheeks, or Brows, or Eyelids." (The Prose> > Edda, The poesy of Skalds or Poetical Diction (37), Snorri's teachings of> > how Freyja and Hnoss's names can be used as kennings for fair things like> > gold, jewels, and gems).> > > > [edit] Eponyms> > > > [edit] People> > > > > > > > > > > > A painting named "Freja" (1901) by Swedish painter Anders Zorn.> > > > Freya (and its variant forms) is a common Scandinavian female name. In 2005,> > the name Freja was the 5th most popular given name for Danish girls born> > that year.[51] The following year, 2006, the name became even more popular> > in Denmark, having risen to the 3rd most popular given name for girls born> > in 2006;[51] but it dropped to 4th place in 2007.[51] The name Freya was the> > 23rd (in 2006) and 25th (in 2007) most common given name for baby girls in> > England and Wales.[52]> > > > [edit] Places> > > > Many farms in Norway have Frр╕гр╕Шy- as the first element in their names, and the> > most common are the name Frр╕гр╕Шyland (13 farms). But whether Frр╕гр╕Шy- in these> > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is questionable> > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frр╕гр╕Шyjuhof, in Udenes parish,> > are however most probably the genitive case of the name Freyja. (The last> > element is hof 'temple', and a church was built on the farm in the Middle> > Ages, which indicates the location was an old holy place.) The same name,> > Frр╕гр╕Шyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjр╕гр╕Шrdal. There are also two> > islands named Frр╕гр╕Шya in Norway.> > > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies the farm> > Ryland (Norse Rр╕гр╕Ðgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rр╕гр╕Ðgr > > lady' (identical with the meaning of the name Freyja, see above). Since the> > neighbouring farms have the names Hopland (Norse Hofland 'temple land') and> > Totland (Norse р╕гÑâ”╜р╕гр╕"rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible that rр╕гр╕Ðgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rр╕гр╕Ðgja) may occur in the name of the Norwegian> > municipality Rygge.> > > > There's Horn in Iceland and Hoorn in Holland, various places in the German> > lands are called Freiburg (burg meaning something like settlement).> > > > [edit] Plants> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja's hair - Polygala vulgaris - a species of the genus Polygala.> > > > Several plants were named after Freyja, such as Freyja's tears and Freyja's> > hair (Polygala vulgaris), but after the introduction of Christianity, they> > were renamed after the Virgin in order to more fully eradicate the> > native traditions.[ 53]> > > > [edit] Friday> > > > The name Friday comes from the Old English frigedр╕гр╕Жg, meaning the day of> > Frige the Anglo-Saxon form of Frigg, a West Germanic translation of Latin> > dies Veneris, "day (of the planet) Venus."> > > > However, in most Germanic languages the day is named after Freyjaр╣ВтВм"such as> > Frр╕др╕Лatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German, Freyjudagr in Old> > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danishр╣ВтВм"but Freyja> > and Frigg are frequently identified with each other. From these languages,> > the name has also been adopted by Estonian language as reede.> > > > [edit] Misc> > > > The chemical element Vanadium is named after Freyja via her alternative name> > Vanadр╕гр╕Ðs. The Orion constellation was called Frigg's distaff or Freyja's> > distaff (Frejerock). [53]> > > > [edit] Homologues> > > > It has been proposed that Freyja may be the most direct mythological> > descendant from Nerthus.[17] Nerthus, a goddess associated with a number of> > Germanic tribes as described by Tacitus in the 1 AD in his work Germania, is> > sometimes identified with Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr through etymological connections. The first> > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter. Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr married his> > sister; they have a son, Freyr, and a daughter, Freyja. This secondary pair> > of deities may be an "emanation" of the first.[54] Like Freyja's chariot,> > the early Germanic goddess Nerthus was also often described as riding a> > wagon.> > > > Britt-Mari Nр╕гр╕Дsstrр╕гр╕Цm posits in her "Freyja: the Great Goddess of the North"> > that there is a tenable connection from Freyja to other goddesses worshiped> > along the migration path of the Indo-Europeans who consistently appeared> > with either one or two cats/lions as companions, usually in the war goddess> > aspect but occasionally also as a love goddess. These would include: Durga,> > Ereshkegal, Sekhmet, Menhit, Bast, Anat, Asherah, Nana, Cybele, Rhea, and> > others.[55]> > > > [edit] Freyja in Modern Culture> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja and the apple tree at the end of the world as depicted in an> > illustration by Arthur Rackham.> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja taken away by the giants as depicted in an illustration by Arthur> > Rackham.> > > > Freyja, in her German variant name "Freia", appears in Wagner's> > massive opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen which includes Das Rheingold,> > Die Walkр╕гр╕Ьre, Siegfried, and Gр╕гр╕Цtterdр╕гр╕Дmmerung. This has led to many portrayals> > based on Wagner's interpretation, although some are closer to pre-Wagnerian> > models. Since Wagner's time, numerous depictions and references have entered> > popular culture to varying extents. In Wagner's depiction, Freyja is Frigg's> > sister. She is the goddess of beauty who guards the golden apples. When she> > was captured by two giants Fasolt and Fafnir, the gods quickly became old> > and ugly, and Odin had to pay the giants a hefty ransom including the> > Tarnhelm and the Ring of the Nibelung which he robbed from Alberich to get> > her back.> > > > > > > > > > > > Thor, Freyr, Frigg, Odin, and Loki became old due to the loss of Freyja and> > her apples as depicted in an illustration by Arthur Rackham.> > > > [edit] Potential connections> > > > [edit] Frigg> > > > Main article: Frigg#Connection_ between_Frigg_ and_Freyja> > > > Frigg is the highest goddess of the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir, while Freyja is the highest> > goddess of the Vanir. Many arguments have been made both for and against the> > idea that Frigg and Freyja are really the same goddess, avatars of one> > another.[56] [57][58][ 59] Some arguments are based on linguistic analysis,> > others on the fact that Freyja wasn't known in southern Germany, only in the> > north, and in some places the two goddesses were considered to be the same,> > while in others they were considered to be different.[60]> > > > [edit] Gefjun> > > > Main article: Gefjun#Possible_ connections_ with_Frigg_ and_Freyja> > > > Some modern scholars think that the minor goddess Gefjun is an avatar of> > Frigg or Freyja because of their many similarities. [61]> > > > [edit] Gullveig> > > > Main article: Gullveig#Theories> > > > Due to a number of similarities, a hypothesis supported by > > Turville-Petre[ 62] is that Gullveig, a seeress mentioned in Vр╕гр╕Цluspр╕гр╕Б, is> > another name for Freyja.> > > > [edit] See also> > > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja > > > > > > > > Blр╕гр╕"t > > > > Hр╕гр╕Цrgr > > > > List of women warriors in folklore, literature, and popular culture> > > > [edit] References> > > > ^ Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Norse Mythology" > > > > ^ , Gareth (2001) "We know almost nothing about pagan religious> > practices in the Viking Age... Occasional references to paganism in the> > Viking sagas were written down 200 years after the conversion to> > Christianity. "[1] "And it is not always clear where the compilers of the> > sagas used earlier material and where they simply made things up. There is a> > further problem that the sagas are primarily works of literature. Both> > events and particularly speech might well be rewritten to give a particular> > literary effect."[2] > > > > ^ W. A. Craigie, "Religion of Ancient Scandinavia" (1914), p.2: "These works> > were written in Iceland during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and> > most of them are separated by more than a century and a half from the period> > of time to which they relate. As the authors were in every case Christians,> > and many of them were ecclesiastics, it is obvious that the late evidence> > thus afforded us is not to be absolutely relied upon." > > > > ^ a b c d Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Freya" > > > > ^ Frithiof's Saga: > > > > A song of Valhal's brightness, > > > > And all its gods and goddesses, > > > > He'd think: "Yes!" yellow's Freyja's hair, > > > > A corn-land sea, breeze-waved so fair.> > > > ^ Frithiof's Saga: > > > > And blue are Freyja's eyes to see, > > > > Blue as heaven's cloudless canopy! > > > > But I know eyes to whose bright beams > > > > The light blue spring-day darksome seems.> > > > ^ a b c d e f Henry A. Bellows. (Trans.). (1936). The Poetic Edda. Princeton> > University Press 1936. (HTML version transcribed by Ari Odhinnsen available> > at Northvegr: Lore: Poetic Edda - Bellows Trans.) > > > > ^ Steinsland, G. & Meulengracht Sр╕гр╕Шrensen, P. (1998): Mр╕гр╕Дnniskor och makter i> > vikingarnas vр╕гр╕Дrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72 > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrр╕гр╕Ъnargrр╕гр╕Бtr. Undersр╕гр╕Цkningar i Germanisk Mythologi by> > Viktor Eydberg (1889) > > > > ^ Saga of Hр╕гр╕Еkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och> > tradition by Ebbe Schр╕гр╕Цn. > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda, Grр╕гр╕Ðmnismр╕гр╕Бl. > > > > ^ a b Heimskringla: history of the kings of Norway, Book I. Lee M. Hollander> > transl. University of Texas Press (1964). > > > > ^ The Religion of the Northmen by Rudolf Keyser. Barclay Pennock, transl.> > (1854) Chapter XXIV "Sorcery". > > > > ^ a b Keyser, Rudolph, History Professor of University of Norway, > > Nordmр╕гр╕Жndenes Religionsforfatning I hedendommen" (1854), Pennock, Barclay.> > Transl. > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897). Gylfaginning (35)> > Frigg is the foremost... the sixth is Freyja, who is ranked with Frigg > > > > ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Grimm, . Deutsche Mythologie (1835) S.> > Stallybras transl. (2004) "Teutonic Mythology", Dover Publications ISBN> > 0-486-43615- 2 > > > > ^ a b c Ellis son, H.R. Gods And Myths Of Northern Europe (1965) ISBN> > 0140136274 > > > > ^ It is written in the Septuagint that "All the Gods of the heathens are> > devils!", Sir Lancelot C. L. Brenton's translation. > > > > ^ a b c d Thorpe, . (Trans.). (1866). Edda Sр╕гр╕Жmundar Hinns Froр╕гр╕Рa: The> > Edda Of Sр╕гр╕Жmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trр╕гр╕Ьbner & Co. 1866. (HTML> > version transcribed by Ari Odhinnsen available at Northvegr: Lore: Poetic> > Edda - Thorpe Trans.) > > > > ^ a b c d e Lindow, . Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes,> > Rituals, and Beliefs (2001) Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN> > 0-19-515382- 0. > > > > ^ a b c d e f Rydberg, Viktor (1889). "Teutonic Mythology". Rasmus B.> > transl. London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co. (2001), Elibron Classics.> > ISBN 1-4021-9391- 2. "Fр╕гр╕Дdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers' Godsagas) (1887).> > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978- 4 > > > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vр╕гр╕Дrldens vackraste smycke.' in Jordens moder i Norden.> > Stockholm: Carlssons, 1994. p. 111-2. > > > > ^ The Thor song (Swedish) > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda (2nd edition), Lee M. Hollander, transl. University of> > Texas Press (1990). > > > > ^ a b The Prose Edda of Snorri Sturlson (Eysteinn Bjр╕гр╕Цrnsson's Edition) in> > original Old Norse text. Online version can be found here:[3] > > > > ^ a b c d e f g Brodeur, Arthur Gilchrist. (Trans.) The Prose Edda of Snorri> > Sturlson (1916) Transcribed by Alfta Lothursdottir and available online via> > the Northvegr Foundation here:[4] > > > > ^ The Ynglinga saga. Laing transl. London (1844). > > > > ^ Book V of Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri> > Sturlson, Laing transl. (1844). > > > > ^ Njр╕гр╕Бl's Saga or The Story of Burnt Njal, W. DaSent transl. (1861). > > > > ^ W. A. Craigie, "Religion of Ancient Scandinavia" (1914) > > > > ^ T. Kendrick, "History of the Vikings" (1930), p.349, 350. > > > > ^ The Greatest Saga of Olaf Tryggvason, Fornmanna sр╕гр╕Цgur > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,> > Foresman & Co. (1901). > > > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book. Norrр╕гр╕Жna> > Society, London (1908). > > > > ^ This short story is also known as "The Saga of Hр╕гр╕Цgni and Hedinn". English> > translation can be found at Northvegr: Three Northern Love Stories and Other> > Tales. > > > > ^ Old Saxon Baptismal vow in Vatican Codex pal. 577: "I renounce all the> > words and works of the devil, Thunear (Thor), Woden (Odin), and Seaxneat,> > and all those fiends that are their associates." (Thorpe, (1851). > > Northern mythology". ) > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, the poem Vр╕гр╕Цluspр╕гр╕Б. The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning (section> > 35) and Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (various kennings) > > > > ^ Saxo Grammaticus, "The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo> > Grammaticus" , Oliver Elton transl. Norroena Society, New York (1905). > > > > ^ a b c d Schр╕гр╕Цn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och> > tradition. Fр╕гр╕Дlt & Hр╕гр╕Дssler, Vр╕гр╕Дrnamo. p. 227-228. > > > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gр╕гр╕Цth, cited in Schр╕гр╕Цn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors> > hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och tradition. Fр╕гр╕Дlt & Hр╕гр╕Дssler, Vр╕гр╕Дrnamo. p.> > 227-228.) > > > > ^ Translation provided by Wikipedia editors. > > > > ^ Jeep, . 'Medieval Germany: An Encyclopedia' . (2001) Routledge. p.112.> > ISBN 0-8240-7644- 3 > > > > ^ us Diaconus, History of the Langobards, Book I, Chapter VIII. > > Foulke, transl. University of Pennsylvania (1907). > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (Section XX). > > > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London: Everyman> > ISBN 0-460-87616- 3. > > > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guр╕гр╕Рni Jр╕гр╕"nsson's Edition. > > > > ^ Njр╕гр╕Бl's Saga or The Story of Burnt Njal > > > > ^ Anne Nissen Jaubert. Vikings, investigation into the secrecies of the> > Masters of the sea. Science and life nр╕вр╕Р80 April 2004. National Institute of> > Preventive Archaeological Research. > > > > ^ Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Norwegian Forest Cats" > > > > ^ Snorri's Edda, I. A. Blackwell, transl. Foot notes. > > > > ^ a b c Statistics Denmark. For 2005, see: [5] > > > > ^ As per the Office for National Statistics' official website, viewable> > online here:[6] > > > > ^ a b Schр╕гр╕Цn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och> > tradition. Fр╕гр╕Дlt & Hр╕гр╕Дssler, Vр╕гр╕Дrnamo. p. 228. > > > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schр╕гр╕Ьtte. > > > > ^ Nр╕гр╕Дsstrр╕гр╕Цm, Britt-Mari. Freyja: the Great Goddess of the North. University> > of Lund, 1995. Harwich Port: Clock & Rose, 2003. ISBN 1-59386-019- 6. > > > > ^ son, Hilda Ellis. (1998). Roles of the Northern Goddess, page 10.> > London: Routlege. > > > > ^ Grundy, , Freyja and Frigg, pages 56-67. > > > > ^ Nasstrom, Nр╕гр╕Дsstrр╕гр╕Цm. Freyja, a goddess with many names, pages 68-77. > > > > ^ Billington, & Green, Miranda (Eds.) (1996). The Concept of the> > Goddess. London: Routlege. > > > > ^ Welsh, Lynda. (2001). Goddess of the North, page 75. York Beach: Weiser> > Books. > > > > ^ son, Hilda Ellis. Roles of the Northern Goddess (1998). > > > > ^ Turville, Petre. E.O.G. Myth and Religion of the North: The Religion of> > Ancient Scandinavia. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1964.> > > > [show] > > > > v р╣ВтВмр╕В d р╣ВтВмр╕В e> > > > Norse mythology and paganism> > > > > > > > Deities,> > > > heroes,> > > > and figuresр╕гÑâ”â•œsirBaldr р╕вр╕Ч Bragi р╕вр╕Ч Forseti р╕вр╕Ч Dellingr р╕вр╕Ч Freyr р╕вр╕Ч Heimdallr р╕вр╕Ч> > Hermр╕гр╕"р╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Hр╕гр╕Цр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Hр╕е"nir р╕вр╕Ч Loki р╕вр╕Ч Meili р╕вр╕Ч Lр╕гр╕"р╕гр╕Рurr р╕вр╕Ч Mр╕гр╕Ðmir р╕вр╕Ч Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч р╕г"р╕гр╕Рinn р╕вр╕Ч> > р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”╜р╕гр╕"rr р╕вр╕Ч Tр╕гр╕Ðr р╕вр╕Ч Ullr р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Бli р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Ðр╕гр╕Рarr р╕вр╕Ч Vili and Vр╕гр╕Й> > > > > > > > р╕гÑâ”â•œsynjurBil р╕вр╕Ч Eir р╕вр╕Ч Freyja р╕вр╕Ч Frigg р╕вр╕Ч Fulla р╕вр╕Ч Gerр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Gefjon р╕вр╕Ч Gnр╕гр╕Б р╕вр╕Ч Hlр╕гр╕Ðn р╕вр╕Ч> > Ilmr р╕вр╕Ч Iр╕гр╕Рunn р╕вр╕Ч Irpa р╕вр╕Ч Lofn р╕вр╕Ч Nanna р╕вр╕Ч Njр╕гр╕Цrun р╕вр╕Ч Rр╕гр╕Бn р╕вр╕Ч Rindr р╕вр╕Ч Sр╕гр╕Бga р╕вр╕Ч Sif р╕вр╕Ч> > Sigyn р╕вр╕Ч Sjр╕гр╕Цfn р╕вр╕Ч Skaр╕гр╕Рi р╕вр╕Ч Snotra р╕вр╕Ч Sр╕гр╕"l р╕вр╕Ч Syn р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”â•œorgerр╕гр╕Рr Hр╕гр╕Цlgabrр╕гр╕Ър╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”â•œrр╕гр╕Ър╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч> > Vр╕гр╕Бr р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цr> > > > > > > > OthersAsk and Embla р╕вр╕Ч Dр╕гр╕Ðs (Norns р╕вр╕Ч Valkyries) р╕вр╕Ч Dwarves р╕вр╕Ч Einherjar р╕вр╕Ч Elves> > (Light elves р╕вр╕Ч Dark elves) р╕вр╕Ч Fenrir р╕вр╕Ч Hel р╕вр╕Ч Jр╕гр╕Цrmungandr р╕вр╕Ч Giants р╕вр╕Ч Sigurd р╕вр╕Ч> > Trolls р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цlundr> > > > > > > > > > > > LocationsAsgard р╕вр╕Ч Bifrр╕гр╕Цst р╕вр╕Ч Fр╕гр╕"lkvangr р╕вр╕Ч Ginnungagap р╕вр╕Ч Hel р╕вр╕Ч Midgard р╕вр╕Ч> > Mр╕гр╕Ъspellsheimr р╕вр╕Ч Niflheim р╕вр╕Ч Valhalla р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Ðgrр╕гр╕Ðр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Wells (Mр╕гр╕Ðmisbrunnr р╕вр╕Ч> > Hvergelmir р╕вр╕Ч Urр╕гр╕Рarbrunnr) р╕вр╕Ч Yggdrasil> > > > > > > > Eventsр╕гÑâ”â•œsirр╣ВтВм"Vanir Warр╣ВтВмÑâ”â•œ р╕вр╕Ч Fimbulvetr р╕вр╕Ч Ragnarр╕гр╕Цk> > > > > > > > SourcesGesta Danorum р╕вр╕Ч Poetic Edda р╕вр╕Ч Prose Edda р╕вр╕Ч Runestones р╕вр╕Ч Sagas р╕вр╕Ч> > Tyrfing Cycle р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цlsung Cycle р╕вр╕Ч Old Norse language р╕вр╕Ч Orthography р╕вр╕Ч Later> > influence> > > > > > > > SocietyBlр╕гр╕"t р╕вр╕Ч Fр╕гр╕Йlag р╕вр╕Ч Germanic calendar р╕вр╕Ч Heiti р╕вр╕Ч Hр╕гр╕Цrgr р╕вр╕Ч Kenning р╕вр╕Ч Mead> > hall р╕вр╕Ч Nр╕др╕Лр╕гр╕Ю р╕вр╕Ч Norse pagan worship р╕вр╕Ч Numbers р╕вр╕Ч Runic calendar р╕вр╕Ч Seiр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Skald > > р╕вр╕Ч Viking Age р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цlva> > > > > > > > OriginsGermanic paganism р╕вр╕Ч Proto-Indo-European religion> > > > > > > > See alsoNorse gods р╕вр╕Ч Mythological Norse people, items and places р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”â•œsatrр╕гр╕Ъ> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Reb, this is just plain tragic. Keeping all in your familyin my thoughts and meditations and in my slightly enlargedheart (born that way), where there is always plenty of room!Love to you, Reb,nTo: MSersLife Sent: Thu, December 31, 2009 3:09:52 AMSubject: Re: Reb, and the lousy gift......More lousy gifts The cold is resolving itself, but my family had another lousy gift this year. The father of my older sister and older brother (not a step-dad to me, because he was before my time, more like an uncle or so to me, he always did stay in touch with the family), was going to have Christmas dinner with my brother's family, on Christmas Eve (in Sweden we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day), but he slipped on the ice on his way from the car to the house, and hit his head. He never woke up from the coma, and I just learned (from my older sister) that he died yesterday. Is that a lousy gift for his grandkids and kids or what! An accident on Christmas is not how grandpa's, or dads (or anyone) should go. Keep his wife, his son and daughter (my brother and sister), and their families in your thoughts, please. love/Reb "She has a great variety of names, for having gone over many> > countries in search of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr, each people gave her a different name".)[21] In> > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sр╕гр╕Ðr (Latinized as> > Syritha) seeking for р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr/р╕г"ttar (Latinized as Otharus).[16] [21]> > > > The owner of Svadilfari: This giant came to offer to build a citidel for the> > gods in three seasons. He demanded to marry fair Freyja, also the sun and> > the moon as his rewards. Following Loki's ill advice, the gods accepted the> > deal, but they later urged Loki to deceive the giant to protect Freyja. Loki> > turned into a mare and seduced Svadilfari, the huge steed of the giant.> > Without his horse, the giant could not complete his job, he was enraged,> > insulted the gods, and eventually got slain by Thor before the deal was> > completed. Loki's prank ultimately backfired on him, and he bore the son of> > the horse Svadilfari, Sleipnir. (Gylfaginning (42))> > > > The abduction of Iр╕гр╕Рunn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and forced him to> > lure Iр╕гр╕Рunn out to kidnap her along with the golden apples. Without the> > apples of youth, the gods grew old and they soon found out that Iр╕гр╕Рunn was> > missing. She was last seen going with Loki, so they cornered the giant and> > threathened to slay him. Loki had to borrow the hawk's plumage of Freyja to> > go and free Iр╕гр╕Рunn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form, but he was> > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaр╕гр╕Рi, who later became Freyr> > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaр╕гр╕Рi's march to Asgard for vengeance ended in a> > marriage with Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr. (Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (1))> > > > Thor's duel: After his race with Odin, which he lost, the champion of the> > giants, Hrungnir, came to Asgard. Thor is absent, so he boasted that he> > would destroy Valhalla, slay all the gods, and take Freyja and Sif home with> > him. Of all goddesses, Freyja alone was brave enough to stand and pour ale> > for the giant to waste time while Thor is summoned. The god of thunder, with> > the help of his clever servant р╕гÑâ”â•œjр╕гр╕Бlfi, later slew Hrungnir in a duel, but> > Thor himself was struck by the giant's horn and also wounded. This is one of> > the reasons why the Hill Giants are amongst the gods' enemies at the final> > battle. (Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (17))> > > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir, can not be harmed by> > anything. Loki turned himself into a woman to trick Frigg into revealing> > that Baldur can only be hurt by the mistletoes. Loki then tricked the blind> > god Hр╕гр╕Цdr to shoot his brother with a mistletoe twig, thus Baldur was> > murdered by the evil giant Loki's trickery. "People of many races visited> > this burning. First is to be told of Odin, how Frigg and the Valkyries went> > with him, and his ravens; but Freyr drove in his chariot with the boar> > called Gold-Mane, or Fearful-Tusk, and Heimdallr rode the horse called> > Gold-Top, and Freyja drove in her chariot drawn by cats..." (Gylfaginning> > (49))> > > > [edit] Sagas of Icelanders> > > > The various Sagas of Icelanders contain numerous mentions of Freyja.> > > > [edit] Heimskringla> > > > According to the Ynglinga saga:> > > > "Dр╕гр╕"ttir Njarр╕гр╕Рar var Freyja, hon var blр╕гр╕"tgyр╕гр╕Рja, ok hon kendi fyrst meр╕гр╕Рр╕гÑâ”â•œsum> > seiр╕гр╕Р, sem Vр╕гр╕Цnum var tр╕гр╕Ðtt. р╕гÑâ”╜р╕гр╕Б er Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr var meр╕гр╕РVр╕гр╕Цnum, р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б hafр╕гр╕Рi hann р╕гр╕Бtta> > systr sр╕гр╕Ðna р╕гр╕Юvр╕гр╕Рat р╕гр╕Юat vр╕гр╕Бru р╕гр╕Юar lр╕гр╕Цg; vр╕гр╕Бru р╕гр╕Юeirra bр╕гр╕Цrn Freyr ok Freyja. En р╕гр╕Юat> > var bannat meр╕гр╕Рр╕гÑâ”â•œsum at byggja svр╕гр╕Б nр╕гр╕Бit at frр╕гр╕Жndsemi.""Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's daughter> > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir the magic> > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr was with the> > Vanir he had taken his own sister in marriage, for that was allowed by their> > law; and their children were Freyr and Freyja. But among the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir it was> > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations."> > > > > > > > After the deaths of Odin, Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr, and Freyr:> > > > "Freyja hр╕гр╕Йlt р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б upp blр╕гр╕"tum, р╕гр╕Юvр╕гр╕Рat hon ein lifр╕гр╕Рi р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б eptir goр╕гр╕Рanna, ok varр╕гр╕Р> > hon р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б hin frр╕гр╕Жgsta, svр╕гр╕Б at meр╕гр╕Рhennar nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,> > svр╕гр╕Б sem nр╕гр╕Ъ heita frр╕гр╕Ъvor. Svр╕гр╕Б heitir ok hver freyja yfir sinni eign, en sр╕гр╕Ъ> > hр╕гр╕Ъsfreyja, er bр╕гр╕Ъ р╕гр╕Б. Freyja var heldr marglynd; р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr hр╕гр╕Йt bр╕гр╕"ndi hennar, dр╕гр╕Жtr> > hennar hр╕гр╕Йtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Жr vр╕гр╕Бru fagrar mjр╕гр╕Цg: af р╕гр╕Юeirra nafni eru svр╕гр╕Б> > kallaр╕гр╕Рir hinir dр╕гр╕Ðrstu gripir.""Freyja alone remained of the gods, and she> > became on this account so celebrated that all women of distinction were> > called by her name, whence they now have the title Frр╕гр╕Ъ (Frau in German); so> > that every woman is called frр╕гр╕Ъ (frau in German), or mistress over her> > property, and the wife is called the house-Frр╕гр╕Ъ (Ehefrau in German). Freyja> > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her> > husband was called р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr, and her daughters Hnoss and Gersemi. They were so> > very beautiful, that afterwards the most precious jewels were called by> > their names."[27]> > > > > > > > In King Hр╕гр╕Еkon the Good's saga, Freyja is mentioned twice. First, regarding> > the sacrifices for the goddess (16):> > > > And first Odin's goblet was emptied for victory and power to his king.> > Thereafter, Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's and Freyja's goblets for peace and a good season> > > > Secondly, Freyja's golden tears for her husband are referenced:> > > > Although the king had gained of old > > > > Enough of Freyja's tears of gold, > > > > He spared himself no more than tho' > > > > He'd had no well-filled purse to show.[28]> > > > [edit] Other Sagas> > > > In Egils saga, when р╕гÑâ”â•œorgerр╕гр╕Рr threatened to commit suicide, she said: "No> > supper have I had, and none will I have till I sup with Freyja. I can do no> > better than does my father: I will not overlive my father and brother."> > > > In Hр╕гр╕Бlfs saga, Queen Signy, wife of King Alfrek, prayed for the help of> > Freyja in an ale-brewing contest. Her opponent, Geirhild, however, had the> > help of Odin, who gave her his drools as yeast. And so Signy lost.> > > > Frithiof's Saga mentions the tale of Freyja and р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr:> > > > Freyja one day > > > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away. > > > > Northward and southward she sought her > > > > Dearly-loved Oder.> > > > According to Njр╕гр╕Бls saga: "There had been a change of rulers in Norway, Earl> > Hacon was dead and gone, but in his stead was come Olaf Tryggvason. Along> > with that was heard that there had been a change of faith in Norway; they> > had cast off the old faith, but King Olaf had christened the western lands,> > Shetland, and the Orkneys, and the Faroe Isles. Then many men spoke so that> > Njal heard it, that it was a strange and wicked thing to throw off the old> > faith..." Then, Hjalti Skeggiason, an Icelander newly converted to> > Christianity, wished to express his contempt for the native gods, so he> > sang:> > > > "Ever will I Gods blaspheme > > > > Freyja methinks a dog does seem, > > > > Freyja a dog? Aye! Let them be > > > > Both dogs together Odin and she!"[29]> > > > Hjalti was found guilty of blasphemy for his infamous verse and he ran to> > Norway with his father-in-law, Gizur the White. Later, with Olaf Tryggvason> > s support, Gizur and Hjalti came back to Iceland to invite those assembled> > at the Althing to convert to Christianity. [30][31]> > > > The Saga of King Olaf Tryggvason, composed around 1300, describes that> > following King Olaf Tryggvason's orders, to prove their piety, people must> > insult and ridicule major heathen deities when they are newly converted into> > Christianity. Hallfreр╕гр╕Рr vandrр╕гр╕Жр╕гр╕Рaskр╕гр╕Бld, who was reluctantly converted from> > paganism to Christianity by Olaf, also had to make a poem to forsake pagan> > deities. Freyja is named among those major deities.[32]> > > > > > > > > > > > Historically, during the Christianization of Norway, King Olaf Tryggvason> > used elaborate ways to kill those who refused to Christianize.> > > > [edit] Flateyjarbр╕гр╕"k> > > > Sр╕гр╕Цrla р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Бttr is a short story in the later and extended version of the Saga> > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbр╕гр╕"k, which is> > written and compiled by two Christian priests, Jon Thordson and Magnus> > Thorhalson, in 14th-15th century.[34] The story borrows parts of> > Heimskringla (of how heathen deities are euhemerised) , parts of the poem> > Lokasenna (of Gefjun sleeping with a boy for a necklace), parts of the> > Hр╕гр╕Ъsdrр╕гр╕Бpa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen) , and the eternal battle> > Hjaр╕гр╕Рningavр╕гр╕Ðg. In the end of the story, the arrival of Christianity dissolves> > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarр╕гр╕Цk.> > > > "Freyja was a human in Asia and was the favorite concubine of Odin, King of> > Asialand. When this woman wanted to buy a golden necklace (no name given)> > forged by four dwarves (named Dvalinn, Alfrik, Berling, and Grer), she> > offered them gold and silver but they replied that they would only sell it> > to her if she would lie a night by each of them. She came home afterward> > with the necklace and kept silent as if nothing happened. But a man called> > Loki somehow knew it, and came to tell Odin. King Odin commanded Loki to> > steal the necklace, so Loki turned into a fly to sneak into Freyja's bower> > and stole it. When Freyja found her necklace missing, she came to ask king> > Odin. In exchange for it, Odin ordered her to make two kings, each served by> > twenty kings, fight forever unless some christened men so brave would dare> > to enter the battle and slay them. She said yes, and got that necklace back.> > Under the spell, king Hр╕гр╕Цgni and king Heр╕гр╕Рinn battled for one hundred and> > forty-three years, as soon as they fell down they had to stand up again and> > fight on. But in the end, the great Christian lord Olaf Tryggvason arrived> > with his brave christened men, and whoever slain by a Christian would stay> > dead. Thus the pagan curse was finally dissolved by the arrival of> > Christianity. After that, the noble man, king Olaf, went back to his realm.> > [35]> > > > This late work of Christian saga authors[21] is quite obviously a propaganda> > and does not represent an authentic pagan tradition (here Odin, the chief> > pagan god, somehow talked about Christianity, the religion that considers> > Odin and other pagan deities "devils"[36] ). The Christian priests Jon> > Thordson and Magnus Thorhalson, who respectively wrote and revised the Olaf> > sagas in the Flateyjarbр╕гр╕"k, put this line in their manuscript: "May God> > Almighty and the Virgin bless both the one that wrote and the one that> > dictated!"[34]> > > > The battle of Hр╕гр╕Цgni and Heр╕гр╕Рinn is recorded in the skaldic poem Ragnarsdrр╕гр╕Бpa> > and in Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (section 49): king Hр╕гр╕Цgni's daughter, Hildr, is> > kidnapped by king Heр╕гр╕Рinn. When Hр╕гр╕Цgni comes to fight Heр╕гр╕Рinn on an island,> > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of Heр╕гр╕Рinn for peace;> > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to make them> > fight until Ragnarр╕гр╕Цk.[26] Both these earlier sources never mention Odin or> > Freyja, much less king Olaf Tryggvason, the historical figure who> > Christianized Norway and Iceland in the 10th Century. The stealing of> > Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen is recorded in the skaldic poem Hр╕гр╕Ъsdrр╕гр╕Бpa and Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl of> > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen, Heimdall contends with Loki> > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen to Freyja. Here the> > story is borrowed and changed that Heimdall is removed.[26] In both the> > Elder Edda and the Younger Edda, as well as many old skadic poems preserved> > in Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl, Freyja is the wife of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr,[37] not a concubine of Odin.> > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist in any> > sources beside Sр╕гр╕Цrla р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Бttr, and curiously, in Lokasenna, when Loki accuses> > goddesses for various vices, he does not even mention that. On the other> > hand, Saxo Grammaticus in his Gesta Danorum wrote a somewhat similar story> > about Frigg sleeping with a servant to obtain a device to steal Odin's gold;> > in both stories, the chief pagan god Odin is depicted as a cuckold. But Saxo> > as a follower of Archbishop Absalon, repeatedly stated that "Odin is a> > false god and together with Thor and others they borrowed the name and> > divinity of Latin and Greek gods to trick Scandinavians into recognizing> > them as a gods," and his accounts are heavily romanticized such as Baldr> > (Balderus) and Hр╕гр╕Цр╕гр╕Рr (Hр╕гр╕Шtherus) were not brothers, but love rivals over Nanna> > (in this account is a princess of Norway).[38]> > > > [edit] Gesta Danorum> > > > In Saxo Grammaticus' s Gesta Danorum, Freyja is theorized as appearing under> > the name of Sр╕гр╕Ðr (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for marriage by a giant,> > and she travelled seeking for р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr (Otharus) who had slain the giant to save> > her.[16][21]> > > > [edit] Oral Traditions> > > > Rural Scandinavians remained dependent on the forces of nature, fertility> > gods remained important and in rural 19th century Sweden, Freyja retained> > elements of her role as a fertility goddess.[39] In the province of Smр╕гр╕Еland,> > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning in this> > respect:[39]> > > > Jag minns en sр╕гр╕Цndag pр╕гр╕Е 1880-talet, det var nр╕гр╕Еgra gubbar ute och gick bland> > р╕гр╕Еkrarna och tittade pр╕гр╕Е rр╕гр╕Еgen som snart var mogen. Dр╕гр╕Е sa Mр╕гр╕Еns i Karryd: "Nu р╕гр╕Д> > Frр╕гр╕Цa ute р╕гр╕Е sir р╕гр╕Дtter om rр╕гр╕Еjen р╕гр╕Дr mogen." [...] Nр╕гр╕Дr jag som liten pojke satt> > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dр╕гр╕Еtida barn mycket rр╕гр╕Дdd fр╕гр╕Цr> > р╕гр╕Еskan. Nр╕гр╕Дr kornblixtarna syntes om kvр╕гр╕Дllarna, sade Katrina: "Du sa inte va> > rр╕гр╕Дdd barn lella, dр╕гр╕Д р╕гр╕Д bara Frр╕гр╕Цa som р╕гр╕Д ute р╕гр╕Е slр╕гр╕Еr ell med stр╕гр╕Еl р╕гр╕Е flenta fр╕гр╕Цr р╕гр╕Е> > si etter om kornet р╕гр╕Д moet. Ho р╕гр╕Д snр╕гр╕Дll ve folk р╕гр╕Е gр╕гр╕Цr dр╕гр╕Д bare fр╕гр╕Цr р╕гр╕Е hjр╕гр╕Дlpa, ho> > gр╕гр╕Цr inte som Tor, han slр╕гр╕Еr ihjр╕гр╕Дl bр╕гр╕Еde folk р╕гр╕Е fр╕гр╕Д, nр╕гр╕Дr han lynna [...] Jag har> > sedan hр╕гр╕Цrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pр╕гр╕Е ungefр╕гр╕Дr samma sр╕гр╕Дtt.[40]I> > remember a Sunday in the 1880s, when some men were walking in the fields> > looking at the rye which was about to ripen. Then Mр╕гр╕Еns in Karryd said: "Now> > Freyja is out watching if the rye is ripe" [...] When as a boy I was> > visiting the old Proud-Katrina, I was afraid of lightning like all boys in> > those days. When the sheet lightning flared in the nights, Katrina said: > > Don't be afraid little child, it is only Freyja who is out making fire with> > steel and flintstone to see if the rye is ripe. She is kind to people and> > she is only doing it to be of service, she is not like Thor, he slays both> > people and livestock, when he is in the mood" [...] I later heard several> > old folks talk of the same thing in the same way.[41]> > > > > > > > In Vр╕гр╕Дrend, Freyja could also arrive at Christmas night and she used to shake> > the apple trees for the sake of a good harvest and consequently people left> > some apples in the trees for her sake.[39] Moreover, it was dangerous to> > leave the plough outdoors, because if Freyja sat on it, it would no longer> > be of any use.[39]> > > > [edit] Potential continental Germanic Sources> > > > Further information: Frр╕др╕Лge> > > > Recorded during the 9th or 10th century, though dating to an unknown earlier> > time, one of the two Merseburg Incantations, from Merseburg, Germany> > mentions a figure named Frр╕гр╕Оia or Frр╕гр╕Ыa (Frр╕гр╕"wa)[16], who places an enchantment> > on the wounded horse of Balder and Wodan (Odin). This figure has been> > theorized as Freyja[16][42] and as Frigg.[20]> > > > More to this confusion, the Origo Gentis Langobardorum (Origin of the> > Lombards, written in the 7th Century) mentions Frea, a goddess of love; and> > Historia Langobardorum (History of the Lombards, written in the 8th Century)> > also mentions the story of Frea (Freja)[43] and how she gave the Lombards> > their name. But this goddess is described as the wife of Godan (Odin), which> > in Norse accounts is Frigg. On the other hand, it is Freyja, not Frigg, who> > is the goddess of love in Norse accounts.[44]> > > > Tacitus in his work Germania (1st Century) briefly mentioned the worship of> > a mother goddess, a female Freyr, that is Freyja.[16] Tacitus also mentioned> > the goddess Nerthus, whom has been linked to Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr, Freyja,[17] and Freyr> > [16]> > > > [edit] Receiver of half the slain> > > > Freyja receives half of the spirits of warriors who had died bravely in> > battle. Snorri writes in Gylfaginning (24) that "wherever she rides to> > battle, she gets half the slain."[45]> > > > Further, from Grр╕гр╕Ðmnismр╕гр╕Бl:> > > > The ninth is Fр╕гр╕"lkvangr, where bright Freyja decrees > > > > where in the hall warriors shall sit: > > > > Some of the fallen belong to her, > > > > And some belong to Odin.> > > > Freyja is also called Eigandi valfalls (Possessor of the slain)[46] and> > Valfreyja,[47] Mistress of the slain and of the Valkyries in general.[16]> > > > In Egil's Saga, Thorgerda (р╕гÑâ”â•œorgerр╕гр╕Рr), threatens to commit suicide in the> > wake of her brother's death, saying: "I shall not eat until I sup with> > Freyja." This should be taken to mean that she expected to pass to Freyja's> > hall upon her death.> > > > Another point of view explains a difference between Odin's Einherjar and> > Freyja's; the oral tradition, or р╕г"р╕гр╕Рal property, explains that Odin's> > warriors are "the offensive," or those who dedicate their life to fighting.> > Freyjaр╣ВтВмÑâ”â•œs warriors are "the defensive", or those who only fight to protect> > their families, clans or goods. The historian Else Roesdahl noticed that a> > difference between the two cultures in regards to burials containing weapons> > In those in Norway the buried warriors had defensive shields, and in> > Denmark they had only offensive weapons.[48]> > > > [edit] Possessions> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja, depicted in a painting by J. Penrose.> > > > Surviving tales regarding Freyja often associate Freyja with numerous> > enchanted possessions.> > > > [edit] Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen> > > > Main article: Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen> > > > Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of gold and amber,> > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings, Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen is> > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (31), it is written that women often> > wore "stone-necklaces" as a part of a woman's apparels, to indicate their> > social status. That is the reason why woman is paraphrased with reference to> > jewels and agates.> > > > [edit] Falcon Cloak> > > > Freyja owns a cloak of falcon feathers, which can give her the ability to> > change into the guise of any birds, and to fly between worlds. It is called> > Valshamr, the "hawk's plumage" "falcon skin," or "falcon-feathered cloak" in> > different translations. The same magical cloak was also assigned to Frigg in> > some tales.> > > > [edit] Cat-drawn Chariot> > > > > > > > > > > > A depiction of Freyja riding a cat-driven chariot and flanked by Italian> > Renaissance- inspired putti by Swedish painter Nils Blommр╕гр╕Йr.> > > > Freyja often rides on a chariot drawn by a pair of large cats. She rode this> > chariot to Baldur's funeral. These cats are called Gib-cats in the Prose> > Edda. They are thought to be either Norwegian forest cats [49] or Lynx. Cats> > are sacred to Freyja, just as wolves are to Odin. "When a bride goes to the> > wedding in fine weather, they say 'she has fed the cat well,' not offended> > the favourite of the love-goddess. "[16]> > > > Freyja is considered a warrior goddess among her many roles. The chariot> > also is a warlike attribute and often given to exalted deities only.[16]> > This does not mean that every exalted Germanic deity must have a wagon, but> > most of them have special rides. Odin and Heimdallr have horses, Thor has a> > chariot drawn by goats, Freyr has a boar, but Freyja has both chariot and> > boar.> > > > [edit] Hildisvini> > > > Freyja also rides a golden-bristled boar called Hildisvini (Battle-Swine)> > which appeared only in the poem Hyndluljр╕гр╕"р╕гр╕Р. Later we are told that the boar> > is her protр╕гр╕Йgр╕гр╕Й, р╕г"ttar, but it seems that р╕г"ttar was temporarily disguised as> > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is р╕г"ttar. The boar has special associations> > within Norse Mythology, both relative to the notion of fertility and also as> > a protective talisman in war.> > > > In Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (14), Freyr is described as riding on another> > golden-bristled boar, Gullinbursti, which may be one and the same with> > Freyja's.> > > > The battle-bold Freyr rideth > > > > First on the golden-bristled > > > > Barrow-boar to the bale-fire > > > > Of Baldur, and leads the people.> > > > [edit] Other names> > > > [edit] Forms of "Freyja"> > > > Freyja > > > > Freyju > > > > Freja - common Danish and literary Swedish form.> > > > Freia > > > > Freya - common English form > > > > Frya - Frisian form > > > > Frea - History of the Langobards > > > > Freo > > > > Frowa > > > > Froya - Faroese form > > > > Frр╕гр╕Шya, Frр╕гр╕Цa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form. > > > > Frр╕гр╕Цe - a Danish form > > > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as the fair sun> > "den vр╕гр╕Дna solen" (Vana: from "Vanir", means beautiful[50] ) > > > > Friia, Frр╕др╕Лa - second Merseburg Charm > > > > Frija - variant of Friia > > > > Freija - Finnish form> > > > [edit] Other forms> > > > > > > > > > > > Hр╕гр╕Дrnevi which means "Hр╕гр╕Цrn's shrine" was once a sacred location dedicated to> > Freyja, in Uppland, Sweden.> > > > According to Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, Freyja also bore the following> > names:> > > > Vanadр╕гр╕Ðs, which means "Dр╕гр╕Ðs of the Vanir" or "fair goddess" (vр╕гр╕Дna means> > beautiful); > > > > Mardр╕гр╕Цll, which means "sea-bright" (mar: "sea", dр╕гр╕Цll: feminine of dallr > > bright light", cf. Heimdallr); > > > > Hр╕гр╕Цrn, which may be related to the word hр╕гр╕Цrr meaning "flax", "linen"; > > > > Gefn, which means "the giver", is a suitable name for a fertility goddess; > > > > Sр╕гр╕Ðr, whose translation is "sow", illustrates the association of the Vanir> > with pigs and fertility.> > > > In the famous Njal's Saga, another title of Freyja is mentioned: Valfreyja,> > which means "Mistress of the Chosen", "Mistress of the Slain" (cf. Valfaр╕гр╕Рir > > Father of the Slain" (Odin), Valkyrja "Chooser of the Slain").> > > > [edit] Kennings> > > > [show]Kennings> > > > Gold is called Tears of Freyja: > > > > Many a fearless swordsman > > > > Received the Tears of Freyja > > > > The more the morn when foemen > > > > We murdered; we were present> > > > Rр╕гр╕"di's Roof's great Ice-Lump > > > > For the Rain of Freyja's Eyelids > > > > Grows not less, my fair axe-head; > > > > His age my lord so useth.> > > > I received the Ice of Wed Rims, > > > > With Freyja's golden Eye-Thaw, > > > > From the upright prince high-hearted; > > > > We bear in hand the Helm's Hurt.> > > > Gold is called Tears of Mardр╕гр╕Цll:> > > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings, > > > > The Tear of Mardр╕гр╕Цll lieth, > > > > We bear the axe shield-splitting, > > > > Swollen with Serpent's lair-gold.> > > > ...> > > > The free-handed Lord gave, > > > > The heroes accepted, > > > > Sif's firm-grown tresses, > > > > Ice of the bow-force, > > > > Otter-gild unwilling, > > > > Weeping of Mardр╕гр╕Цll, > > > > Fire-flame of р╕г"run, > > > > Idi's fine Speeches.> > > > Gold is called Tears of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr's Bride:> > > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice, > > > > With tear-gold is unminished, > > > > The Eye-rain of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr's Bride: > > > > His age the King so useth.> > > > Jewel is called Child of Hр╕гр╕Цrn:> > > > Hр╕гр╕Цrn's Child, the glorious adornment, > > > > I own, gold-wound a jewel > > > > Most fair to the shield's rim > > > > Fast is the golden Sea-Flame:> > > > Gem is called Niece of Freyr, Gold is called Tears of Hnoss's Mother:> > > > On the gem, Freyr's Niece, the tear-drift > > > > Of the fore-head of her Mother > > > > She bears; the Raven-Feeder > > > > Gave me Frр╕гр╕"di's seed-gold's fostering.> > > > Gem is called Child of Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's Daughter:> > > > A defence of songs full goodly > > > > He freely gave me, neighbor > > > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly > > > > Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's Daughter's golden gem-child.> > > > Fair things are called Daughter of Freyja:> > > > The awesome Stately Urger > > > > Of Odin, he who raises > > > > The struggle stern, gave to me > > > > The courage-stalwart daughter > > > > Of the Vana-Bride, my fair axe; > > > > The valorous sword-mote's Ruler > > > > Led Gefn's girl to the Skald's bed, > > > > Set with the sea-flame's gold-work.> > > > > > > > "It is proper to join 'tears' with all the names of Freyja, and to call gold> > by such terms; and in divers ways these periphrases have been varied, so> > that gold is called Hail, or Rain, or Snow-Storm, or Drops, or Showers, or> > Water falls of Freyja's Eyes, or Cheeks, or Brows, or Eyelids." (The Prose> > Edda, The poesy of Skalds or Poetical Diction (37), Snorri's teachings of> > how Freyja and Hnoss's names can be used as kennings for fair things like> > gold, jewels, and gems).> > > > [edit] Eponyms> > > > [edit] People> > > > > > > > > > > > A painting named "Freja" (1901) by Swedish painter Anders Zorn.> > > > Freya (and its variant forms) is a common Scandinavian female name. In 2005,> > the name Freja was the 5th most popular given name for Danish girls born> > that year.[51] The following year, 2006, the name became even more popular> > in Denmark, having risen to the 3rd most popular given name for girls born> > in 2006;[51] but it dropped to 4th place in 2007.[51] The name Freya was the> > 23rd (in 2006) and 25th (in 2007) most common given name for baby girls in> > England and Wales.[52]> > > > [edit] Places> > > > Many farms in Norway have Frр╕гр╕Шy- as the first element in their names, and the> > most common are the name Frр╕гр╕Шyland (13 farms). But whether Frр╕гр╕Шy- in these> > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is questionable> > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frр╕гр╕Шyjuhof, in Udenes parish,> > are however most probably the genitive case of the name Freyja. (The last> > element is hof 'temple', and a church was built on the farm in the Middle> > Ages, which indicates the location was an old holy place.) The same name,> > Frр╕гр╕Шyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjр╕гр╕Шrdal. There are also two> > islands named Frр╕гр╕Шya in Norway.> > > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies the farm> > Ryland (Norse Rр╕гр╕Ðgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rр╕гр╕Ðgr > > lady' (identical with the meaning of the name Freyja, see above). Since the> > neighbouring farms have the names Hopland (Norse Hofland 'temple land') and> > Totland (Norse р╕гÑâ”╜р╕гр╕"rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible that rр╕гр╕Ðgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rр╕гр╕Ðgja) may occur in the name of the Norwegian> > municipality Rygge.> > > > There's Horn in Iceland and Hoorn in Holland, various places in the German> > lands are called Freiburg (burg meaning something like settlement).> > > > [edit] Plants> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja's hair - Polygala vulgaris - a species of the genus Polygala.> > > > Several plants were named after Freyja, such as Freyja's tears and Freyja's> > hair (Polygala vulgaris), but after the introduction of Christianity, they> > were renamed after the Virgin in order to more fully eradicate the> > native traditions.[ 53]> > > > [edit] Friday> > > > The name Friday comes from the Old English frigedр╕гр╕Жg, meaning the day of> > Frige the Anglo-Saxon form of Frigg, a West Germanic translation of Latin> > dies Veneris, "day (of the planet) Venus."> > > > However, in most Germanic languages the day is named after Freyjaр╣ВтВм"such as> > Frр╕др╕Лatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German, Freyjudagr in Old> > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danishр╣ВтВм"but Freyja> > and Frigg are frequently identified with each other. From these languages,> > the name has also been adopted by Estonian language as reede.> > > > [edit] Misc> > > > The chemical element Vanadium is named after Freyja via her alternative name> > Vanadр╕гр╕Ðs. The Orion constellation was called Frigg's distaff or Freyja's> > distaff (Frejerock). [53]> > > > [edit] Homologues> > > > It has been proposed that Freyja may be the most direct mythological> > descendant from Nerthus.[17] Nerthus, a goddess associated with a number of> > Germanic tribes as described by Tacitus in the 1 AD in his work Germania, is> > sometimes identified with Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr through etymological connections. The first> > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter. Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr married his> > sister; they have a son, Freyr, and a daughter, Freyja. This secondary pair> > of deities may be an "emanation" of the first.[54] Like Freyja's chariot,> > the early Germanic goddess Nerthus was also often described as riding a> > wagon.> > > > Britt-Mari Nр╕гр╕Дsstrр╕гр╕Цm posits in her "Freyja: the Great Goddess of the North"> > that there is a tenable connection from Freyja to other goddesses worshiped> > along the migration path of the Indo-Europeans who consistently appeared> > with either one or two cats/lions as companions, usually in the war goddess> > aspect but occasionally also as a love goddess. These would include: Durga,> > Ereshkegal, Sekhmet, Menhit, Bast, Anat, Asherah, Nana, Cybele, Rhea, and> > others.[55]> > > > [edit] Freyja in Modern Culture> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja and the apple tree at the end of the world as depicted in an> > illustration by Arthur Rackham.> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja taken away by the giants as depicted in an illustration by Arthur> > Rackham.> > > > Freyja, in her German variant name "Freia", appears in Wagner's> > massive opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen which includes Das Rheingold,> > Die Walkр╕гр╕Ьre, Siegfried, and Gр╕гр╕Цtterdр╕гр╕Дmmerung. This has led to many portrayals> > based on Wagner's interpretation, although some are closer to pre-Wagnerian> > models. Since Wagner's time, numerous depictions and references have entered> > popular culture to varying extents. In Wagner's depiction, Freyja is Frigg's> > sister. She is the goddess of beauty who guards the golden apples. When she> > was captured by two giants Fasolt and Fafnir, the gods quickly became old> > and ugly, and Odin had to pay the giants a hefty ransom including the> > Tarnhelm and the Ring of the Nibelung which he robbed from Alberich to get> > her back.> > > > > > > > > > > > Thor, Freyr, Frigg, Odin, and Loki became old due to the loss of Freyja and> > her apples as depicted in an illustration by Arthur Rackham.> > > > [edit] Potential connections> > > > [edit] Frigg> > > > Main article: Frigg#Connection_ between_Frigg_ and_Freyja> > > > Frigg is the highest goddess of the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir, while Freyja is the highest> > goddess of the Vanir. Many arguments have been made both for and against the> > idea that Frigg and Freyja are really the same goddess, avatars of one> > another.[56] [57][58][ 59] Some arguments are based on linguistic analysis,> > others on the fact that Freyja wasn't known in southern Germany, only in the> > north, and in some places the two goddesses were considered to be the same,> > while in others they were considered to be different.[60]> > > > [edit] Gefjun> > > > Main article: Gefjun#Possible_ connections_ with_Frigg_ and_Freyja> > > > Some modern scholars think that the minor goddess Gefjun is an avatar of> > Frigg or Freyja because of their many similarities. [61]> > > > [edit] Gullveig> > > > Main article: Gullveig#Theories> > > > Due to a number of similarities, a hypothesis supported by > > Turville-Petre[ 62] is that Gullveig, a seeress mentioned in Vр╕гр╕Цluspр╕гр╕Б, is> > another name for Freyja.> > > > [edit] See also> > > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja > > > > > > > > Blр╕гр╕"t > > > > Hр╕гр╕Цrgr > > > > List of women warriors in folklore, literature, and popular culture> > > > [edit] References> > > > ^ Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Norse Mythology" > > > > ^ , Gareth (2001) "We know almost nothing about pagan religious> > practices in the Viking Age... Occasional references to paganism in the> > Viking sagas were written down 200 years after the conversion to> > Christianity. "[1] "And it is not always clear where the compilers of the> > sagas used earlier material and where they simply made things up. There is a> > further problem that the sagas are primarily works of literature. Both> > events and particularly speech might well be rewritten to give a particular> > literary effect."[2] > > > > ^ W. A. Craigie, "Religion of Ancient Scandinavia" (1914), p.2: "These works> > were written in Iceland during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and> > most of them are separated by more than a century and a half from the period> > of time to which they relate. As the authors were in every case Christians,> > and many of them were ecclesiastics, it is obvious that the late evidence> > thus afforded us is not to be absolutely relied upon." > > > > ^ a b c d Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Freya" > > > > ^ Frithiof's Saga: > > > > A song of Valhal's brightness, > > > > And all its gods and goddesses, > > > > He'd think: "Yes!" yellow's Freyja's hair, > > > > A corn-land sea, breeze-waved so fair.> > > > ^ Frithiof's Saga: > > > > And blue are Freyja's eyes to see, > > > > Blue as heaven's cloudless canopy! > > > > But I know eyes to whose bright beams > > > > The light blue spring-day darksome seems.> > > > ^ a b c d e f Henry A. Bellows. (Trans.). (1936). The Poetic Edda. Princeton> > University Press 1936. (HTML version transcribed by Ari Odhinnsen available> > at Northvegr: Lore: Poetic Edda - Bellows Trans.) > > > > ^ Steinsland, G. & Meulengracht Sр╕гр╕Шrensen, P. (1998): Mр╕гр╕Дnniskor och makter i> > vikingarnas vр╕гр╕Дrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72 > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrр╕гр╕Ъnargrр╕гр╕Бtr. Undersр╕гр╕Цkningar i Germanisk Mythologi by> > Viktor Eydberg (1889) > > > > ^ Saga of Hр╕гр╕Еkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och> > tradition by Ebbe Schр╕гр╕Цn. > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda, Grр╕гр╕Ðmnismр╕гр╕Бl. > > > > ^ a b Heimskringla: history of the kings of Norway, Book I. Lee M. Hollander> > transl. University of Texas Press (1964). > > > > ^ The Religion of the Northmen by Rudolf Keyser. Barclay Pennock, transl.> > (1854) Chapter XXIV "Sorcery". > > > > ^ a b Keyser, Rudolph, History Professor of University of Norway, > > Nordmр╕гр╕Жndenes Religionsforfatning I hedendommen" (1854), Pennock, Barclay.> > Transl. > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897). Gylfaginning (35)> > Frigg is the foremost... the sixth is Freyja, who is ranked with Frigg > > > > ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Grimm, . Deutsche Mythologie (1835) S.> > Stallybras transl. (2004) "Teutonic Mythology", Dover Publications ISBN> > 0-486-43615- 2 > > > > ^ a b c Ellis son, H.R. Gods And Myths Of Northern Europe (1965) ISBN> > 0140136274 > > > > ^ It is written in the Septuagint that "All the Gods of the heathens are> > devils!", Sir Lancelot C. L. Brenton's translation. > > > > ^ a b c d Thorpe, . (Trans.). (1866). Edda Sр╕гр╕Жmundar Hinns Froр╕гр╕Рa: The> > Edda Of Sр╕гр╕Жmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trр╕гр╕Ьbner & Co. 1866. (HTML> > version transcribed by Ari Odhinnsen available at Northvegr: Lore: Poetic> > Edda - Thorpe Trans.) > > > > ^ a b c d e Lindow, . Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes,> > Rituals, and Beliefs (2001) Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN> > 0-19-515382- 0. > > > > ^ a b c d e f Rydberg, Viktor (1889). "Teutonic Mythology". Rasmus B.> > transl. London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co. (2001), Elibron Classics.> > ISBN 1-4021-9391- 2. "Fр╕гр╕Дdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers' Godsagas) (1887).> > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978- 4 > > > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vр╕гр╕Дrldens vackraste smycke.' in Jordens moder i Norden.> > Stockholm: Carlssons, 1994. p. 111-2. > > > > ^ The Thor song (Swedish) > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda (2nd edition), Lee M. Hollander, transl. University of> > Texas Press (1990). > > > > ^ a b The Prose Edda of Snorri Sturlson (Eysteinn Bjр╕гр╕Цrnsson's Edition) in> > original Old Norse text. Online version can be found here:[3] > > > > ^ a b c d e f g Brodeur, Arthur Gilchrist. (Trans.) The Prose Edda of Snorri> > Sturlson (1916) Transcribed by Alfta Lothursdottir and available online via> > the Northvegr Foundation here:[4] > > > > ^ The Ynglinga saga. Laing transl. London (1844). > > > > ^ Book V of Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri> > Sturlson, Laing transl. (1844). > > > > ^ Njр╕гр╕Бl's Saga or The Story of Burnt Njal, W. DaSent transl. (1861). > > > > ^ W. A. Craigie, "Religion of Ancient Scandinavia" (1914) > > > > ^ T. Kendrick, "History of the Vikings" (1930), p.349, 350. > > > > ^ The Greatest Saga of Olaf Tryggvason, Fornmanna sр╕гр╕Цgur > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,> > Foresman & Co. (1901). > > > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book. Norrр╕гр╕Жna> > Society, London (1908). > > > > ^ This short story is also known as "The Saga of Hр╕гр╕Цgni and Hedinn". English> > translation can be found at Northvegr: Three Northern Love Stories and Other> > Tales. > > > > ^ Old Saxon Baptismal vow in Vatican Codex pal. 577: "I renounce all the> > words and works of the devil, Thunear (Thor), Woden (Odin), and Seaxneat,> > and all those fiends that are their associates." (Thorpe, (1851). > > Northern mythology". ) > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, the poem Vр╕гр╕Цluspр╕гр╕Б. The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning (section> > 35) and Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (various kennings) > > > > ^ Saxo Grammaticus, "The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo> > Grammaticus" , Oliver Elton transl. Norroena Society, New York (1905). > > > > ^ a b c d Schр╕гр╕Цn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och> > tradition. Fр╕гр╕Дlt & Hр╕гр╕Дssler, Vр╕гр╕Дrnamo. p. 227-228. > > > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gр╕гр╕Цth, cited in Schр╕гр╕Цn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors> > hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och tradition. Fр╕гр╕Дlt & Hр╕гр╕Дssler, Vр╕гр╕Дrnamo. p.> > 227-228.) > > > > ^ Translation provided by Wikipedia editors. > > > > ^ Jeep, . 'Medieval Germany: An Encyclopedia' . (2001) Routledge. p.112.> > ISBN 0-8240-7644- 3 > > > > ^ us Diaconus, History of the Langobards, Book I, Chapter VIII. > > Foulke, transl. University of Pennsylvania (1907). > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (Section XX). > > > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London: Everyman> > ISBN 0-460-87616- 3. > > > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guр╕гр╕Рni Jр╕гр╕"nsson's Edition. > > > > ^ Njр╕гр╕Бl's Saga or The Story of Burnt Njal > > > > ^ Anne Nissen Jaubert. Vikings, investigation into the secrecies of the> > Masters of the sea. Science and life nр╕вр╕Р80 April 2004. National Institute of> > Preventive Archaeological Research. > > > > ^ Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Norwegian Forest Cats" > > > > ^ Snorri's Edda, I. A. Blackwell, transl. Foot notes. > > > > ^ a b c Statistics Denmark. For 2005, see: [5] > > > > ^ As per the Office for National Statistics' official website, viewable> > online here:[6] > > > > ^ a b Schр╕гр╕Цn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och> > tradition. Fр╕гр╕Дlt & Hр╕гр╕Дssler, Vр╕гр╕Дrnamo. p. 228. > > > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schр╕гр╕Ьtte. > > > > ^ Nр╕гр╕Дsstrр╕гр╕Цm, Britt-Mari. Freyja: the Great Goddess of the North. University> > of Lund, 1995. Harwich Port: Clock & Rose, 2003. ISBN 1-59386-019- 6. > > > > ^ son, Hilda Ellis. (1998). Roles of the Northern Goddess, page 10.> > London: Routlege. > > > > ^ Grundy, , Freyja and Frigg, pages 56-67. > > > > ^ Nasstrom, Nр╕гр╕Дsstrр╕гр╕Цm. Freyja, a goddess with many names, pages 68-77. > > > > ^ Billington, & Green, Miranda (Eds.) (1996). The Concept of the> > Goddess. London: Routlege. > > > > ^ Welsh, Lynda. (2001). Goddess of the North, page 75. York Beach: Weiser> > Books. > > > > ^ son, Hilda Ellis. Roles of the Northern Goddess (1998). > > > > ^ Turville, Petre. E.O.G. Myth and Religion of the North: The Religion of> > Ancient Scandinavia. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1964.> > > > [show] > > > > v р╣ВтВмр╕В d р╣ВтВмр╕В e> > > > Norse mythology and paganism> > > > > > > > Deities,> > > > heroes,> > > > and figuresр╕гÑâ”â•œsirBaldr р╕вр╕Ч Bragi р╕вр╕Ч Forseti р╕вр╕Ч Dellingr р╕вр╕Ч Freyr р╕вр╕Ч Heimdallr р╕вр╕Ч> > Hermр╕гр╕"р╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Hр╕гр╕Цр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Hр╕е"nir р╕вр╕Ч Loki р╕вр╕Ч Meili р╕вр╕Ч Lр╕гр╕"р╕гр╕Рurr р╕вр╕Ч Mр╕гр╕Ðmir р╕вр╕Ч Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч р╕г"р╕гр╕Рinn р╕вр╕Ч> > р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”╜р╕гр╕"rr р╕вр╕Ч Tр╕гр╕Ðr р╕вр╕Ч Ullr р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Бli р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Ðр╕гр╕Рarr р╕вр╕Ч Vili and Vр╕гр╕Й> > > > > > > > р╕гÑâ”â•œsynjurBil р╕вр╕Ч Eir р╕вр╕Ч Freyja р╕вр╕Ч Frigg р╕вр╕Ч Fulla р╕вр╕Ч Gerр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Gefjon р╕вр╕Ч Gnр╕гр╕Б р╕вр╕Ч Hlр╕гр╕Ðn р╕вр╕Ч> > Ilmr р╕вр╕Ч Iр╕гр╕Рunn р╕вр╕Ч Irpa р╕вр╕Ч Lofn р╕вр╕Ч Nanna р╕вр╕Ч Njр╕гр╕Цrun р╕вр╕Ч Rр╕гр╕Бn р╕вр╕Ч Rindr р╕вр╕Ч Sр╕гр╕Бga р╕вр╕Ч Sif р╕вр╕Ч> > Sigyn р╕вр╕Ч Sjр╕гр╕Цfn р╕вр╕Ч Skaр╕гр╕Рi р╕вр╕Ч Snotra р╕вр╕Ч Sр╕гр╕"l р╕вр╕Ч Syn р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”â•œorgerр╕гр╕Рr Hр╕гр╕Цlgabrр╕гр╕Ър╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”â•œrр╕гр╕Ър╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч> > Vр╕гр╕Бr р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цr> > > > > > > > OthersAsk and Embla р╕вр╕Ч Dр╕гр╕Ðs (Norns р╕вр╕Ч Valkyries) р╕вр╕Ч Dwarves р╕вр╕Ч Einherjar р╕вр╕Ч Elves> > (Light elves р╕вр╕Ч Dark elves) р╕вр╕Ч Fenrir р╕вр╕Ч Hel р╕вр╕Ч Jр╕гр╕Цrmungandr р╕вр╕Ч Giants р╕вр╕Ч Sigurd р╕вр╕Ч> > Trolls р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цlundr> > > > > > > > > > > > LocationsAsgard р╕вр╕Ч Bifrр╕гр╕Цst р╕вр╕Ч Fр╕гр╕"lkvangr р╕вр╕Ч Ginnungagap р╕вр╕Ч Hel р╕вр╕Ч Midgard р╕вр╕Ч> > Mр╕гр╕Ъspellsheimr р╕вр╕Ч Niflheim р╕вр╕Ч Valhalla р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Ðgrр╕гр╕Ðр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Wells (Mр╕гр╕Ðmisbrunnr р╕вр╕Ч> > Hvergelmir р╕вр╕Ч Urр╕гр╕Рarbrunnr) р╕вр╕Ч Yggdrasil> > > > > > > > Eventsр╕гÑâ”â•œsirр╣ВтВм"Vanir Warр╣ВтВмÑâ”â•œ р╕вр╕Ч Fimbulvetr р╕вр╕Ч Ragnarр╕гр╕Цk> > > > > > > > SourcesGesta Danorum р╕вр╕Ч Poetic Edda р╕вр╕Ч Prose Edda р╕вр╕Ч Runestones р╕вр╕Ч Sagas р╕вр╕Ч> > Tyrfing Cycle р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цlsung Cycle р╕вр╕Ч Old Norse language р╕вр╕Ч Orthography р╕вр╕Ч Later> > influence> > > > > > > > SocietyBlр╕гр╕"t р╕вр╕Ч Fр╕гр╕Йlag р╕вр╕Ч Germanic calendar р╕вр╕Ч Heiti р╕вр╕Ч Hр╕гр╕Цrgr р╕вр╕Ч Kenning р╕вр╕Ч Mead> > hall р╕вр╕Ч Nр╕др╕Лр╕гр╕Ю р╕вр╕Ч Norse pagan worship р╕вр╕Ч Numbers р╕вр╕Ч Runic calendar р╕вр╕Ч Seiр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Skald > > р╕вр╕Ч Viking Age р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цlva> > > > > > > > OriginsGermanic paganism р╕вр╕Ч Proto-Indo-European religion> > > > > > > > See alsoNorse gods р╕вр╕Ч Mythological Norse people, items and places р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”â•œsatrр╕гр╕Ъ> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Reb, this is just plain tragic. Keeping all in your familyin my thoughts and meditations and in my slightly enlargedheart (born that way), where there is always plenty of room!Love to you, Reb,nTo: MSersLife Sent: Thu, December 31, 2009 3:09:52 AMSubject: Re: Reb, and the lousy gift......More lousy gifts The cold is resolving itself, but my family had another lousy gift this year. The father of my older sister and older brother (not a step-dad to me, because he was before my time, more like an uncle or so to me, he always did stay in touch with the family), was going to have Christmas dinner with my brother's family, on Christmas Eve (in Sweden we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day), but he slipped on the ice on his way from the car to the house, and hit his head. He never woke up from the coma, and I just learned (from my older sister) that he died yesterday. Is that a lousy gift for his grandkids and kids or what! An accident on Christmas is not how grandpa's, or dads (or anyone) should go. Keep his wife, his son and daughter (my brother and sister), and their families in your thoughts, please. love/Reb "She has a great variety of names, for having gone over many> > countries in search of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr, each people gave her a different name".)[21] In> > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sр╕гр╕Ðr (Latinized as> > Syritha) seeking for р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr/р╕г"ttar (Latinized as Otharus).[16] [21]> > > > The owner of Svadilfari: This giant came to offer to build a citidel for the> > gods in three seasons. He demanded to marry fair Freyja, also the sun and> > the moon as his rewards. Following Loki's ill advice, the gods accepted the> > deal, but they later urged Loki to deceive the giant to protect Freyja. Loki> > turned into a mare and seduced Svadilfari, the huge steed of the giant.> > Without his horse, the giant could not complete his job, he was enraged,> > insulted the gods, and eventually got slain by Thor before the deal was> > completed. Loki's prank ultimately backfired on him, and he bore the son of> > the horse Svadilfari, Sleipnir. (Gylfaginning (42))> > > > The abduction of Iр╕гр╕Рunn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and forced him to> > lure Iр╕гр╕Рunn out to kidnap her along with the golden apples. Without the> > apples of youth, the gods grew old and they soon found out that Iр╕гр╕Рunn was> > missing. She was last seen going with Loki, so they cornered the giant and> > threathened to slay him. Loki had to borrow the hawk's plumage of Freyja to> > go and free Iр╕гр╕Рunn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form, but he was> > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaр╕гр╕Рi, who later became Freyr> > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaр╕гр╕Рi's march to Asgard for vengeance ended in a> > marriage with Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr. (Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (1))> > > > Thor's duel: After his race with Odin, which he lost, the champion of the> > giants, Hrungnir, came to Asgard. Thor is absent, so he boasted that he> > would destroy Valhalla, slay all the gods, and take Freyja and Sif home with> > him. Of all goddesses, Freyja alone was brave enough to stand and pour ale> > for the giant to waste time while Thor is summoned. The god of thunder, with> > the help of his clever servant р╕гÑâ”â•œjр╕гр╕Бlfi, later slew Hrungnir in a duel, but> > Thor himself was struck by the giant's horn and also wounded. This is one of> > the reasons why the Hill Giants are amongst the gods' enemies at the final> > battle. (Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (17))> > > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir, can not be harmed by> > anything. Loki turned himself into a woman to trick Frigg into revealing> > that Baldur can only be hurt by the mistletoes. Loki then tricked the blind> > god Hр╕гр╕Цdr to shoot his brother with a mistletoe twig, thus Baldur was> > murdered by the evil giant Loki's trickery. "People of many races visited> > this burning. First is to be told of Odin, how Frigg and the Valkyries went> > with him, and his ravens; but Freyr drove in his chariot with the boar> > called Gold-Mane, or Fearful-Tusk, and Heimdallr rode the horse called> > Gold-Top, and Freyja drove in her chariot drawn by cats..." (Gylfaginning> > (49))> > > > [edit] Sagas of Icelanders> > > > The various Sagas of Icelanders contain numerous mentions of Freyja.> > > > [edit] Heimskringla> > > > According to the Ynglinga saga:> > > > "Dр╕гр╕"ttir Njarр╕гр╕Рar var Freyja, hon var blр╕гр╕"tgyр╕гр╕Рja, ok hon kendi fyrst meр╕гр╕Рр╕гÑâ”â•œsum> > seiр╕гр╕Р, sem Vр╕гр╕Цnum var tр╕гр╕Ðtt. р╕гÑâ”╜р╕гр╕Б er Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr var meр╕гр╕РVр╕гр╕Цnum, р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б hafр╕гр╕Рi hann р╕гр╕Бtta> > systr sр╕гр╕Ðna р╕гр╕Юvр╕гр╕Рat р╕гр╕Юat vр╕гр╕Бru р╕гр╕Юar lр╕гр╕Цg; vр╕гр╕Бru р╕гр╕Юeirra bр╕гр╕Цrn Freyr ok Freyja. En р╕гр╕Юat> > var bannat meр╕гр╕Рр╕гÑâ”â•œsum at byggja svр╕гр╕Б nр╕гр╕Бit at frр╕гр╕Жndsemi.""Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's daughter> > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir the magic> > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr was with the> > Vanir he had taken his own sister in marriage, for that was allowed by their> > law; and their children were Freyr and Freyja. But among the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir it was> > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations."> > > > > > > > After the deaths of Odin, Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr, and Freyr:> > > > "Freyja hр╕гр╕Йlt р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б upp blр╕гр╕"tum, р╕гр╕Юvр╕гр╕Рat hon ein lifр╕гр╕Рi р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б eptir goр╕гр╕Рanna, ok varр╕гр╕Р> > hon р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Б hin frр╕гр╕Жgsta, svр╕гр╕Б at meр╕гр╕Рhennar nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,> > svр╕гр╕Б sem nр╕гр╕Ъ heita frр╕гр╕Ъvor. Svр╕гр╕Б heitir ok hver freyja yfir sinni eign, en sр╕гр╕Ъ> > hр╕гр╕Ъsfreyja, er bр╕гр╕Ъ р╕гр╕Б. Freyja var heldr marglynd; р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr hр╕гр╕Йt bр╕гр╕"ndi hennar, dр╕гр╕Жtr> > hennar hр╕гр╕Йtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Жr vр╕гр╕Бru fagrar mjр╕гр╕Цg: af р╕гр╕Юeirra nafni eru svр╕гр╕Б> > kallaр╕гр╕Рir hinir dр╕гр╕Ðrstu gripir.""Freyja alone remained of the gods, and she> > became on this account so celebrated that all women of distinction were> > called by her name, whence they now have the title Frр╕гр╕Ъ (Frau in German); so> > that every woman is called frр╕гр╕Ъ (frau in German), or mistress over her> > property, and the wife is called the house-Frр╕гр╕Ъ (Ehefrau in German). Freyja> > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her> > husband was called р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr, and her daughters Hnoss and Gersemi. They were so> > very beautiful, that afterwards the most precious jewels were called by> > their names."[27]> > > > > > > > In King Hр╕гр╕Еkon the Good's saga, Freyja is mentioned twice. First, regarding> > the sacrifices for the goddess (16):> > > > And first Odin's goblet was emptied for victory and power to his king.> > Thereafter, Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's and Freyja's goblets for peace and a good season> > > > Secondly, Freyja's golden tears for her husband are referenced:> > > > Although the king had gained of old > > > > Enough of Freyja's tears of gold, > > > > He spared himself no more than tho' > > > > He'd had no well-filled purse to show.[28]> > > > [edit] Other Sagas> > > > In Egils saga, when р╕гÑâ”â•œorgerр╕гр╕Рr threatened to commit suicide, she said: "No> > supper have I had, and none will I have till I sup with Freyja. I can do no> > better than does my father: I will not overlive my father and brother."> > > > In Hр╕гр╕Бlfs saga, Queen Signy, wife of King Alfrek, prayed for the help of> > Freyja in an ale-brewing contest. Her opponent, Geirhild, however, had the> > help of Odin, who gave her his drools as yeast. And so Signy lost.> > > > Frithiof's Saga mentions the tale of Freyja and р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr:> > > > Freyja one day > > > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away. > > > > Northward and southward she sought her > > > > Dearly-loved Oder.> > > > According to Njр╕гр╕Бls saga: "There had been a change of rulers in Norway, Earl> > Hacon was dead and gone, but in his stead was come Olaf Tryggvason. Along> > with that was heard that there had been a change of faith in Norway; they> > had cast off the old faith, but King Olaf had christened the western lands,> > Shetland, and the Orkneys, and the Faroe Isles. Then many men spoke so that> > Njal heard it, that it was a strange and wicked thing to throw off the old> > faith..." Then, Hjalti Skeggiason, an Icelander newly converted to> > Christianity, wished to express his contempt for the native gods, so he> > sang:> > > > "Ever will I Gods blaspheme > > > > Freyja methinks a dog does seem, > > > > Freyja a dog? Aye! Let them be > > > > Both dogs together Odin and she!"[29]> > > > Hjalti was found guilty of blasphemy for his infamous verse and he ran to> > Norway with his father-in-law, Gizur the White. Later, with Olaf Tryggvason> > s support, Gizur and Hjalti came back to Iceland to invite those assembled> > at the Althing to convert to Christianity. [30][31]> > > > The Saga of King Olaf Tryggvason, composed around 1300, describes that> > following King Olaf Tryggvason's orders, to prove their piety, people must> > insult and ridicule major heathen deities when they are newly converted into> > Christianity. Hallfreр╕гр╕Рr vandrр╕гр╕Жр╕гр╕Рaskр╕гр╕Бld, who was reluctantly converted from> > paganism to Christianity by Olaf, also had to make a poem to forsake pagan> > deities. Freyja is named among those major deities.[32]> > > > > > > > > > > > Historically, during the Christianization of Norway, King Olaf Tryggvason> > used elaborate ways to kill those who refused to Christianize.> > > > [edit] Flateyjarbр╕гр╕"k> > > > Sр╕гр╕Цrla р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Бttr is a short story in the later and extended version of the Saga> > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbр╕гр╕"k, which is> > written and compiled by two Christian priests, Jon Thordson and Magnus> > Thorhalson, in 14th-15th century.[34] The story borrows parts of> > Heimskringla (of how heathen deities are euhemerised) , parts of the poem> > Lokasenna (of Gefjun sleeping with a boy for a necklace), parts of the> > Hр╕гр╕Ъsdrр╕гр╕Бpa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen) , and the eternal battle> > Hjaр╕гр╕Рningavр╕гр╕Ðg. In the end of the story, the arrival of Christianity dissolves> > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarр╕гр╕Цk.> > > > "Freyja was a human in Asia and was the favorite concubine of Odin, King of> > Asialand. When this woman wanted to buy a golden necklace (no name given)> > forged by four dwarves (named Dvalinn, Alfrik, Berling, and Grer), she> > offered them gold and silver but they replied that they would only sell it> > to her if she would lie a night by each of them. She came home afterward> > with the necklace and kept silent as if nothing happened. But a man called> > Loki somehow knew it, and came to tell Odin. King Odin commanded Loki to> > steal the necklace, so Loki turned into a fly to sneak into Freyja's bower> > and stole it. When Freyja found her necklace missing, she came to ask king> > Odin. In exchange for it, Odin ordered her to make two kings, each served by> > twenty kings, fight forever unless some christened men so brave would dare> > to enter the battle and slay them. She said yes, and got that necklace back.> > Under the spell, king Hр╕гр╕Цgni and king Heр╕гр╕Рinn battled for one hundred and> > forty-three years, as soon as they fell down they had to stand up again and> > fight on. But in the end, the great Christian lord Olaf Tryggvason arrived> > with his brave christened men, and whoever slain by a Christian would stay> > dead. Thus the pagan curse was finally dissolved by the arrival of> > Christianity. After that, the noble man, king Olaf, went back to his realm.> > [35]> > > > This late work of Christian saga authors[21] is quite obviously a propaganda> > and does not represent an authentic pagan tradition (here Odin, the chief> > pagan god, somehow talked about Christianity, the religion that considers> > Odin and other pagan deities "devils"[36] ). The Christian priests Jon> > Thordson and Magnus Thorhalson, who respectively wrote and revised the Olaf> > sagas in the Flateyjarbр╕гр╕"k, put this line in their manuscript: "May God> > Almighty and the Virgin bless both the one that wrote and the one that> > dictated!"[34]> > > > The battle of Hр╕гр╕Цgni and Heр╕гр╕Рinn is recorded in the skaldic poem Ragnarsdrр╕гр╕Бpa> > and in Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (section 49): king Hр╕гр╕Цgni's daughter, Hildr, is> > kidnapped by king Heр╕гр╕Рinn. When Hр╕гр╕Цgni comes to fight Heр╕гр╕Рinn on an island,> > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of Heр╕гр╕Рinn for peace;> > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to make them> > fight until Ragnarр╕гр╕Цk.[26] Both these earlier sources never mention Odin or> > Freyja, much less king Olaf Tryggvason, the historical figure who> > Christianized Norway and Iceland in the 10th Century. The stealing of> > Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen is recorded in the skaldic poem Hр╕гр╕Ъsdrр╕гр╕Бpa and Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl of> > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen, Heimdall contends with Loki> > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen to Freyja. Here the> > story is borrowed and changed that Heimdall is removed.[26] In both the> > Elder Edda and the Younger Edda, as well as many old skadic poems preserved> > in Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl, Freyja is the wife of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr,[37] not a concubine of Odin.> > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist in any> > sources beside Sр╕гр╕Цrla р╕гр╕Юр╕гр╕Бttr, and curiously, in Lokasenna, when Loki accuses> > goddesses for various vices, he does not even mention that. On the other> > hand, Saxo Grammaticus in his Gesta Danorum wrote a somewhat similar story> > about Frigg sleeping with a servant to obtain a device to steal Odin's gold;> > in both stories, the chief pagan god Odin is depicted as a cuckold. But Saxo> > as a follower of Archbishop Absalon, repeatedly stated that "Odin is a> > false god and together with Thor and others they borrowed the name and> > divinity of Latin and Greek gods to trick Scandinavians into recognizing> > them as a gods," and his accounts are heavily romanticized such as Baldr> > (Balderus) and Hр╕гр╕Цр╕гр╕Рr (Hр╕гр╕Шtherus) were not brothers, but love rivals over Nanna> > (in this account is a princess of Norway).[38]> > > > [edit] Gesta Danorum> > > > In Saxo Grammaticus' s Gesta Danorum, Freyja is theorized as appearing under> > the name of Sр╕гр╕Ðr (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for marriage by a giant,> > and she travelled seeking for р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr (Otharus) who had slain the giant to save> > her.[16][21]> > > > [edit] Oral Traditions> > > > Rural Scandinavians remained dependent on the forces of nature, fertility> > gods remained important and in rural 19th century Sweden, Freyja retained> > elements of her role as a fertility goddess.[39] In the province of Smр╕гр╕Еland,> > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning in this> > respect:[39]> > > > Jag minns en sр╕гр╕Цndag pр╕гр╕Е 1880-talet, det var nр╕гр╕Еgra gubbar ute och gick bland> > р╕гр╕Еkrarna och tittade pр╕гр╕Е rр╕гр╕Еgen som snart var mogen. Dр╕гр╕Е sa Mр╕гр╕Еns i Karryd: "Nu р╕гр╕Д> > Frр╕гр╕Цa ute р╕гр╕Е sir р╕гр╕Дtter om rр╕гр╕Еjen р╕гр╕Дr mogen." [...] Nр╕гр╕Дr jag som liten pojke satt> > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dр╕гр╕Еtida barn mycket rр╕гр╕Дdd fр╕гр╕Цr> > р╕гр╕Еskan. Nр╕гр╕Дr kornblixtarna syntes om kvр╕гр╕Дllarna, sade Katrina: "Du sa inte va> > rр╕гр╕Дdd barn lella, dр╕гр╕Д р╕гр╕Д bara Frр╕гр╕Цa som р╕гр╕Д ute р╕гр╕Е slр╕гр╕Еr ell med stр╕гр╕Еl р╕гр╕Е flenta fр╕гр╕Цr р╕гр╕Е> > si etter om kornet р╕гр╕Д moet. Ho р╕гр╕Д snр╕гр╕Дll ve folk р╕гр╕Е gр╕гр╕Цr dр╕гр╕Д bare fр╕гр╕Цr р╕гр╕Е hjр╕гр╕Дlpa, ho> > gр╕гр╕Цr inte som Tor, han slр╕гр╕Еr ihjр╕гр╕Дl bр╕гр╕Еde folk р╕гр╕Е fр╕гр╕Д, nр╕гр╕Дr han lynna [...] Jag har> > sedan hр╕гр╕Цrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pр╕гр╕Е ungefр╕гр╕Дr samma sр╕гр╕Дtt.[40]I> > remember a Sunday in the 1880s, when some men were walking in the fields> > looking at the rye which was about to ripen. Then Mр╕гр╕Еns in Karryd said: "Now> > Freyja is out watching if the rye is ripe" [...] When as a boy I was> > visiting the old Proud-Katrina, I was afraid of lightning like all boys in> > those days. When the sheet lightning flared in the nights, Katrina said: > > Don't be afraid little child, it is only Freyja who is out making fire with> > steel and flintstone to see if the rye is ripe. She is kind to people and> > she is only doing it to be of service, she is not like Thor, he slays both> > people and livestock, when he is in the mood" [...] I later heard several> > old folks talk of the same thing in the same way.[41]> > > > > > > > In Vр╕гр╕Дrend, Freyja could also arrive at Christmas night and she used to shake> > the apple trees for the sake of a good harvest and consequently people left> > some apples in the trees for her sake.[39] Moreover, it was dangerous to> > leave the plough outdoors, because if Freyja sat on it, it would no longer> > be of any use.[39]> > > > [edit] Potential continental Germanic Sources> > > > Further information: Frр╕др╕Лge> > > > Recorded during the 9th or 10th century, though dating to an unknown earlier> > time, one of the two Merseburg Incantations, from Merseburg, Germany> > mentions a figure named Frр╕гр╕Оia or Frр╕гр╕Ыa (Frр╕гр╕"wa)[16], who places an enchantment> > on the wounded horse of Balder and Wodan (Odin). This figure has been> > theorized as Freyja[16][42] and as Frigg.[20]> > > > More to this confusion, the Origo Gentis Langobardorum (Origin of the> > Lombards, written in the 7th Century) mentions Frea, a goddess of love; and> > Historia Langobardorum (History of the Lombards, written in the 8th Century)> > also mentions the story of Frea (Freja)[43] and how she gave the Lombards> > their name. But this goddess is described as the wife of Godan (Odin), which> > in Norse accounts is Frigg. On the other hand, it is Freyja, not Frigg, who> > is the goddess of love in Norse accounts.[44]> > > > Tacitus in his work Germania (1st Century) briefly mentioned the worship of> > a mother goddess, a female Freyr, that is Freyja.[16] Tacitus also mentioned> > the goddess Nerthus, whom has been linked to Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr, Freyja,[17] and Freyr> > [16]> > > > [edit] Receiver of half the slain> > > > Freyja receives half of the spirits of warriors who had died bravely in> > battle. Snorri writes in Gylfaginning (24) that "wherever she rides to> > battle, she gets half the slain."[45]> > > > Further, from Grр╕гр╕Ðmnismр╕гр╕Бl:> > > > The ninth is Fр╕гр╕"lkvangr, where bright Freyja decrees > > > > where in the hall warriors shall sit: > > > > Some of the fallen belong to her, > > > > And some belong to Odin.> > > > Freyja is also called Eigandi valfalls (Possessor of the slain)[46] and> > Valfreyja,[47] Mistress of the slain and of the Valkyries in general.[16]> > > > In Egil's Saga, Thorgerda (р╕гÑâ”â•œorgerр╕гр╕Рr), threatens to commit suicide in the> > wake of her brother's death, saying: "I shall not eat until I sup with> > Freyja." This should be taken to mean that she expected to pass to Freyja's> > hall upon her death.> > > > Another point of view explains a difference between Odin's Einherjar and> > Freyja's; the oral tradition, or р╕г"р╕гр╕Рal property, explains that Odin's> > warriors are "the offensive," or those who dedicate their life to fighting.> > Freyjaр╣ВтВмÑâ”â•œs warriors are "the defensive", or those who only fight to protect> > their families, clans or goods. The historian Else Roesdahl noticed that a> > difference between the two cultures in regards to burials containing weapons> > In those in Norway the buried warriors had defensive shields, and in> > Denmark they had only offensive weapons.[48]> > > > [edit] Possessions> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja, depicted in a painting by J. Penrose.> > > > Surviving tales regarding Freyja often associate Freyja with numerous> > enchanted possessions.> > > > [edit] Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen> > > > Main article: Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen> > > > Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of gold and amber,> > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings, Brр╕гр╕Ðsingamen is> > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (31), it is written that women often> > wore "stone-necklaces" as a part of a woman's apparels, to indicate their> > social status. That is the reason why woman is paraphrased with reference to> > jewels and agates.> > > > [edit] Falcon Cloak> > > > Freyja owns a cloak of falcon feathers, which can give her the ability to> > change into the guise of any birds, and to fly between worlds. It is called> > Valshamr, the "hawk's plumage" "falcon skin," or "falcon-feathered cloak" in> > different translations. The same magical cloak was also assigned to Frigg in> > some tales.> > > > [edit] Cat-drawn Chariot> > > > > > > > > > > > A depiction of Freyja riding a cat-driven chariot and flanked by Italian> > Renaissance- inspired putti by Swedish painter Nils Blommр╕гр╕Йr.> > > > Freyja often rides on a chariot drawn by a pair of large cats. She rode this> > chariot to Baldur's funeral. These cats are called Gib-cats in the Prose> > Edda. They are thought to be either Norwegian forest cats [49] or Lynx. Cats> > are sacred to Freyja, just as wolves are to Odin. "When a bride goes to the> > wedding in fine weather, they say 'she has fed the cat well,' not offended> > the favourite of the love-goddess. "[16]> > > > Freyja is considered a warrior goddess among her many roles. The chariot> > also is a warlike attribute and often given to exalted deities only.[16]> > This does not mean that every exalted Germanic deity must have a wagon, but> > most of them have special rides. Odin and Heimdallr have horses, Thor has a> > chariot drawn by goats, Freyr has a boar, but Freyja has both chariot and> > boar.> > > > [edit] Hildisvini> > > > Freyja also rides a golden-bristled boar called Hildisvini (Battle-Swine)> > which appeared only in the poem Hyndluljр╕гр╕"р╕гр╕Р. Later we are told that the boar> > is her protр╕гр╕Йgр╕гр╕Й, р╕г"ttar, but it seems that р╕г"ttar was temporarily disguised as> > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is р╕г"ttar. The boar has special associations> > within Norse Mythology, both relative to the notion of fertility and also as> > a protective talisman in war.> > > > In Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (14), Freyr is described as riding on another> > golden-bristled boar, Gullinbursti, which may be one and the same with> > Freyja's.> > > > The battle-bold Freyr rideth > > > > First on the golden-bristled > > > > Barrow-boar to the bale-fire > > > > Of Baldur, and leads the people.> > > > [edit] Other names> > > > [edit] Forms of "Freyja"> > > > Freyja > > > > Freyju > > > > Freja - common Danish and literary Swedish form.> > > > Freia > > > > Freya - common English form > > > > Frya - Frisian form > > > > Frea - History of the Langobards > > > > Freo > > > > Frowa > > > > Froya - Faroese form > > > > Frр╕гр╕Шya, Frр╕гр╕Цa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form. > > > > Frр╕гр╕Цe - a Danish form > > > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as the fair sun> > "den vр╕гр╕Дna solen" (Vana: from "Vanir", means beautiful[50] ) > > > > Friia, Frр╕др╕Лa - second Merseburg Charm > > > > Frija - variant of Friia > > > > Freija - Finnish form> > > > [edit] Other forms> > > > > > > > > > > > Hр╕гр╕Дrnevi which means "Hр╕гр╕Цrn's shrine" was once a sacred location dedicated to> > Freyja, in Uppland, Sweden.> > > > According to Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, Freyja also bore the following> > names:> > > > Vanadр╕гр╕Ðs, which means "Dр╕гр╕Ðs of the Vanir" or "fair goddess" (vр╕гр╕Дna means> > beautiful); > > > > Mardр╕гр╕Цll, which means "sea-bright" (mar: "sea", dр╕гр╕Цll: feminine of dallr > > bright light", cf. Heimdallr); > > > > Hр╕гр╕Цrn, which may be related to the word hр╕гр╕Цrr meaning "flax", "linen"; > > > > Gefn, which means "the giver", is a suitable name for a fertility goddess; > > > > Sр╕гр╕Ðr, whose translation is "sow", illustrates the association of the Vanir> > with pigs and fertility.> > > > In the famous Njal's Saga, another title of Freyja is mentioned: Valfreyja,> > which means "Mistress of the Chosen", "Mistress of the Slain" (cf. Valfaр╕гр╕Рir > > Father of the Slain" (Odin), Valkyrja "Chooser of the Slain").> > > > [edit] Kennings> > > > [show]Kennings> > > > Gold is called Tears of Freyja: > > > > Many a fearless swordsman > > > > Received the Tears of Freyja > > > > The more the morn when foemen > > > > We murdered; we were present> > > > Rр╕гр╕"di's Roof's great Ice-Lump > > > > For the Rain of Freyja's Eyelids > > > > Grows not less, my fair axe-head; > > > > His age my lord so useth.> > > > I received the Ice of Wed Rims, > > > > With Freyja's golden Eye-Thaw, > > > > From the upright prince high-hearted; > > > > We bear in hand the Helm's Hurt.> > > > Gold is called Tears of Mardр╕гр╕Цll:> > > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings, > > > > The Tear of Mardр╕гр╕Цll lieth, > > > > We bear the axe shield-splitting, > > > > Swollen with Serpent's lair-gold.> > > > ...> > > > The free-handed Lord gave, > > > > The heroes accepted, > > > > Sif's firm-grown tresses, > > > > Ice of the bow-force, > > > > Otter-gild unwilling, > > > > Weeping of Mardр╕гр╕Цll, > > > > Fire-flame of р╕г"run, > > > > Idi's fine Speeches.> > > > Gold is called Tears of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr's Bride:> > > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice, > > > > With tear-gold is unminished, > > > > The Eye-rain of р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr's Bride: > > > > His age the King so useth.> > > > Jewel is called Child of Hр╕гр╕Цrn:> > > > Hр╕гр╕Цrn's Child, the glorious adornment, > > > > I own, gold-wound a jewel > > > > Most fair to the shield's rim > > > > Fast is the golden Sea-Flame:> > > > Gem is called Niece of Freyr, Gold is called Tears of Hnoss's Mother:> > > > On the gem, Freyr's Niece, the tear-drift > > > > Of the fore-head of her Mother > > > > She bears; the Raven-Feeder > > > > Gave me Frр╕гр╕"di's seed-gold's fostering.> > > > Gem is called Child of Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's Daughter:> > > > A defence of songs full goodly > > > > He freely gave me, neighbor > > > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly > > > > Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr's Daughter's golden gem-child.> > > > Fair things are called Daughter of Freyja:> > > > The awesome Stately Urger > > > > Of Odin, he who raises > > > > The struggle stern, gave to me > > > > The courage-stalwart daughter > > > > Of the Vana-Bride, my fair axe; > > > > The valorous sword-mote's Ruler > > > > Led Gefn's girl to the Skald's bed, > > > > Set with the sea-flame's gold-work.> > > > > > > > "It is proper to join 'tears' with all the names of Freyja, and to call gold> > by such terms; and in divers ways these periphrases have been varied, so> > that gold is called Hail, or Rain, or Snow-Storm, or Drops, or Showers, or> > Water falls of Freyja's Eyes, or Cheeks, or Brows, or Eyelids." (The Prose> > Edda, The poesy of Skalds or Poetical Diction (37), Snorri's teachings of> > how Freyja and Hnoss's names can be used as kennings for fair things like> > gold, jewels, and gems).> > > > [edit] Eponyms> > > > [edit] People> > > > > > > > > > > > A painting named "Freja" (1901) by Swedish painter Anders Zorn.> > > > Freya (and its variant forms) is a common Scandinavian female name. In 2005,> > the name Freja was the 5th most popular given name for Danish girls born> > that year.[51] The following year, 2006, the name became even more popular> > in Denmark, having risen to the 3rd most popular given name for girls born> > in 2006;[51] but it dropped to 4th place in 2007.[51] The name Freya was the> > 23rd (in 2006) and 25th (in 2007) most common given name for baby girls in> > England and Wales.[52]> > > > [edit] Places> > > > Many farms in Norway have Frр╕гр╕Шy- as the first element in their names, and the> > most common are the name Frр╕гр╕Шyland (13 farms). But whether Frр╕гр╕Шy- in these> > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is questionable> > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frр╕гр╕Шyjuhof, in Udenes parish,> > are however most probably the genitive case of the name Freyja. (The last> > element is hof 'temple', and a church was built on the farm in the Middle> > Ages, which indicates the location was an old holy place.) The same name,> > Frр╕гр╕Шyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjр╕гр╕Шrdal. There are also two> > islands named Frр╕гр╕Шya in Norway.> > > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies the farm> > Ryland (Norse Rр╕гр╕Ðgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rр╕гр╕Ðgr > > lady' (identical with the meaning of the name Freyja, see above). Since the> > neighbouring farms have the names Hopland (Norse Hofland 'temple land') and> > Totland (Norse р╕гÑâ”╜р╕гр╕"rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible that rр╕гр╕Ðgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rр╕гр╕Ðgja) may occur in the name of the Norwegian> > municipality Rygge.> > > > There's Horn in Iceland and Hoorn in Holland, various places in the German> > lands are called Freiburg (burg meaning something like settlement).> > > > [edit] Plants> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja's hair - Polygala vulgaris - a species of the genus Polygala.> > > > Several plants were named after Freyja, such as Freyja's tears and Freyja's> > hair (Polygala vulgaris), but after the introduction of Christianity, they> > were renamed after the Virgin in order to more fully eradicate the> > native traditions.[ 53]> > > > [edit] Friday> > > > The name Friday comes from the Old English frigedр╕гр╕Жg, meaning the day of> > Frige the Anglo-Saxon form of Frigg, a West Germanic translation of Latin> > dies Veneris, "day (of the planet) Venus."> > > > However, in most Germanic languages the day is named after Freyjaр╣ВтВм"such as> > Frр╕др╕Лatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German, Freyjudagr in Old> > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danishр╣ВтВм"but Freyja> > and Frigg are frequently identified with each other. From these languages,> > the name has also been adopted by Estonian language as reede.> > > > [edit] Misc> > > > The chemical element Vanadium is named after Freyja via her alternative name> > Vanadр╕гр╕Ðs. The Orion constellation was called Frigg's distaff or Freyja's> > distaff (Frejerock). [53]> > > > [edit] Homologues> > > > It has been proposed that Freyja may be the most direct mythological> > descendant from Nerthus.[17] Nerthus, a goddess associated with a number of> > Germanic tribes as described by Tacitus in the 1 AD in his work Germania, is> > sometimes identified with Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr through etymological connections. The first> > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter. Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr married his> > sister; they have a son, Freyr, and a daughter, Freyja. This secondary pair> > of deities may be an "emanation" of the first.[54] Like Freyja's chariot,> > the early Germanic goddess Nerthus was also often described as riding a> > wagon.> > > > Britt-Mari Nр╕гр╕Дsstrр╕гр╕Цm posits in her "Freyja: the Great Goddess of the North"> > that there is a tenable connection from Freyja to other goddesses worshiped> > along the migration path of the Indo-Europeans who consistently appeared> > with either one or two cats/lions as companions, usually in the war goddess> > aspect but occasionally also as a love goddess. These would include: Durga,> > Ereshkegal, Sekhmet, Menhit, Bast, Anat, Asherah, Nana, Cybele, Rhea, and> > others.[55]> > > > [edit] Freyja in Modern Culture> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja and the apple tree at the end of the world as depicted in an> > illustration by Arthur Rackham.> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja taken away by the giants as depicted in an illustration by Arthur> > Rackham.> > > > Freyja, in her German variant name "Freia", appears in Wagner's> > massive opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen which includes Das Rheingold,> > Die Walkр╕гр╕Ьre, Siegfried, and Gр╕гр╕Цtterdр╕гр╕Дmmerung. This has led to many portrayals> > based on Wagner's interpretation, although some are closer to pre-Wagnerian> > models. Since Wagner's time, numerous depictions and references have entered> > popular culture to varying extents. In Wagner's depiction, Freyja is Frigg's> > sister. She is the goddess of beauty who guards the golden apples. When she> > was captured by two giants Fasolt and Fafnir, the gods quickly became old> > and ugly, and Odin had to pay the giants a hefty ransom including the> > Tarnhelm and the Ring of the Nibelung which he robbed from Alberich to get> > her back.> > > > > > > > > > > > Thor, Freyr, Frigg, Odin, and Loki became old due to the loss of Freyja and> > her apples as depicted in an illustration by Arthur Rackham.> > > > [edit] Potential connections> > > > [edit] Frigg> > > > Main article: Frigg#Connection_ between_Frigg_ and_Freyja> > > > Frigg is the highest goddess of the р╕гÑâ”â•œsir, while Freyja is the highest> > goddess of the Vanir. Many arguments have been made both for and against the> > idea that Frigg and Freyja are really the same goddess, avatars of one> > another.[56] [57][58][ 59] Some arguments are based on linguistic analysis,> > others on the fact that Freyja wasn't known in southern Germany, only in the> > north, and in some places the two goddesses were considered to be the same,> > while in others they were considered to be different.[60]> > > > [edit] Gefjun> > > > Main article: Gefjun#Possible_ connections_ with_Frigg_ and_Freyja> > > > Some modern scholars think that the minor goddess Gefjun is an avatar of> > Frigg or Freyja because of their many similarities. [61]> > > > [edit] Gullveig> > > > Main article: Gullveig#Theories> > > > Due to a number of similarities, a hypothesis supported by > > Turville-Petre[ 62] is that Gullveig, a seeress mentioned in Vр╕гр╕Цluspр╕гр╕Б, is> > another name for Freyja.> > > > [edit] See also> > > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja > > > > > > > > Blр╕гр╕"t > > > > Hр╕гр╕Цrgr > > > > List of women warriors in folklore, literature, and popular culture> > > > [edit] References> > > > ^ Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Norse Mythology" > > > > ^ , Gareth (2001) "We know almost nothing about pagan religious> > practices in the Viking Age... Occasional references to paganism in the> > Viking sagas were written down 200 years after the conversion to> > Christianity. "[1] "And it is not always clear where the compilers of the> > sagas used earlier material and where they simply made things up. There is a> > further problem that the sagas are primarily works of literature. Both> > events and particularly speech might well be rewritten to give a particular> > literary effect."[2] > > > > ^ W. A. Craigie, "Religion of Ancient Scandinavia" (1914), p.2: "These works> > were written in Iceland during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and> > most of them are separated by more than a century and a half from the period> > of time to which they relate. As the authors were in every case Christians,> > and many of them were ecclesiastics, it is obvious that the late evidence> > thus afforded us is not to be absolutely relied upon." > > > > ^ a b c d Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Freya" > > > > ^ Frithiof's Saga: > > > > A song of Valhal's brightness, > > > > And all its gods and goddesses, > > > > He'd think: "Yes!" yellow's Freyja's hair, > > > > A corn-land sea, breeze-waved so fair.> > > > ^ Frithiof's Saga: > > > > And blue are Freyja's eyes to see, > > > > Blue as heaven's cloudless canopy! > > > > But I know eyes to whose bright beams > > > > The light blue spring-day darksome seems.> > > > ^ a b c d e f Henry A. Bellows. (Trans.). (1936). The Poetic Edda. Princeton> > University Press 1936. (HTML version transcribed by Ari Odhinnsen available> > at Northvegr: Lore: Poetic Edda - Bellows Trans.) > > > > ^ Steinsland, G. & Meulengracht Sр╕гр╕Шrensen, P. (1998): Mр╕гр╕Дnniskor och makter i> > vikingarnas vр╕гр╕Дrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72 > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrр╕гр╕Ъnargrр╕гр╕Бtr. Undersр╕гр╕Цkningar i Germanisk Mythologi by> > Viktor Eydberg (1889) > > > > ^ Saga of Hр╕гр╕Еkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och> > tradition by Ebbe Schр╕гр╕Цn. > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda, Grр╕гр╕Ðmnismр╕гр╕Бl. > > > > ^ a b Heimskringla: history of the kings of Norway, Book I. Lee M. Hollander> > transl. University of Texas Press (1964). > > > > ^ The Religion of the Northmen by Rudolf Keyser. Barclay Pennock, transl.> > (1854) Chapter XXIV "Sorcery". > > > > ^ a b Keyser, Rudolph, History Professor of University of Norway, > > Nordmр╕гр╕Жndenes Religionsforfatning I hedendommen" (1854), Pennock, Barclay.> > Transl. > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897). Gylfaginning (35)> > Frigg is the foremost... the sixth is Freyja, who is ranked with Frigg > > > > ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Grimm, . Deutsche Mythologie (1835) S.> > Stallybras transl. (2004) "Teutonic Mythology", Dover Publications ISBN> > 0-486-43615- 2 > > > > ^ a b c Ellis son, H.R. Gods And Myths Of Northern Europe (1965) ISBN> > 0140136274 > > > > ^ It is written in the Septuagint that "All the Gods of the heathens are> > devils!", Sir Lancelot C. L. Brenton's translation. > > > > ^ a b c d Thorpe, . (Trans.). (1866). Edda Sр╕гр╕Жmundar Hinns Froр╕гр╕Рa: The> > Edda Of Sр╕гр╕Жmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trр╕гр╕Ьbner & Co. 1866. (HTML> > version transcribed by Ari Odhinnsen available at Northvegr: Lore: Poetic> > Edda - Thorpe Trans.) > > > > ^ a b c d e Lindow, . Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes,> > Rituals, and Beliefs (2001) Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN> > 0-19-515382- 0. > > > > ^ a b c d e f Rydberg, Viktor (1889). "Teutonic Mythology". Rasmus B.> > transl. London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co. (2001), Elibron Classics.> > ISBN 1-4021-9391- 2. "Fр╕гр╕Дdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers' Godsagas) (1887).> > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978- 4 > > > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vр╕гр╕Дrldens vackraste smycke.' in Jordens moder i Norden.> > Stockholm: Carlssons, 1994. p. 111-2. > > > > ^ The Thor song (Swedish) > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda (2nd edition), Lee M. Hollander, transl. University of> > Texas Press (1990). > > > > ^ a b The Prose Edda of Snorri Sturlson (Eysteinn Bjр╕гр╕Цrnsson's Edition) in> > original Old Norse text. Online version can be found here:[3] > > > > ^ a b c d e f g Brodeur, Arthur Gilchrist. (Trans.) The Prose Edda of Snorri> > Sturlson (1916) Transcribed by Alfta Lothursdottir and available online via> > the Northvegr Foundation here:[4] > > > > ^ The Ynglinga saga. Laing transl. London (1844). > > > > ^ Book V of Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri> > Sturlson, Laing transl. (1844). > > > > ^ Njр╕гр╕Бl's Saga or The Story of Burnt Njal, W. DaSent transl. (1861). > > > > ^ W. A. Craigie, "Religion of Ancient Scandinavia" (1914) > > > > ^ T. Kendrick, "History of the Vikings" (1930), p.349, 350. > > > > ^ The Greatest Saga of Olaf Tryggvason, Fornmanna sр╕гр╕Цgur > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,> > Foresman & Co. (1901). > > > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book. Norrр╕гр╕Жna> > Society, London (1908). > > > > ^ This short story is also known as "The Saga of Hр╕гр╕Цgni and Hedinn". English> > translation can be found at Northvegr: Three Northern Love Stories and Other> > Tales. > > > > ^ Old Saxon Baptismal vow in Vatican Codex pal. 577: "I renounce all the> > words and works of the devil, Thunear (Thor), Woden (Odin), and Seaxneat,> > and all those fiends that are their associates." (Thorpe, (1851). > > Northern mythology". ) > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, the poem Vр╕гр╕Цluspр╕гр╕Б. The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning (section> > 35) and Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (various kennings) > > > > ^ Saxo Grammaticus, "The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo> > Grammaticus" , Oliver Elton transl. Norroena Society, New York (1905). > > > > ^ a b c d Schр╕гр╕Цn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och> > tradition. Fр╕гр╕Дlt & Hр╕гр╕Дssler, Vр╕гр╕Дrnamo. p. 227-228. > > > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gр╕гр╕Цth, cited in Schр╕гр╕Цn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors> > hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och tradition. Fр╕гр╕Дlt & Hр╕гр╕Дssler, Vр╕гр╕Дrnamo. p.> > 227-228.) > > > > ^ Translation provided by Wikipedia editors. > > > > ^ Jeep, . 'Medieval Germany: An Encyclopedia' . (2001) Routledge. p.112.> > ISBN 0-8240-7644- 3 > > > > ^ us Diaconus, History of the Langobards, Book I, Chapter VIII. > > Foulke, transl. University of Pennsylvania (1907). > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Skр╕гр╕Бldskaparmр╕гр╕Бl (Section XX). > > > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London: Everyman> > ISBN 0-460-87616- 3. > > > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guр╕гр╕Рni Jр╕гр╕"nsson's Edition. > > > > ^ Njр╕гр╕Бl's Saga or The Story of Burnt Njal > > > > ^ Anne Nissen Jaubert. Vikings, investigation into the secrecies of the> > Masters of the sea. Science and life nр╕вр╕Р80 April 2004. National Institute of> > Preventive Archaeological Research. > > > > ^ Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Norwegian Forest Cats" > > > > ^ Snorri's Edda, I. A. Blackwell, transl. Foot notes. > > > > ^ a b c Statistics Denmark. For 2005, see: [5] > > > > ^ As per the Office for National Statistics' official website, viewable> > online here:[6] > > > > ^ a b Schр╕гр╕Цn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jр╕гр╕Дttar i tro och> > tradition. Fр╕гр╕Дlt & Hр╕гр╕Дssler, Vр╕гр╕Дrnamo. p. 228. > > > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schр╕гр╕Ьtte. > > > > ^ Nр╕гр╕Дsstrр╕гр╕Цm, Britt-Mari. Freyja: the Great Goddess of the North. University> > of Lund, 1995. Harwich Port: Clock & Rose, 2003. ISBN 1-59386-019- 6. > > > > ^ son, Hilda Ellis. (1998). Roles of the Northern Goddess, page 10.> > London: Routlege. > > > > ^ Grundy, , Freyja and Frigg, pages 56-67. > > > > ^ Nasstrom, Nр╕гр╕Дsstrр╕гр╕Цm. Freyja, a goddess with many names, pages 68-77. > > > > ^ Billington, & Green, Miranda (Eds.) (1996). The Concept of the> > Goddess. London: Routlege. > > > > ^ Welsh, Lynda. (2001). Goddess of the North, page 75. York Beach: Weiser> > Books. > > > > ^ son, Hilda Ellis. Roles of the Northern Goddess (1998). > > > > ^ Turville, Petre. E.O.G. Myth and Religion of the North: The Religion of> > Ancient Scandinavia. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1964.> > > > [show] > > > > v р╣ВтВмр╕В d р╣ВтВмр╕В e> > > > Norse mythology and paganism> > > > > > > > Deities,> > > > heroes,> > > > and figuresр╕гÑâ”â•œsirBaldr р╕вр╕Ч Bragi р╕вр╕Ч Forseti р╕вр╕Ч Dellingr р╕вр╕Ч Freyr р╕вр╕Ч Heimdallr р╕вр╕Ч> > Hermр╕гр╕"р╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Hр╕гр╕Цр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Hр╕е"nir р╕вр╕Ч Loki р╕вр╕Ч Meili р╕вр╕Ч Lр╕гр╕"р╕гр╕Рurr р╕вр╕Ч Mр╕гр╕Ðmir р╕вр╕Ч Njр╕гр╕Цrр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч р╕г"р╕гр╕Рinn р╕вр╕Ч> > р╕г"р╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”╜р╕гр╕"rr р╕вр╕Ч Tр╕гр╕Ðr р╕вр╕Ч Ullr р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Бli р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Ðр╕гр╕Рarr р╕вр╕Ч Vili and Vр╕гр╕Й> > > > > > > > р╕гÑâ”â•œsynjurBil р╕вр╕Ч Eir р╕вр╕Ч Freyja р╕вр╕Ч Frigg р╕вр╕Ч Fulla р╕вр╕Ч Gerр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Gefjon р╕вр╕Ч Gnр╕гр╕Б р╕вр╕Ч Hlр╕гр╕Ðn р╕вр╕Ч> > Ilmr р╕вр╕Ч Iр╕гр╕Рunn р╕вр╕Ч Irpa р╕вр╕Ч Lofn р╕вр╕Ч Nanna р╕вр╕Ч Njр╕гр╕Цrun р╕вр╕Ч Rр╕гр╕Бn р╕вр╕Ч Rindr р╕вр╕Ч Sр╕гр╕Бga р╕вр╕Ч Sif р╕вр╕Ч> > Sigyn р╕вр╕Ч Sjр╕гр╕Цfn р╕вр╕Ч Skaр╕гр╕Рi р╕вр╕Ч Snotra р╕вр╕Ч Sр╕гр╕"l р╕вр╕Ч Syn р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”â•œorgerр╕гр╕Рr Hр╕гр╕Цlgabrр╕гр╕Ър╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”â•œrр╕гр╕Ър╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч> > Vр╕гр╕Бr р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цr> > > > > > > > OthersAsk and Embla р╕вр╕Ч Dр╕гр╕Ðs (Norns р╕вр╕Ч Valkyries) р╕вр╕Ч Dwarves р╕вр╕Ч Einherjar р╕вр╕Ч Elves> > (Light elves р╕вр╕Ч Dark elves) р╕вр╕Ч Fenrir р╕вр╕Ч Hel р╕вр╕Ч Jр╕гр╕Цrmungandr р╕вр╕Ч Giants р╕вр╕Ч Sigurd р╕вр╕Ч> > Trolls р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цlundr> > > > > > > > > > > > LocationsAsgard р╕вр╕Ч Bifrр╕гр╕Цst р╕вр╕Ч Fр╕гр╕"lkvangr р╕вр╕Ч Ginnungagap р╕вр╕Ч Hel р╕вр╕Ч Midgard р╕вр╕Ч> > Mр╕гр╕Ъspellsheimr р╕вр╕Ч Niflheim р╕вр╕Ч Valhalla р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Ðgrр╕гр╕Ðр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Wells (Mр╕гр╕Ðmisbrunnr р╕вр╕Ч> > Hvergelmir р╕вр╕Ч Urр╕гр╕Рarbrunnr) р╕вр╕Ч Yggdrasil> > > > > > > > Eventsр╕гÑâ”â•œsirр╣ВтВм"Vanir Warр╣ВтВмÑâ”â•œ р╕вр╕Ч Fimbulvetr р╕вр╕Ч Ragnarр╕гр╕Цk> > > > > > > > SourcesGesta Danorum р╕вр╕Ч Poetic Edda р╕вр╕Ч Prose Edda р╕вр╕Ч Runestones р╕вр╕Ч Sagas р╕вр╕Ч> > Tyrfing Cycle р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цlsung Cycle р╕вр╕Ч Old Norse language р╕вр╕Ч Orthography р╕вр╕Ч Later> > influence> > > > > > > > SocietyBlр╕гр╕"t р╕вр╕Ч Fр╕гр╕Йlag р╕вр╕Ч Germanic calendar р╕вр╕Ч Heiti р╕вр╕Ч Hр╕гр╕Цrgr р╕вр╕Ч Kenning р╕вр╕Ч Mead> > hall р╕вр╕Ч Nр╕др╕Лр╕гр╕Ю р╕вр╕Ч Norse pagan worship р╕вр╕Ч Numbers р╕вр╕Ч Runic calendar р╕вр╕Ч Seiр╕гр╕Рr р╕вр╕Ч Skald > > р╕вр╕Ч Viking Age р╕вр╕Ч Vр╕гр╕Цlva> > > > > > > > OriginsGermanic paganism р╕вр╕Ч Proto-Indo-European religion> > > > > > > > See alsoNorse gods р╕вр╕Ч Mythological Norse people, items and places р╕вр╕Ч р╕гÑâ”â•œsatrр╕гр╕Ъ> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 31, 2009 Report Share Posted December 31, 2009 Oh how sad! I will keep your whole family in my prayers and thoughts...I am so sorry. ~*~Hugs~*~ ~*~Akiba~*~ -- Re: Reb, and the lousy gift......More lousy gifts The cold is resolving itself, but my family had another lousy gift this year. The father of my older sister and older brother (not a step-dad to me, because he was before my time, more like an uncle or so to me, he always did stay in touch with the family), was going to have Christmas dinner with my brother's family, on Christmas Eve (in Sweden we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day), but he slipped on the ice on his way from the car to the house, and hit his head. He never woke up from the coma, and I just learned (from my older sister) that he died yesterday. Is that a lousy gift for his grandkids and kids or what! An accident on Christmas is not how grandpa's, or dads (or anyone) should go. Keep his wife, his son and daughter (my brother and sister), and their families in your thoughts, please. love/Reb "She has a great variety of names, for having gone over many> > countries in search of à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âr, each people gave her a different name".)[21] In> > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sà ¸£à ¸Âr (Latinized as> > Syritha) seeking for à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âr/à ¸£"ttar (Latinized as Otharus).[16][21]> > > > The owner of Svadilfari: This giant came to offer to build a citidel for the> > gods in three seasons. He demanded to marry fair Freyja, also the sun and> > the moon as his rewards. Following Loki's ill advice, the gods accepted the> > deal, but they later urged Loki to deceive the giant to protect Freyja. Loki> > turned into a mare and seduced Svadilfari, the huge steed of the giant.> > Without his horse, the giant could not complete his job, he was enraged,> > insulted the gods, and eventually got slain by Thor before the deal was> > completed. Loki's prank ultimately backfired on him, and he bore the son of> > the horse Svadilfari, Sleipnir. (Gylfaginning (42))> > > > The abduction of Ià ¸£à ¸Âunn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and forced him to> > lure Ià ¸£à ¸Âunn out to kidnap her along with the golden apples. Without the> > apples of youth, the gods grew old and they soon found out that Ià ¸£à ¸Âunn was> > missing. She was last seen going with Loki, so they cornered the giant and> > threathened to slay him. Loki had to borrow the hawk's plumage of Freyja to> > go and free Ià ¸£à ¸Âunn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form, but he was> > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaà ¸£à ¸Âi, who later became Freyr> > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaà ¸£à ¸Âi's march to Asgard for vengeance ended in a> > marriage with Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr. (Skà ¸£à ¸Âldskaparmà ¸£à ¸Âl (1))> > > > Thor's duel: After his race with Odin, which he lost, the champion of the> > giants, Hrungnir, came to Asgard. Thor is absent, so he boasted that he> > would destroy Valhalla, slay all the gods, and take Freyja and Sif home with> > him. Of all goddesses, Freyja alone was brave enough to stand and pour ale> > for the giant to waste time while Thor is summoned. The god of thunder, with> > the help of his clever servant à ¸£ï¿½jà ¸£à ¸Âlfi, later slew Hrungnir in a duel, but> > Thor himself was struck by the giant's horn and also wounded. This is one of> > the reasons why the Hill Giants are amongst the gods' enemies at the final> > battle. (Skà ¸£à ¸Âldskaparmà ¸£à ¸Âl (17))> > > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the à ¸£ï¿½sir, can not be harmed by> > anything. Loki turned himself into a woman to trick Frigg into revealing> > that Baldur can only be hurt by the mistletoes. Loki then tricked the blind> > god Hà ¸£à ¸–dr to shoot his brother with a mistletoe twig, thus Baldur was> > murdered by the evil giant Loki's trickery. "People of many races visited> > this burning. First is to be told of Odin, how Frigg and the Valkyries went> > with him, and his ravens; but Freyr drove in his chariot with the boar> > called Gold-Mane, or Fearful-Tusk, and Heimdallr rode the horse called> > Gold-Top, and Freyja drove in her chariot drawn by cats..." (Gylfaginning> > (49))> > > > [edit] Sagas of Icelanders> > > > The various Sagas of Icelanders contain numerous mentions of Freyja.> > > > [edit] Heimskringla> > > > According to the Ynglinga saga:> > > > "Dà ¸£à ¸"ttir Njarà ¸£à ¸Âar var Freyja, hon var blà ¸£à ¸"tgyà ¸£à ¸Âja, ok hon kendi fyrst meà ¸£à ¸ à ¸£ï¿½sum> > seià ¸£à ¸Â, sem Và ¸£à ¸–num var tà ¸£à ¸Âtt. à ¸£ï¿½à ¸£à ¸ er Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr var meà ¸£à ¸ Và ¸£à ¸–num, à ¸£à ¸žà ¸£à ¸ hafà ¸£à ¸Âi hann à ¸£à ¸Âtta> > systr sà ¸£à ¸Âna à ¸£à ¸žvà ¸£à ¸ at à ¸£à ¸žat và ¸£à ¸Âru à ¸£à ¸žar là ¸£à ¸–g; và ¸£à ¸Âru à ¸£à ¸žeirra bà ¸£à ¸–rn Freyr ok Freyja. En à ¸£à ¸žat> > var bannat meà ¸£à ¸ à ¸£ï¿½sum at byggja svà ¸£à ¸ nà ¸£à ¸Âit at frà ¸£à ¸†ndsemi.""Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr's daughter> > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the à ¸£ï¿½sir the magic> > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr was with the> > Vanir he had taken his own sister in marriage, for that was allowed by their> > law; and their children were Freyr and Freyja. But among the à ¸£ï¿½sir it was> > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations."> > > > > > > > After the deaths of Odin, Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr, and Freyr:> > > > "Freyja hà ¸£à ¸‰lt à ¸£à ¸žà ¸£à ¸ upp blà ¸£à ¸"tum, à ¸£à ¸žvà ¸£à ¸ at hon ein lifà ¸£à ¸Âi à ¸£à ¸žà ¸£à ¸ eptir goà ¸£à ¸Âanna, ok varà ¸£à ¸Â> > hon à ¸£à ¸žà ¸£à ¸ hin frà ¸£à ¸†gsta, svà ¸£à ¸ at meà ¸£à ¸ hennar nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,> > svà ¸£à ¸ sem nà ¸£à ¸š heita frà ¸£à ¸švor. Svà ¸£à ¸ heitir ok hver freyja yfir sinni eign, en sà ¸£à ¸š> > hà ¸£à ¸šsfreyja, er bà ¸£à ¸š à ¸£à ¸Â. Freyja var heldr marglynd; à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âr hà ¸£à ¸‰t bà ¸£à ¸"ndi hennar, dà ¸£à ¸†tr> > hennar hà ¸£à ¸‰tu Hnoss ok Gersemi; à ¸£à ¸žà ¸£à ¸†r và ¸£à ¸Âru fagrar mjà ¸£à ¸–g: af à ¸£à ¸žeirra nafni eru svà ¸£à ¸Â> > kallaà ¸£à ¸Âir hinir dà ¸£à ¸Ârstu gripir.""Freyja alone remained of the gods, and she> > became on this account so celebrated that all women of distinction were> > called by her name, whence they now have the title Frà ¸£à ¸š (Frau in German); so> > that every woman is called frà ¸£à ¸š (frau in German), or mistress over her> > property, and the wife is called the house-Frà ¸£à ¸š (Ehefrau in German). Freyja> > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her> > husband was called à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âr, and her daughters Hnoss and Gersemi. They were so> > very beautiful, that afterwards the most precious jewels were called by> > their names."[27]> > > > > > > > In King Hà ¸£à ¸…kon the Good's saga, Freyja is mentioned twice. First, regarding> > the sacrifices for the goddess (16):> > > > And first Odin's goblet was emptied for victory and power to his king.> > Thereafter, Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr's and Freyja's goblets for peace and a good season> > > > Secondly, Freyja's golden tears for her husband are referenced:> > > > Although the king had gained of old > > > > Enough of Freyja's tears of gold, > > > > He spared himself no more than tho' > > > > He'd had no well-filled purse to show.[28]> > > > [edit] Other Sagas> > > > In Egils saga, when à ¸£ï¿½orgerà ¸£à ¸Âr threatened to commit suicide, she said: "No> > supper have I had, and none will I have till I sup with Freyja. I can do no> > better than does my father: I will not overlive my father and brother."> > > > In Hà ¸£à ¸Âlfs saga, Queen Signy, wife of King Alfrek, prayed for the help of> > Freyja in an ale-brewing contest. Her opponent, Geirhild, however, had the> > help of Odin, who gave her his drools as yeast. And so Signy lost.> > > > Frithiof's Saga mentions the tale of Freyja and à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âr:> > > > Freyja one day > > > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away. > > > > Northward and southward she sought her > > > > Dearly-loved Oder.> > > > According to Njà ¸£à ¸Âls saga: "There had been a change of rulers in Norway, Earl> > Hacon was dead and gone, but in his stead was come Olaf Tryggvason. Along> > with that was heard that there had been a change of faith in Norway; they> > had cast off the old faith, but King Olaf had christened the western lands,> > Shetland, and the Orkneys, and the Faroe Isles. Then many men spoke so that> > Njal heard it, that it was a strange and wicked thing to throw off the old> > faith..." Then, Hjalti Skeggiason, an Icelander newly converted to> > Christianity, wished to express his contempt for the native gods, so he> > sang:> > > > "Ever will I Gods blaspheme > > > > Freyja methinks a dog does seem, > > > > Freyja a dog? Aye! Let them be > > > > Both dogs together Odin and she!"[29]> > > > Hjalti was found guilty of blasphemy for his infamous verse and he ran to> > Norway with his father-in-law, Gizur the White. Later, with Olaf Tryggvason> > s support, Gizur and Hjalti came back to Iceland to invite those assembled> > at the Althing to convert to Christianity.[30][31]> > > > The Saga of King Olaf Tryggvason, composed around 1300, describes that> > following King Olaf Tryggvason's orders, to prove their piety, people must> > insult and ridicule major heathen deities when they are newly converted into> > Christianity. Hallfreà ¸£à ¸Âr vandrà ¸£à ¸†à ¸£à ¸Âaskà ¸£à ¸Âld, who was reluctantly converted from> > paganism to Christianity by Olaf, also had to make a poem to forsake pagan> > deities. Freyja is named among those major deities.[32]> > > > > > > > > > > > Historically, during the Christianization of Norway, King Olaf Tryggvason> > used elaborate ways to kill those who refused to Christianize.> > > > [edit] Flateyjarbà ¸£à ¸"k> > > > Sà ¸£à ¸–rla à ¸£à ¸žà ¸£à ¸Âttr is a short story in the later and extended version of the Saga> > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbà ¸£à ¸"k, which is> > written and compiled by two Christian priests, Jon Thordson and Magnus> > Thorhalson, in 14th-15th century.[34] The story borrows parts of> > Heimskringla (of how heathen deities are euhemerised), parts of the poem> > Lokasenna (of Gefjun sleeping with a boy for a necklace), parts of the> > Hà ¸£à ¸šsdrà ¸£à ¸Âpa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen), and the eternal battle> > Hjaà ¸£à ¸Âningavà ¸£à ¸Âg. In the end of the story, the arrival of Christianity dissolves> > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarà ¸£à ¸–k.> > > > "Freyja was a human in Asia and was the favorite concubine of Odin, King of> > Asialand. When this woman wanted to buy a golden necklace (no name given)> > forged by four dwarves (named Dvalinn, Alfrik, Berling, and Grer), she> > offered them gold and silver but they replied that they would only sell it> > to her if she would lie a night by each of them. She came home afterward> > with the necklace and kept silent as if nothing happened. But a man called> > Loki somehow knew it, and came to tell Odin. King Odin commanded Loki to> > steal the necklace, so Loki turned into a fly to sneak into Freyja's bower> > and stole it. When Freyja found her necklace missing, she came to ask king> > Odin. In exchange for it, Odin ordered her to make two kings, each served by> > twenty kings, fight forever unless some christened men so brave would dare> > to enter the battle and slay them. She said yes, and got that necklace back.> > Under the spell, king Hà ¸£à ¸–gni and king Heà ¸£à ¸Âinn battled for one hundred and> > forty-three years, as soon as they fell down they had to stand up again and> > fight on. But in the end, the great Christian lord Olaf Tryggvason arrived> > with his brave christened men, and whoever slain by a Christian would stay> > dead. Thus the pagan curse was finally dissolved by the arrival of> > Christianity. After that, the noble man, king Olaf, went back to his realm.> > [35]> > > > This late work of Christian saga authors[21] is quite obviously a propaganda> > and does not represent an authentic pagan tradition (here Odin, the chief> > pagan god, somehow talked about Christianity, the religion that considers> > Odin and other pagan deities "devils"[36]). The Christian priests Jon> > Thordson and Magnus Thorhalson, who respectively wrote and revised the Olaf> > sagas in the Flateyjarbà ¸£à ¸"k, put this line in their manuscript: "May God> > Almighty and the Virgin bless both the one that wrote and the one that> > dictated!"[34]> > > > The battle of Hà ¸£à ¸–gni and Heà ¸£à ¸Âinn is recorded in the skaldic poem Ragnarsdrà ¸£à ¸Âpa> > and in Skà ¸£à ¸Âldskaparmà ¸£à ¸Âl (section 49): king Hà ¸£à ¸–gni's daughter, Hildr, is> > kidnapped by king Heà ¸£à ¸Âinn. When Hà ¸£à ¸–gni comes to fight Heà ¸£à ¸Âinn on an island,> > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of Heà ¸£à ¸Âinn for peace;> > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to make them> > fight until Ragnarà ¸£à ¸–k.[26] Both these earlier sources never mention Odin or> > Freyja, much less king Olaf Tryggvason, the historical figure who> > Christianized Norway and Iceland in the 10th Century. The stealing of> > Brà ¸£à ¸Âsingamen is recorded in the skaldic poem Hà ¸£à ¸šsdrà ¸£à ¸Âpa and Skà ¸£à ¸Âldskaparmà ¸£à ¸Âl of> > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brà ¸£à ¸Âsingamen, Heimdall contends with Loki> > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brà ¸£à ¸Âsingamen to Freyja. Here the> > story is borrowed and changed that Heimdall is removed.[26] In both the> > Elder Edda and the Younger Edda, as well as many old skadic poems preserved> > in Skà ¸£à ¸Âldskaparmà ¸£à ¸Âl, Freyja is the wife of à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âr,[37] not a concubine of Odin.> > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist in any> > sources beside Sà ¸£à ¸–rla à ¸£à ¸žà ¸£à ¸Âttr, and curiously, in Lokasenna, when Loki accuses> > goddesses for various vices, he does not even mention that. On the other> > hand, Saxo Grammaticus in his Gesta Danorum wrote a somewhat similar story> > about Frigg sleeping with a servant to obtain a device to steal Odin's gold;> > in both stories, the chief pagan god Odin is depicted as a cuckold. But Saxo> > as a follower of Archbishop Absalon, repeatedly stated that "Odin is a> > false god and together with Thor and others they borrowed the name and> > divinity of Latin and Greek gods to trick Scandinavians into recognizing> > them as a gods," and his accounts are heavily romanticized such as Baldr> > (Balderus) and Hà ¸£à ¸–à ¸£à ¸Âr (Hà ¸£à ¸˜therus) were not brothers, but love rivals over Nanna> > (in this account is a princess of Norway).[38]> > > > [edit] Gesta Danorum> > > > In Saxo Grammaticus's Gesta Danorum, Freyja is theorized as appearing under> > the name of Sà ¸£à ¸Âr (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for marriage by a giant,> > and she travelled seeking for à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âr (Otharus) who had slain the giant to save> > her.[16][21]> > > > [edit] Oral Traditions> > > > Rural Scandinavians remained dependent on the forces of nature, fertility> > gods remained important and in rural 19th century Sweden, Freyja retained> > elements of her role as a fertility goddess.[39] In the province of Smà ¸£à ¸…land,> > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning in this> > respect:[39]> > > > Jag minns en sà ¸£à ¸–ndag pà ¸£à ¸… 1880-talet, det var nà ¸£à ¸…gra gubbar ute och gick bland> > à ¸£à ¸…krarna och tittade pà ¸£à ¸… rà ¸£à ¸…gen som snart var mogen. Dà ¸£à ¸… sa Mà ¸£à ¸…ns i Karryd: "Nu à ¸£à ¸„> > Frà ¸£à ¸–a ute à ¸£à ¸… sir à ¸£à ¸„tter om rà ¸£à ¸…jen à ¸£à ¸„r mogen." [...] Nà ¸£à ¸„r jag som liten pojke satt> > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dà ¸£à ¸…tida barn mycket rà ¸£à ¸„dd fà ¸£à ¸–r> > à ¸£à ¸…skan. Nà ¸£à ¸„r kornblixtarna syntes om kvà ¸£à ¸„llarna, sade Katrina: "Du sa inte va> > rà ¸£à ¸„dd barn lella, dà ¸£à ¸„ à ¸£à ¸„ bara Frà ¸£à ¸–a som à ¸£à ¸„ ute à ¸£à ¸… slà ¸£à ¸…r ell med stà ¸£à ¸…l à ¸£à ¸… flenta fà ¸£à ¸–r à ¸£à ¸…> > si etter om kornet à ¸£à ¸„ moet. Ho à ¸£à ¸„ snà ¸£à ¸„ll ve folk à ¸£à ¸… gà ¸£à ¸–r dà ¸£à ¸„ bare fà ¸£à ¸–r à ¸£à ¸… hjà ¸£à ¸„lpa, ho> > gà ¸£à ¸–r inte som Tor, han slà ¸£à ¸…r ihjà ¸£à ¸„l bà ¸£à ¸…de folk à ¸£à ¸… fà ¸£à ¸„, nà ¸£à ¸„r han lynna [...] Jag har> > sedan hà ¸£à ¸–rt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pà ¸£à ¸… ungefà ¸£à ¸„r samma sà ¸£à ¸„tt.[40]I> > remember a Sunday in the 1880s, when some men were walking in the fields> > looking at the rye which was about to ripen. Then Mà ¸£à ¸…ns in Karryd said: "Now> > Freyja is out watching if the rye is ripe" [...] When as a boy I was> > visiting the old Proud-Katrina, I was afraid of lightning like all boys in> > those days. When the sheet lightning flared in the nights, Katrina said: > > Don't be afraid little child, it is only Freyja who is out making fire with> > steel and flintstone to see if the rye is ripe. She is kind to people and> > she is only doing it to be of service, she is not like Thor, he slays both> > people and livestock, when he is in the mood" [...] I later heard several> > old folks talk of the same thing in the same way.[41]> > > > > > > > In Và ¸£à ¸„rend, Freyja could also arrive at Christmas night and she used to shake> > the apple trees for the sake of a good harvest and consequently people left> > some apples in the trees for her sake.[39] Moreover, it was dangerous to> > leave the plough outdoors, because if Freyja sat on it, it would no longer> > be of any use.[39]> > > > [edit] Potential continental Germanic Sources> > > > Further information: Frà ¸¤à ¸‹ge> > > > Recorded during the 9th or 10th century, though dating to an unknown earlier> > time, one of the two Merseburg Incantations, from Merseburg, Germany> > mentions a figure named Frà ¸£à ¸Žia or Frà ¸£à ¸›a (Frà ¸£à ¸"wa)[16], who places an enchantment> > on the wounded horse of Balder and Wodan (Odin). This figure has been> > theorized as Freyja[16][42] and as Frigg.[20]> > > > More to this confusion, the Origo Gentis Langobardorum (Origin of the> > Lombards, written in the 7th Century) mentions Frea, a goddess of love; and> > Historia Langobardorum (History of the Lombards, written in the 8th Century)> > also mentions the story of Frea (Freja)[43] and how she gave the Lombards> > their name. But this goddess is described as the wife of Godan (Odin), which> > in Norse accounts is Frigg. On the other hand, it is Freyja, not Frigg, who> > is the goddess of love in Norse accounts.[44]> > > > Tacitus in his work Germania (1st Century) briefly mentioned the worship of> > a mother goddess, a female Freyr, that is Freyja.[16] Tacitus also mentioned> > the goddess Nerthus, whom has been linked to Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr, Freyja,[17] and Freyr> > [16]> > > > [edit] Receiver of half the slain> > > > Freyja receives half of the spirits of warriors who had died bravely in> > battle. Snorri writes in Gylfaginning (24) that "wherever she rides to> > battle, she gets half the slain."[45]> > > > Further, from Grà ¸£à ¸Âmnismà ¸£à ¸Âl:> > > > The ninth is Fà ¸£à ¸"lkvangr, where bright Freyja decrees > > > > where in the hall warriors shall sit: > > > > Some of the fallen belong to her, > > > > And some belong to Odin.> > > > Freyja is also called Eigandi valfalls (Possessor of the slain)[46] and> > Valfreyja,[47] Mistress of the slain and of the Valkyries in general.[16]> > > > In Egil's Saga, Thorgerda (à ¸£ï¿½orgerà ¸£à ¸Âr), threatens to commit suicide in the> > wake of her brother's death, saying: "I shall not eat until I sup with> > Freyja." This should be taken to mean that she expected to pass to Freyja's> > hall upon her death.> > > > Another point of view explains a difference between Odin's Einherjar and> > Freyja's; the oral tradition, or à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âal property, explains that Odin's> > warriors are "the offensive," or those who dedicate their life to fighting.> > Freyjaà ¹‚€�s warriors are "the defensive", or those who only fight to protect> > their families, clans or goods. The historian Else Roesdahl noticed that a> > difference between the two cultures in regards to burials containing weapons> > In those in Norway the buried warriors had defensive shields, and in> > Denmark they had only offensive weapons.[48]> > > > [edit] Possessions> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja, depicted in a painting by J. Penrose.> > > > Surviving tales regarding Freyja often associate Freyja with numerous> > enchanted possessions.> > > > [edit] Brà ¸£à ¸Âsingamen> > > > Main article: Brà ¸£à ¸Âsingamen> > > > Brà ¸£à ¸Âsingamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of gold and amber,> > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings, Brà ¸£à ¸Âsingamen is> > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skà ¸£à ¸Âldskaparmà ¸£à ¸Âl (31), it is written that women often> > wore "stone-necklaces" as a part of a woman's apparels, to indicate their> > social status. That is the reason why woman is paraphrased with reference to> > jewels and agates.> > > > [edit] Falcon Cloak> > > > Freyja owns a cloak of falcon feathers, which can give her the ability to> > change into the guise of any birds, and to fly between worlds. It is called> > Valshamr, the "hawk's plumage" "falcon skin," or "falcon-feathered cloak" in> > different translations. The same magical cloak was also assigned to Frigg in> > some tales.> > > > [edit] Cat-drawn Chariot> > > > > > > > > > > > A depiction of Freyja riding a cat-driven chariot and flanked by Italian> > Renaissance-inspired putti by Swedish painter Nils Blommà ¸£à ¸‰r.> > > > Freyja often rides on a chariot drawn by a pair of large cats. She rode this> > chariot to Baldur's funeral. These cats are called Gib-cats in the Prose> > Edda. They are thought to be either Norwegian forest cats [49] or Lynx. Cats> > are sacred to Freyja, just as wolves are to Odin. "When a bride goes to the> > wedding in fine weather, they say 'she has fed the cat well,' not offended> > the favourite of the love-goddess."[16]> > > > Freyja is considered a warrior goddess among her many roles. The chariot> > also is a warlike attribute and often given to exalted deities only.[16]> > This does not mean that every exalted Germanic deity must have a wagon, but> > most of them have special rides. Odin and Heimdallr have horses, Thor has a> > chariot drawn by goats, Freyr has a boar, but Freyja has both chariot and> > boar.> > > > [edit] Hildisvini> > > > Freyja also rides a golden-bristled boar called Hildisvini (Battle-Swine)> > which appeared only in the poem Hyndluljà ¸£à ¸"à ¸£à ¸Â. Later we are told that the boar> > is her protà ¸£à ¸‰gà ¸£à ¸‰, à ¸£"ttar, but it seems that à ¸£"ttar was temporarily disguised as> > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is à ¸£"ttar. The boar has special associations> > within Norse Mythology, both relative to the notion of fertility and also as> > a protective talisman in war.> > > > In Skà ¸£à ¸Âldskaparmà ¸£à ¸Âl (14), Freyr is described as riding on another> > golden-bristled boar, Gullinbursti, which may be one and the same with> > Freyja's.> > > > The battle-bold Freyr rideth > > > > First on the golden-bristled > > > > Barrow-boar to the bale-fire > > > > Of Baldur, and leads the people.> > > > [edit] Other names> > > > [edit] Forms of "Freyja"> > > > Freyja > > > > Freyju > > > > Freja - common Danish and literary Swedish form.> > > > Freia > > > > Freya - common English form > > > > Frya - Frisian form > > > > Frea - History of the Langobards > > > > Freo > > > > Frowa > > > > Froya - Faroese form > > > > Frà ¸£à ¸˜ya, Frà ¸£à ¸–a - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form. > > > > Frà ¸£à ¸–e - a Danish form > > > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as the fair sun> > "den và ¸£à ¸„na solen" (Vana: from "Vanir", means beautiful[50]) > > > > Friia, Frà ¸¤à ¸‹a - second Merseburg Charm > > > > Frija - variant of Friia > > > > Freija - Finnish form> > > > [edit] Other forms> > > > > > > > > > > > Hà ¸£à ¸„rnevi which means "Hà ¸£à ¸–rn's shrine" was once a sacred location dedicated to> > Freyja, in Uppland, Sweden.> > > > According to Snorri Sturluson's Prose Edda, Freyja also bore the following> > names:> > > > Vanadà ¸£à ¸Âs, which means "Dà ¸£à ¸Âs of the Vanir" or "fair goddess" (và ¸£à ¸„na means> > beautiful); > > > > Mardà ¸£à ¸–ll, which means "sea-bright" (mar: "sea", dà ¸£à ¸–ll: feminine of dallr > > bright light", cf. Heimdallr); > > > > Hà ¸£à ¸–rn, which may be related to the word hà ¸£à ¸–rr meaning "flax", "linen"; > > > > Gefn, which means "the giver", is a suitable name for a fertility goddess; > > > > Sà ¸£à ¸Âr, whose translation is "sow", illustrates the association of the Vanir> > with pigs and fertility.> > > > In the famous Njal's Saga, another title of Freyja is mentioned: Valfreyja,> > which means "Mistress of the Chosen", "Mistress of the Slain" (cf. Valfaà ¸£à ¸Âir > > Father of the Slain" (Odin), Valkyrja "Chooser of the Slain").> > > > [edit] Kennings> > > > [show]Kennings> > > > Gold is called Tears of Freyja: > > > > Many a fearless swordsman > > > > Received the Tears of Freyja > > > > The more the morn when foemen > > > > We murdered; we were present> > > > Rà ¸£à ¸"di's Roof's great Ice-Lump > > > > For the Rain of Freyja's Eyelids > > > > Grows not less, my fair axe-head; > > > > His age my lord so useth.> > > > I received the Ice of Wed Rims, > > > > With Freyja's golden Eye-Thaw, > > > > From the upright prince high-hearted; > > > > We bear in hand the Helm's Hurt.> > > > Gold is called Tears of Mardà ¸£à ¸–ll:> > > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings, > > > > The Tear of Mardà ¸£à ¸–ll lieth, > > > > We bear the axe shield-splitting, > > > > Swollen with Serpent's lair-gold.> > > > ...> > > > The free-handed Lord gave, > > > > The heroes accepted, > > > > Sif's firm-grown tresses, > > > > Ice of the bow-force, > > > > Otter-gild unwilling, > > > > Weeping of Mardà ¸£à ¸–ll, > > > > Fire-flame of à ¸£"run, > > > > Idi's fine Speeches.> > > > Gold is called Tears of à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âr's Bride:> > > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice, > > > > With tear-gold is unminished, > > > > The Eye-rain of à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âr's Bride: > > > > His age the King so useth.> > > > Jewel is called Child of Hà ¸£à ¸–rn:> > > > Hà ¸£à ¸–rn's Child, the glorious adornment, > > > > I own, gold-wound a jewel > > > > Most fair to the shield's rim > > > > Fast is the golden Sea-Flame:> > > > Gem is called Niece of Freyr, Gold is called Tears of Hnoss's Mother:> > > > On the gem, Freyr's Niece, the tear-drift > > > > Of the fore-head of her Mother > > > > She bears; the Raven-Feeder > > > > Gave me Frà ¸£à ¸"di's seed-gold's fostering.> > > > Gem is called Child of Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr's Daughter:> > > > A defence of songs full goodly > > > > He freely gave me, neighbor > > > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly > > > > Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr's Daughter's golden gem-child.> > > > Fair things are called Daughter of Freyja:> > > > The awesome Stately Urger > > > > Of Odin, he who raises > > > > The struggle stern, gave to me > > > > The courage-stalwart daughter > > > > Of the Vana-Bride, my fair axe; > > > > The valorous sword-mote's Ruler > > > > Led Gefn's girl to the Skald's bed, > > > > Set with the sea-flame's gold-work.> > > > > > > > "It is proper to join 'tears' with all the names of Freyja, and to call gold> > by such terms; and in divers ways these periphrases have been varied, so> > that gold is called Hail, or Rain, or Snow-Storm, or Drops, or Showers, or> > Water falls of Freyja's Eyes, or Cheeks, or Brows, or Eyelids." (The Prose> > Edda, The poesy of Skalds or Poetical Diction (37), Snorri's teachings of> > how Freyja and Hnoss's names can be used as kennings for fair things like> > gold, jewels, and gems).> > > > [edit] Eponyms> > > > [edit] People> > > > > > > > > > > > A painting named "Freja" (1901) by Swedish painter Anders Zorn.> > > > Freya (and its variant forms) is a common Scandinavian female name. In 2005,> > the name Freja was the 5th most popular given name for Danish girls born> > that year.[51] The following year, 2006, the name became even more popular> > in Denmark, having risen to the 3rd most popular given name for girls born> > in 2006;[51] but it dropped to 4th place in 2007.[51] The name Freya was the> > 23rd (in 2006) and 25th (in 2007) most common given name for baby girls in> > England and Wales.[52]> > > > [edit] Places> > > > Many farms in Norway have Frà ¸£à ¸˜y- as the first element in their names, and the> > most common are the name Frà ¸£à ¸˜yland (13 farms). But whether Frà ¸£à ¸˜y- in these> > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is questionable> > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frà ¸£à ¸˜yjuhof, in Udenes parish,> > are however most probably the genitive case of the name Freyja. (The last> > element is hof 'temple', and a church was built on the farm in the Middle> > Ages, which indicates the location was an old holy place.) The same name,> > Frà ¸£à ¸˜yjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjà ¸£à ¸˜rdal. There are also two> > islands named Frà ¸£à ¸˜ya in Norway.> > > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies the farm> > Ryland (Norse Rà ¸£à ¸Âgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rà ¸£à ¸Âgr > > lady' (identical with the meaning of the name Freyja, see above). Since the> > neighbouring farms have the names Hopland (Norse Hofland 'temple land') and> > Totland (Norse à ¸£ï¿½à ¸£à ¸"rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible that rà ¸£à ¸Âgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rà ¸£à ¸Âgja) may occur in the name of the Norwegian> > municipality Rygge.> > > > There's Horn in Iceland and Hoorn in Holland, various places in the German> > lands are called Freiburg (burg meaning something like settlement).> > > > [edit] Plants> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja's hair - Polygala vulgaris - a species of the genus Polygala.> > > > Several plants were named after Freyja, such as Freyja's tears and Freyja's> > hair (Polygala vulgaris), but after the introduction of Christianity, they> > were renamed after the Virgin in order to more fully eradicate the> > native traditions.[53]> > > > [edit] Friday> > > > The name Friday comes from the Old English frigedà ¸£à ¸†g, meaning the day of> > Frige the Anglo-Saxon form of Frigg, a West Germanic translation of Latin> > dies Veneris, "day (of the planet) Venus."> > > > However, in most Germanic languages the day is named after Freyjaà ¹‚€"such as> > Frà ¸¤à ¸‹atag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German, Freyjudagr in Old> > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danishà ¹‚€"but Freyja> > and Frigg are frequently identified with each other. From these languages,> > the name has also been adopted by Estonian language as reede.> > > > [edit] Misc> > > > The chemical element Vanadium is named after Freyja via her alternative name> > Vanadà ¸£à ¸Âs. The Orion constellation was called Frigg's distaff or Freyja's> > distaff (Frejerock).[53]> > > > [edit] Homologues> > > > It has been proposed that Freyja may be the most direct mythological> > descendant from Nerthus.[17] Nerthus, a goddess associated with a number of> > Germanic tribes as described by Tacitus in the 1 AD in his work Germania, is> > sometimes identified with Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr through etymological connections. The first> > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter. Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr married his> > sister; they have a son, Freyr, and a daughter, Freyja. This secondary pair> > of deities may be an "emanation" of the first.[54] Like Freyja's chariot,> > the early Germanic goddess Nerthus was also often described as riding a> > wagon.> > > > Britt-Mari Nà ¸£à ¸„sstrà ¸£à ¸–m posits in her "Freyja: the Great Goddess of the North"> > that there is a tenable connection from Freyja to other goddesses worshiped> > along the migration path of the Indo-Europeans who consistently appeared> > with either one or two cats/lions as companions, usually in the war goddess> > aspect but occasionally also as a love goddess. These would include: Durga,> > Ereshkegal, Sekhmet, Menhit, Bast, Anat, Asherah, Nana, Cybele, Rhea, and> > others.[55]> > > > [edit] Freyja in Modern Culture> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja and the apple tree at the end of the world as depicted in an> > illustration by Arthur Rackham.> > > > > > > > > > > > Freyja taken away by the giants as depicted in an illustration by Arthur> > Rackham.> > > > Freyja, in her German variant name "Freia", appears in Wagner's> > massive opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen which includes Das Rheingold,> > Die Walkà ¸£à ¸œre, Siegfried, and Gà ¸£à ¸–tterdà ¸£à ¸„mmerung. This has led to many portrayals> > based on Wagner's interpretation, although some are closer to pre-Wagnerian> > models. Since Wagner's time, numerous depictions and references have entered> > popular culture to varying extents. In Wagner's depiction, Freyja is Frigg's> > sister. She is the goddess of beauty who guards the golden apples. When she> > was captured by two giants Fasolt and Fafnir, the gods quickly became old> > and ugly, and Odin had to pay the giants a hefty ransom including the> > Tarnhelm and the Ring of the Nibelung which he robbed from Alberich to get> > her back.> > > > > > > > > > > > Thor, Freyr, Frigg, Odin, and Loki became old due to the loss of Freyja and> > her apples as depicted in an illustration by Arthur Rackham.> > > > [edit] Potential connections> > > > [edit] Frigg> > > > Main article: Frigg#Connection_between_Frigg_and_Freyja> > > > Frigg is the highest goddess of the à ¸£ï¿½sir, while Freyja is the highest> > goddess of the Vanir. Many arguments have been made both for and against the> > idea that Frigg and Freyja are really the same goddess, avatars of one> > another.[56][57][58][59] Some arguments are based on linguistic analysis,> > others on the fact that Freyja wasn't known in southern Germany, only in the> > north, and in some places the two goddesses were considered to be the same,> > while in others they were considered to be different.[60]> > > > [edit] Gefjun> > > > Main article: Gefjun#Possible_connections_with_Frigg_and_Freyja> > > > Some modern scholars think that the minor goddess Gefjun is an avatar of> > Frigg or Freyja because of their many similarities.[61]> > > > [edit] Gullveig> > > > Main article: Gullveig#Theories> > > > Due to a number of similarities, a hypothesis supported by > > Turville-Petre[62] is that Gullveig, a seeress mentioned in Và ¸£à ¸–luspà ¸£à ¸Â, is> > another name for Freyja.> > > > [edit] See also> > > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja > > > > > > > > Blà ¸£à ¸"t > > > > Hà ¸£à ¸–rgr > > > > List of women warriors in folklore, literature, and popular culture> > > > [edit] References> > > > ^ Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Norse Mythology" > > > > ^ , Gareth (2001) "We know almost nothing about pagan religious> > practices in the Viking Age... Occasional references to paganism in the> > Viking sagas were written down 200 years after the conversion to> > Christianity."[1] "And it is not always clear where the compilers of the> > sagas used earlier material and where they simply made things up. There is a> > further problem that the sagas are primarily works of literature. Both> > events and particularly speech might well be rewritten to give a particular> > literary effect."[2] > > > > ^ W. A. Craigie, "Religion of Ancient Scandinavia" (1914), p.2: "These works> > were written in Iceland during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, and> > most of them are separated by more than a century and a half from the period> > of time to which they relate. As the authors were in every case Christians,> > and many of them were ecclesiastics, it is obvious that the late evidence> > thus afforded us is not to be absolutely relied upon." > > > > ^ a b c d Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Freya" > > > > ^ Frithiof's Saga: > > > > A song of Valhal's brightness, > > > > And all its gods and goddesses, > > > > He'd think: "Yes!" yellow's Freyja's hair, > > > > A corn-land sea, breeze-waved so fair.> > > > ^ Frithiof's Saga: > > > > And blue are Freyja's eyes to see, > > > > Blue as heaven's cloudless canopy! > > > > But I know eyes to whose bright beams > > > > The light blue spring-day darksome seems.> > > > ^ a b c d e f Henry A. Bellows. (Trans.). (1936). The Poetic Edda. Princeton> > University Press 1936. (HTML version transcribed by Ari Odhinnsen available> > at Northvegr: Lore: Poetic Edda - Bellows Trans.) > > > > ^ Steinsland, G. & Meulengracht Sà ¸£à ¸˜rensen, P. (1998): Mà ¸£à ¸„nniskor och makter i> > vikingarnas và ¸£à ¸„rld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72 > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrà ¸£à ¸šnargrà ¸£à ¸Âtr. Undersà ¸£à ¸–kningar i Germanisk Mythologi by> > Viktor Eydberg (1889) > > > > ^ Saga of Hà ¸£à ¸…kon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jà ¸£à ¸„ttar i tro och> > tradition by Ebbe Schà ¸£à ¸–n. > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda, Grà ¸£à ¸Âmnismà ¸£à ¸Âl. > > > > ^ a b Heimskringla: history of the kings of Norway, Book I. Lee M. Hollander> > transl. University of Texas Press (1964). > > > > ^ The Religion of the Northmen by Rudolf Keyser. Barclay Pennock, transl.> > (1854) Chapter XXIV "Sorcery". > > > > ^ a b Keyser, Rudolph, History Professor of University of Norway, > > Nordmà ¸£à ¸†ndenes Religionsforfatning I hedendommen" (1854), Pennock, Barclay.> > Transl. > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897). Gylfaginning (35)> > Frigg is the foremost... the sixth is Freyja, who is ranked with Frigg > > > > ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Grimm, . Deutsche Mythologie (1835) S.> > Stallybras transl. (2004) "Teutonic Mythology", Dover Publications ISBN> > 0-486-43615-2 > > > > ^ a b c Ellis son, H.R. Gods And Myths Of Northern Europe (1965) ISBN> > 0140136274 > > > > ^ It is written in the Septuagint that "All the Gods of the heathens are> > devils!", Sir Lancelot C. L. Brenton's translation. > > > > ^ a b c d Thorpe, . (Trans.). (1866). Edda Sà ¸£à ¸†mundar Hinns Froà ¸£à ¸Âa: The> > Edda Of Sà ¸£à ¸†mund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trà ¸£à ¸œbner & Co. 1866. (HTML> > version transcribed by Ari Odhinnsen available at Northvegr: Lore: Poetic> > Edda - Thorpe Trans.) > > > > ^ a b c d e Lindow, . Norse Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Heroes,> > Rituals, and Beliefs (2001) Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN> > 0-19-515382-0. > > > > ^ a b c d e f Rydberg, Viktor (1889). "Teutonic Mythology". Rasmus B.> > transl. London: Swan Sonnenschein & Co. (2001), Elibron Classics.> > ISBN 1-4021-9391-2. "Fà ¸£à ¸„dernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers' Godsagas) (1887).> > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978-4 > > > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Và ¸£à ¸„rldens vackraste smycke.' in Jordens moder i Norden.> > Stockholm: Carlssons, 1994. p. 111-2. > > > > ^ The Thor song (Swedish) > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda (2nd edition), Lee M. Hollander, transl. University of> > Texas Press (1990). > > > > ^ a b The Prose Edda of Snorri Sturlson (Eysteinn Bjà ¸£à ¸–rnsson's Edition) in> > original Old Norse text. Online version can be found here:[3] > > > > ^ a b c d e f g Brodeur, Arthur Gilchrist. (Trans.) The Prose Edda of Snorri> > Sturlson (1916) Transcribed by Alfta Lothursdottir and available online via> > the Northvegr Foundation here:[4] > > > > ^ The Ynglinga saga. Laing transl. London (1844). > > > > ^ Book V of Heimskringla or The Chronicle of the Kings of Norway by Snorri> > Sturlson, Laing transl. (1844). > > > > ^ Njà ¸£à ¸Âl's Saga or The Story of Burnt Njal, W. DaSent transl. (1861). > > > > ^ W. A. Craigie, "Religion of Ancient Scandinavia" (1914) > > > > ^ T. Kendrick, "History of the Vikings" (1930), p.349, 350. > > > > ^ The Greatest Saga of Olaf Tryggvason, Fornmanna sà ¸£à ¸–gur > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,> > Foresman & Co. (1901). > > > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book. Norrà ¸£à ¸†na> > Society, London (1908). > > > > ^ This short story is also known as "The Saga of Hà ¸£à ¸–gni and Hedinn". English> > translation can be found at Northvegr: Three Northern Love Stories and Other> > Tales. > > > > ^ Old Saxon Baptismal vow in Vatican Codex pal. 577: "I renounce all the> > words and works of the devil, Thunear (Thor), Woden (Odin), and Seaxneat,> > and all those fiends that are their associates." (Thorpe, (1851). > > Northern mythology". ) > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, the poem Và ¸£à ¸–luspà ¸£à ¸Â. The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning (section> > 35) and Skà ¸£à ¸Âldskaparmà ¸£à ¸Âl (various kennings) > > > > ^ Saxo Grammaticus, "The Nine Books of the Danish History of Saxo> > Grammaticus", Oliver Elton transl. Norroena Society, New York (1905). > > > > ^ a b c d Schà ¸£à ¸–n, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jà ¸£à ¸„ttar i tro och> > tradition. Fà ¸£à ¸„lt & Hà ¸£à ¸„ssler, Và ¸£à ¸„rnamo. p. 227-228. > > > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gà ¸£à ¸–th, cited in Schà ¸£à ¸–n, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors> > hammare, Gudar och jà ¸£à ¸„ttar i tro och tradition. Fà ¸£à ¸„lt & Hà ¸£à ¸„ssler, Và ¸£à ¸„rnamo. p.> > 227-228.) > > > > ^ Translation provided by Wikipedia editors. > > > > ^ Jeep, . 'Medieval Germany: An Encyclopedia'. (2001) Routledge. p.112.> > ISBN 0-8240-7644-3 > > > > ^ us Diaconus, History of the Langobards, Book I, Chapter VIII. > > Foulke, transl. University of Pennsylvania (1907). > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Skà ¸£à ¸Âldskaparmà ¸£à ¸Âl (Section XX). > > > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London: Everyman> > ISBN 0-460-87616-3. > > > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guà ¸£à ¸Âni Jà ¸£à ¸"nsson's Edition. > > > > ^ Njà ¸£à ¸Âl's Saga or The Story of Burnt Njal > > > > ^ Anne Nissen Jaubert. Vikings, investigation into the secrecies of the> > Masters of the sea. Science and life nà ¸¢à ¸Â80 April 2004. National Institute of> > Preventive Archaeological Research. > > > > ^ Microsoft Encarta 2007, "Norwegian Forest Cats" > > > > ^ Snorri's Edda, I. A. Blackwell, transl. Foot notes. > > > > ^ a b c Statistics Denmark. For 2005, see: [5] > > > > ^ As per the Office for National Statistics' official website, viewable> > online here:[6] > > > > ^ a b Schà ¸£à ¸–n, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jà ¸£à ¸„ttar i tro och> > tradition. Fà ¸£à ¸„lt & Hà ¸£à ¸„ssler, Và ¸£à ¸„rnamo. p. 228. > > > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schà ¸£à ¸œtte. > > > > ^ Nà ¸£à ¸„sstrà ¸£à ¸–m, Britt-Mari. Freyja: the Great Goddess of the North. University> > of Lund, 1995. Harwich Port: Clock & Rose, 2003. ISBN 1-59386-019-6. > > > > ^ son, Hilda Ellis. (1998). Roles of the Northern Goddess, page 10.> > London: Routlege. > > > > ^ Grundy, , Freyja and Frigg, pages 56-67. > > > > ^ Nasstrom, Nà ¸£à ¸„sstrà ¸£à ¸–m. Freyja, a goddess with many names, pages 68-77. > > > > ^ Billington, & Green, Miranda (Eds.) (1996). The Concept of the> > Goddess. London: Routlege. > > > > ^ Welsh, Lynda. (2001). Goddess of the North, page 75. York Beach: Weiser> > Books. > > > > ^ son, Hilda Ellis. Roles of the Northern Goddess (1998). > > > > ^ Turville, Petre. E.O.G. Myth and Religion of the North: The Religion of> > Ancient Scandinavia. London: Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1964.> > > > [show] > > > > v à ¹‚â‚¬à ¸‚ d à ¹‚â‚¬à ¸‚ e> > > > Norse mythology and paganism> > > > > > > > Deities,> > > > heroes,> > > > and figuresà ¸£ï¿½sirBaldr à ¸¢à ¸— Bragi à ¸¢à ¸— Forseti à ¸¢à ¸— Dellingr à ¸¢à ¸— Freyr à ¸¢à ¸— Heimdallr à ¸¢à ¸—> > Hermà ¸£à ¸"à ¸£à ¸Âr à ¸¢à ¸— Hà ¸£à ¸–à ¸£à ¸Âr à ¸¢à ¸— Hà ¸¥"nir à ¸¢à ¸— Loki à ¸¢à ¸— Meili à ¸¢à ¸— Là ¸£à ¸"à ¸£à ¸Âurr à ¸¢à ¸— Mà ¸£à ¸Âmir à ¸¢à ¸— Njà ¸£à ¸–rà ¸£à ¸Âr à ¸¢à ¸— à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âinn à ¸¢à ¸—> > à ¸£"à ¸£à ¸Âr à ¸¢à ¸— à ¸£ï¿½à ¸£à ¸"rr à ¸¢à ¸— Tà ¸£à ¸Âr à ¸¢à ¸— Ullr à ¸¢à ¸— Và ¸£à ¸Âli à ¸¢à ¸— Và ¸£à ¸Âà ¸£à ¸Âarr à ¸¢à ¸— Vili and Và ¸£à ¸‰> > > > > > > > à ¸£ï¿½synjurBil à ¸¢à ¸— Eir à ¸¢à ¸— Freyja à ¸¢à ¸— Frigg à ¸¢à ¸— Fulla à ¸¢à ¸— Gerà ¸£à ¸Âr à ¸¢à ¸— Gefjon à ¸¢à ¸— Gnà ¸£à ¸ à ¸¢à ¸— Hlà ¸£à ¸Ân à ¸¢à ¸—> > Ilmr à ¸¢à ¸— Ià ¸£à ¸Âunn à ¸¢à ¸— Irpa à ¸¢à ¸— Lofn à ¸¢à ¸— Nanna à ¸¢à ¸— Njà ¸£à ¸–run à ¸¢à ¸— Rà ¸£à ¸Ân à ¸¢à ¸— Rindr à ¸¢à ¸— Sà ¸£à ¸Âga à ¸¢à ¸— Sif à ¸¢à ¸—> > Sigyn à ¸¢à ¸— Sjà ¸£à ¸–fn à ¸¢à ¸— Skaà ¸£à ¸Âi à ¸¢à ¸— Snotra à ¸¢à ¸— Sà ¸£à ¸"l à ¸¢à ¸— Syn à ¸¢à ¸— à ¸£ï¿½orgerà ¸£à ¸Âr Hà ¸£à ¸–lgabrà ¸£à ¸šà ¸£à ¸Âr à ¸¢à ¸— à ¸£ï¿½rà ¸£à ¸šà ¸£à ¸Âr à ¸¢à ¸—> > Và ¸£à ¸Âr à ¸¢à ¸— Và ¸£à ¸–r> > > > > > > > OthersAsk and Embla à ¸¢à ¸— Dà ¸£à ¸Âs (Norns à ¸¢à ¸— Valkyries) à ¸¢à ¸— Dwarves à ¸¢à ¸— Einherjar à ¸¢à ¸— Elves> > (Light elves à ¸¢à ¸— Dark elves) à ¸¢à ¸— Fenrir à ¸¢à ¸— Hel à ¸¢à ¸— Jà ¸£à ¸–rmungandr à ¸¢à ¸— Giants à ¸¢à ¸— Sigurd à ¸¢à ¸—> > Trolls à ¸¢à ¸— Và ¸£à ¸–lundr> > > > > > > > > > > > LocationsAsgard à ¸¢à ¸— Bifrà ¸£à ¸–st à ¸¢à ¸— Fà ¸£à ¸"lkvangr à ¸¢à ¸— Ginnungagap à ¸¢à ¸— Hel à ¸¢à ¸— Midgard à ¸¢à ¸—> > Mà ¸£à ¸šspellsheimr à ¸¢à ¸— Niflheim à ¸¢à ¸— Valhalla à ¸¢à ¸— Và ¸£à ¸Âgrà ¸£à ¸Âà ¸£à ¸Âr à ¸¢à ¸— Wells (Mà ¸£à ¸Âmisbrunnr à ¸¢à ¸—> > Hvergelmir à ¸¢à ¸— Urà ¸£à ¸Âarbrunnr) à ¸¢à ¸— Yggdrasil> > > > > > > > Eventsà ¸£ï¿½sirà ¹‚€"Vanir Warà ¹‚€� à ¸¢à ¸— Fimbulvetr à ¸¢à ¸— Ragnarà ¸£à ¸–k> > > > > > > > SourcesGesta Danorum à ¸¢à ¸— Poetic Edda à ¸¢à ¸— Prose Edda à ¸¢à ¸— Runestones à ¸¢à ¸— Sagas à ¸¢à ¸—> > Tyrfing Cycle à ¸¢à ¸— Và ¸£à ¸–lsung Cycle à ¸¢à ¸— Old Norse language à ¸¢à ¸— Orthography à ¸¢à ¸— Later> > influence> > > > > > > > SocietyBlà ¸£à ¸"t à ¸¢à ¸— Fà ¸£à ¸‰lag à ¸¢à ¸— Germanic calendar à ¸¢à ¸— Heiti à ¸¢à ¸— Hà ¸£à ¸–rgr à ¸¢à ¸— Kenning à ¸¢à ¸— Mead> > hall à ¸¢à ¸— Nà ¸¤à ¸‹à ¸£à ¸ž à ¸¢à ¸— Norse pagan worship à ¸¢à ¸— Numbers à ¸¢à ¸— Runic calendar à ¸¢à ¸— Seià ¸£à ¸Âr à ¸¢à ¸— Skald > > à ¸¢à ¸— Viking Age à ¸¢à ¸— Và ¸£à ¸–lva> > > > > > > > OriginsGermanic paganism à ¸¢à ¸— Proto-Indo-European religion> > > > > > > > See alsoNorse gods à ¸¢à ¸— Mythological Norse people, items and places à ¸¢à ¸— à ¸£ï¿½satrà ¸£à ¸š> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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