Re: Reb, and the lousy gift......More lousy gifts

[Guest guest]

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 ร"รà¸r, each people gave her a different name".)[21] In> > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sรà¸r (Latinized as> > Syritha) seeking for ร"รà¸r/ร"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 Iรà¸unn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and forced him to> > lure Iรà¸unn out to kidnap her along with the golden apples. Without the> > apples of youth, the gods grew old and they soon found out that Iรà¸unn 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 Iรà¸unn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form, but he was> > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaรà¸i, who later became Freyr> > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaรà¸i's march to Asgard for vengeance ended in a> > marriage with Njรถrรà¸r. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 ร�jรà¸lfi, 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. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (17))> > > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the ร�sir, 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 Hรถdr 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:> > > > "Dรà¸"ttir Njarรà¸ar var Freyja, hon var blรà¸"tgyรà¸ja, ok hon kendi fyrst meรภร�sum> > seiรà¸, sem Vรถnum var tรà¸tt. ร�รภer Njรถrรà¸r var meรภVรถnum, รพรภhafรà¸i hann รà¸tta> > systr sรà¸na รพvรภat รพat vรà¸ru รพar lรถg; vรà¸ru รพeirra bรถrn Freyr ok Freyja. En รพat> > var bannat meรภร�sum at byggja svรภnรà¸it at frรฆndsemi.""Njรถrรà¸r's daughter> > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the ร�sir the magic> > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While Njรถrรà¸r 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 ร�sir it was> > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations."> > > > > > > > After the deaths of Odin, Njรถrรà¸r, and Freyr:> > > > "Freyja hรฉlt รพรภupp blรà¸"tum, รพvรภat hon ein lifรà¸i รพรภeptir goรà¸anna, ok varรà¸> > hon รพรภhin frรฆgsta, svรภat meรภhennar nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,> > svรภsem nรบ heita frรบvor. Svรภheitir ok hver freyja yfir sinni eign, en sรบ> > hรบsfreyja, er bรบ รà¸. Freyja var heldr marglynd; ร"รà¸r hรฉt bรà¸"ndi hennar, dรฆtr> > hennar hรฉtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; รพรฆr vรà¸ru fagrar mjรถg: af รพeirra nafni eru svรà¸> > kallaรà¸ir hinir dรà¸rstu 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 Frรบ (Frau in German); so> > that every woman is called frรบ (frau in German), or mistress over her> > property, and the wife is called the house-Frรบ (Ehefrau in German). Freyja> > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her> > husband was called ร"รà¸r, 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 Hรฅkon 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, Njรถrรà¸r'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 ร�orgerรà¸r 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 Hรà¸lfs 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 ร"รà¸r:> > > > Freyja one day > > > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away. > > > > Northward and southward she sought her > > > > Dearly-loved Oder.> > > > According to Njรà¸ls 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. Hallfreรà¸r vandrรฆรà¸askรà¸ld, 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] Flateyjarbรà¸"k> > > > Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr is a short story in the later and extended version of the Saga> > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbรà¸"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> > Hรบsdrรà¸pa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen), and the eternal battle> > Hjaรà¸ningavรà¸g. In the end of the story, the arrival of Christianity dissolves> > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarรถk.> > > > "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 Hรถgni and king Heรà¸inn 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 Flateyjarbรà¸"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 Hรถgni and Heรà¸inn is recorded in the skaldic poem Ragnarsdrรà¸pa> > and in Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (section 49): king Hรถgni's daughter, Hildr, is> > kidnapped by king Heรà¸inn. When Hรถgni comes to fight Heรà¸inn on an island,> > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of Heรà¸inn for peace;> > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to make them> > fight until Ragnarรถk.[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> > Brรà¸singamen is recorded in the skaldic poem Hรบsdrรà¸pa and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l of> > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brรà¸singamen, Heimdall contends with Loki> > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brรà¸singamen 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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l, Freyja is the wife of ร"รà¸r,[37] not a concubine of Odin.> > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist in any> > sources beside Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr, 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 Hรถรà¸r (Hรธtherus) 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 Sรà¸r (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for marriage by a giant,> > and she travelled seeking for ร"รà¸r (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 Smรฅland,> > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning in this> > respect:[39]> > > > Jag minns en sรถndag pรฅ 1880-talet, det var nรฅgra gubbar ute och gick bland> > รฅkrarna och tittade pรฅ rรฅgen som snart var mogen. Dรฅ sa Mรฅns i Karryd: "Nu รค> > Frรถa ute รฅ sir รคtter om rรฅjen รคr mogen." [...] Nรคr jag som liten pojke satt> > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dรฅtida barn mycket rรคdd fรถr> > รฅskan. Nรคr kornblixtarna syntes om kvรคllarna, sade Katrina: "Du sa inte va> > rรคdd barn lella, dรค รค bara Frรถa som รค ute รฅ slรฅr ell med stรฅl รฅ flenta fรถr รฅ> > si etter om kornet รค moet. Ho รค snรคll ve folk รฅ gรถr dรค bare fรถr รฅ hjรคlpa, ho> > gรถr inte som Tor, han slรฅr ihjรคl bรฅde folk รฅ fรค, nรคr han lynna [...] Jag har> > sedan hรถrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pรฅ ungefรคr samma sรคtt.[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 Mรฅns 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 Vรคrend, 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: Frฤซge> > > > 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 Frรฎia or Frรปa (Frรà¸"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 Njรถrรà¸r, 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 Grรà¸mnismรà¸l:> > > > The ninth is Fรà¸"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 (ร�orgerรà¸r), 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 ร"รà¸al property, explains that Odin's> > warriors are "the offensive," or those who dedicate their life to fighting.> > Freyjaโ€�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] Brรà¸singamen> > > > Main article: Brรà¸singamen> > > > Brรà¸singamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of gold and amber,> > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings, Brรà¸singamen is> > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Blommรฉr.> > > > 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 Hyndluljรà¸"รà¸. Later we are told that the boar> > is her protรฉgรฉ, ร"ttar, but it seems that ร"ttar was temporarily disguised as> > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is ร"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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 > > > > Frรธya, Frรถa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form. > > > > Frรถe - a Danish form > > > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as the fair sun> > "den vรคna solen" (Vana: from "Vanir", means beautiful[50]) > > > > Friia, Frฤซa - second Merseburg Charm > > > > Frija - variant of Friia > > > > Freija - Finnish form> > > > [edit] Other forms> > > > > > > > > > > > Hรคrnevi which means "Hรถrn'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:> > > > Vanadรà¸s, which means "Dรà¸s of the Vanir" or "fair goddess" (vรคna means> > beautiful); > > > > Mardรถll, which means "sea-bright" (mar: "sea", dรถll: feminine of dallr > > bright light", cf. Heimdallr); > > > > Hรถrn, which may be related to the word hรถrr meaning "flax", "linen"; > > > > Gefn, which means "the giver", is a suitable name for a fertility goddess; > > > > Sรà¸r, 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. Valfaรà¸ir > > 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> > > > Rรà¸"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 Mardรถll:> > > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings, > > > > The Tear of Mardรถll 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 Mardรถll, > > > > Fire-flame of ร"run, > > > > Idi's fine Speeches.> > > > Gold is called Tears of ร"รà¸r's Bride:> > > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice, > > > > With tear-gold is unminished, > > > > The Eye-rain of ร"รà¸r's Bride: > > > > His age the King so useth.> > > > Jewel is called Child of Hรถrn:> > > > Hรถrn'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 Frรà¸"di's seed-gold's fostering.> > > > Gem is called Child of Njรถrรà¸r's Daughter:> > > > A defence of songs full goodly > > > > He freely gave me, neighbor > > > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly > > > > Njรถrรà¸r'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 Frรธy- as the first element in their names, and the> > most common are the name Frรธyland (13 farms). But whether Frรธy- in these> > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is questionable> > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frรธyjuhof, 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,> > Frรธyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjรธrdal. There are also two> > islands named Frรธya in Norway.> > > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies the farm> > Ryland (Norse Rรà¸gjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rรà¸gr > > 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 ร�รà¸"rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible that rรà¸gr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rรà¸gja) 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 frigedรฆg, 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 Freyjaโ€"such as> > Frฤซatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German, Freyjudagr in Old> > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danishโ€"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> > Vanadรà¸s. 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 Njรถrรà¸r through etymological connections. The first> > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter. Njรถrรà¸r 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 Nรคsstrรถm 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 Walkรผre, Siegfried, and Gรถtterdรคmmerung. 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 ร�sir, 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 Vรถluspรà¸, is> > another name for Freyja.> > > > [edit] See also> > > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja > > > > > > > > Blรà¸"t > > > > Hรถrgr > > > > 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 Sรธrensen, P. (1998): Mรคnniskor och makter i> > vikingarnas vรคrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72 > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrรบnargrรà¸tr. Undersรถkningar i Germanisk Mythologi by> > Viktor Eydberg (1889) > > > > ^ Saga of Hรฅkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition by Ebbe Schรถn. > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda, Grรà¸mnismรà¸l. > > > > ^ 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, > > Nordmรฆndenes 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 Sรฆmundar Hinns Froรà¸a: The> > Edda Of Sรฆmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trรผbner & 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. "Fรคdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers' Godsagas) (1887).> > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978-4 > > > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vรคrldens 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 Bjรถrnsson'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). > > > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 sรถgur > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,> > Foresman & Co. (1901). > > > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book. Norrรฆna> > Society, London (1908). > > > > ^ This short story is also known as "The Saga of Hรถgni 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 Vรถluspรà¸. The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning (section> > 35) and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 227-228. > > > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gรถth, cited in Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors> > hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. 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, Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (Section XX). > > > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London: Everyman> > ISBN 0-460-87616-3. > > > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guรà¸ni Jรà¸"nsson's Edition. > > > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 nยà¸80 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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 228. > > > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schรผtte. > > > > ^ Nรคsstrรถm, 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, Nรคsstrรถm. 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 โ€ข d โ€ข e> > > > Norse mythology and paganism> > > > > > > > Deities,> > > > heroes,> > > > and figuresร�sirBaldr ยท Bragi ยท Forseti ยท Dellingr ยท Freyr ยท Heimdallr ยท> > Hermรà¸"รà¸r ยท Hรถรà¸r ยท Hล"nir ยท Loki ยท Meili ยท Lรà¸"รà¸urr ยท Mรà¸mir ยท Njรถrรà¸r ยท ร"รà¸inn ยท> > ร"รà¸r ยท ร�รà¸"rr ยท Tรà¸r ยท Ullr ยท Vรà¸li ยท Vรà¸à¸£à¸arr ยท Vili and Vรฉ> > > > > > > > ร�synjurBil ยท Eir ยท Freyja ยท Frigg ยท Fulla ยท Gerรà¸r ยท Gefjon ยท Gnรภยท Hlรà¸n ยท> > Ilmr ยท Iรà¸unn ยท Irpa ยท Lofn ยท Nanna ยท Njรถrun ยท Rรà¸n ยท Rindr ยท Sรà¸ga ยท Sif ยท> > Sigyn ยท Sjรถfn ยท Skaรà¸i ยท Snotra ยท Sรà¸"l ยท Syn ยท ร�orgerรà¸r Hรถlgabrรบรà¸r ยท ร�rรบรà¸r ยท> > Vรà¸r ยท Vรถr> > > > > > > > OthersAsk and Embla ยท Dรà¸s (Norns ยท Valkyries) ยท Dwarves ยท Einherjar ยท Elves> > (Light elves ยท Dark elves) ยท Fenrir ยท Hel ยท Jรถrmungandr ยท Giants ยท Sigurd ยท> > Trolls ยท Vรถlundr> > > > > > > > > > > > LocationsAsgard ยท Bifrรถst ยท Fรà¸"lkvangr ยท Ginnungagap ยท Hel ยท Midgard ยท> > Mรบspellsheimr ยท Niflheim ยท Valhalla ยท Vรà¸grรà¸à¸£à¸r ยท Wells (Mรà¸misbrunnr ยท> > Hvergelmir ยท Urรà¸arbrunnr) ยท Yggdrasil> > > > > > > > Eventsร�sirโ€"Vanir Warโ€� ยท Fimbulvetr ยท Ragnarรถk> > > > > > > > SourcesGesta Danorum ยท Poetic Edda ยท Prose Edda ยท Runestones ยท Sagas ยท> > Tyrfing Cycle ยท Vรถlsung Cycle ยท Old Norse language ยท Orthography ยท Later> > influence> > > > > > > > SocietyBlรà¸"t ยท Fรฉlag ยท Germanic calendar ยท Heiti ยท Hรถrgr ยท Kenning ยท Mead> > hall ยท Nฤซรพ ยท Norse pagan worship ยท Numbers ยท Runic calendar ยท Seiรà¸r ยท Skald > > ยท Viking Age ยท Vรถlva> > > > > > > > OriginsGermanic paganism ยท Proto-Indo-European religion> > > > > > > > See alsoNorse gods ยท Mythological Norse people, items and places ยท ร�satrรบ> >>

[Guest guest]

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 ร"รà¸r, each people gave her a different name".)[21] In> > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sรà¸r (Latinized as> > Syritha) seeking for ร"รà¸r/ร"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 Iรà¸unn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and forced him to> > lure Iรà¸unn out to kidnap her along with the golden apples. Without the> > apples of youth, the gods grew old and they soon found out that Iรà¸unn 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 Iรà¸unn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form, but he was> > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaรà¸i, who later became Freyr> > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaรà¸i's march to Asgard for vengeance ended in a> > marriage with Njรถrรà¸r. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 ร�jรà¸lfi, 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. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (17))> > > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the ร�sir, 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 Hรถdr 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:> > > > "Dรà¸"ttir Njarรà¸ar var Freyja, hon var blรà¸"tgyรà¸ja, ok hon kendi fyrst meรภร�sum> > seiรà¸, sem Vรถnum var tรà¸tt. ร�รภer Njรถrรà¸r var meรภVรถnum, รพรภhafรà¸i hann รà¸tta> > systr sรà¸na รพvรภat รพat vรà¸ru รพar lรถg; vรà¸ru รพeirra bรถrn Freyr ok Freyja. En รพat> > var bannat meรภร�sum at byggja svรภnรà¸it at frรฆndsemi.""Njรถrรà¸r's daughter> > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the ร�sir the magic> > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While Njรถrรà¸r 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 ร�sir it was> > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations."> > > > > > > > After the deaths of Odin, Njรถrรà¸r, and Freyr:> > > > "Freyja hรฉlt รพรภupp blรà¸"tum, รพvรภat hon ein lifรà¸i รพรภeptir goรà¸anna, ok varรà¸> > hon รพรภhin frรฆgsta, svรภat meรภhennar nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,> > svรภsem nรบ heita frรบvor. Svรภheitir ok hver freyja yfir sinni eign, en sรบ> > hรบsfreyja, er bรบ รà¸. Freyja var heldr marglynd; ร"รà¸r hรฉt bรà¸"ndi hennar, dรฆtr> > hennar hรฉtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; รพรฆr vรà¸ru fagrar mjรถg: af รพeirra nafni eru svรà¸> > kallaรà¸ir hinir dรà¸rstu 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 Frรบ (Frau in German); so> > that every woman is called frรบ (frau in German), or mistress over her> > property, and the wife is called the house-Frรบ (Ehefrau in German). Freyja> > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her> > husband was called ร"รà¸r, 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 Hรฅkon 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, Njรถrรà¸r'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 ร�orgerรà¸r 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 Hรà¸lfs 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 ร"รà¸r:> > > > Freyja one day > > > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away. > > > > Northward and southward she sought her > > > > Dearly-loved Oder.> > > > According to Njรà¸ls 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. Hallfreรà¸r vandrรฆรà¸askรà¸ld, 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] Flateyjarbรà¸"k> > > > Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr is a short story in the later and extended version of the Saga> > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbรà¸"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> > Hรบsdrรà¸pa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen), and the eternal battle> > Hjaรà¸ningavรà¸g. In the end of the story, the arrival of Christianity dissolves> > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarรถk.> > > > "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 Hรถgni and king Heรà¸inn 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 Flateyjarbรà¸"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 Hรถgni and Heรà¸inn is recorded in the skaldic poem Ragnarsdrรà¸pa> > and in Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (section 49): king Hรถgni's daughter, Hildr, is> > kidnapped by king Heรà¸inn. When Hรถgni comes to fight Heรà¸inn on an island,> > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of Heรà¸inn for peace;> > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to make them> > fight until Ragnarรถk.[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> > Brรà¸singamen is recorded in the skaldic poem Hรบsdrรà¸pa and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l of> > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brรà¸singamen, Heimdall contends with Loki> > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brรà¸singamen 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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l, Freyja is the wife of ร"รà¸r,[37] not a concubine of Odin.> > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist in any> > sources beside Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr, 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 Hรถรà¸r (Hรธtherus) 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 Sรà¸r (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for marriage by a giant,> > and she travelled seeking for ร"รà¸r (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 Smรฅland,> > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning in this> > respect:[39]> > > > Jag minns en sรถndag pรฅ 1880-talet, det var nรฅgra gubbar ute och gick bland> > รฅkrarna och tittade pรฅ rรฅgen som snart var mogen. Dรฅ sa Mรฅns i Karryd: "Nu รค> > Frรถa ute รฅ sir รคtter om rรฅjen รคr mogen." [...] Nรคr jag som liten pojke satt> > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dรฅtida barn mycket rรคdd fรถr> > รฅskan. Nรคr kornblixtarna syntes om kvรคllarna, sade Katrina: "Du sa inte va> > rรคdd barn lella, dรค รค bara Frรถa som รค ute รฅ slรฅr ell med stรฅl รฅ flenta fรถr รฅ> > si etter om kornet รค moet. Ho รค snรคll ve folk รฅ gรถr dรค bare fรถr รฅ hjรคlpa, ho> > gรถr inte som Tor, han slรฅr ihjรคl bรฅde folk รฅ fรค, nรคr han lynna [...] Jag har> > sedan hรถrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pรฅ ungefรคr samma sรคtt.[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 Mรฅns 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 Vรคrend, 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: Frฤซge> > > > 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 Frรฎia or Frรปa (Frรà¸"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 Njรถrรà¸r, 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 Grรà¸mnismรà¸l:> > > > The ninth is Fรà¸"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 (ร�orgerรà¸r), 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 ร"รà¸al property, explains that Odin's> > warriors are "the offensive," or those who dedicate their life to fighting.> > Freyjaโ€�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] Brรà¸singamen> > > > Main article: Brรà¸singamen> > > > Brรà¸singamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of gold and amber,> > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings, Brรà¸singamen is> > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Blommรฉr.> > > > 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 Hyndluljรà¸"รà¸. Later we are told that the boar> > is her protรฉgรฉ, ร"ttar, but it seems that ร"ttar was temporarily disguised as> > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is ร"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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 > > > > Frรธya, Frรถa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form. > > > > Frรถe - a Danish form > > > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as the fair sun> > "den vรคna solen" (Vana: from "Vanir", means beautiful[50]) > > > > Friia, Frฤซa - second Merseburg Charm > > > > Frija - variant of Friia > > > > Freija - Finnish form> > > > [edit] Other forms> > > > > > > > > > > > Hรคrnevi which means "Hรถrn'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:> > > > Vanadรà¸s, which means "Dรà¸s of the Vanir" or "fair goddess" (vรคna means> > beautiful); > > > > Mardรถll, which means "sea-bright" (mar: "sea", dรถll: feminine of dallr > > bright light", cf. Heimdallr); > > > > Hรถrn, which may be related to the word hรถrr meaning "flax", "linen"; > > > > Gefn, which means "the giver", is a suitable name for a fertility goddess; > > > > Sรà¸r, 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. Valfaรà¸ir > > 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> > > > Rรà¸"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 Mardรถll:> > > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings, > > > > The Tear of Mardรถll 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 Mardรถll, > > > > Fire-flame of ร"run, > > > > Idi's fine Speeches.> > > > Gold is called Tears of ร"รà¸r's Bride:> > > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice, > > > > With tear-gold is unminished, > > > > The Eye-rain of ร"รà¸r's Bride: > > > > His age the King so useth.> > > > Jewel is called Child of Hรถrn:> > > > Hรถrn'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 Frรà¸"di's seed-gold's fostering.> > > > Gem is called Child of Njรถrรà¸r's Daughter:> > > > A defence of songs full goodly > > > > He freely gave me, neighbor > > > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly > > > > Njรถrรà¸r'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 Frรธy- as the first element in their names, and the> > most common are the name Frรธyland (13 farms). But whether Frรธy- in these> > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is questionable> > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frรธyjuhof, 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,> > Frรธyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjรธrdal. There are also two> > islands named Frรธya in Norway.> > > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies the farm> > Ryland (Norse Rรà¸gjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rรà¸gr > > 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 ร�รà¸"rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible that rรà¸gr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rรà¸gja) 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 frigedรฆg, 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 Freyjaโ€"such as> > Frฤซatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German, Freyjudagr in Old> > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danishโ€"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> > Vanadรà¸s. 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 Njรถrรà¸r through etymological connections. The first> > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter. Njรถrรà¸r 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 Nรคsstrรถm 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 Walkรผre, Siegfried, and Gรถtterdรคmmerung. 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 ร�sir, 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 Vรถluspรà¸, is> > another name for Freyja.> > > > [edit] See also> > > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja > > > > > > > > Blรà¸"t > > > > Hรถrgr > > > > 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 Sรธrensen, P. (1998): Mรคnniskor och makter i> > vikingarnas vรคrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72 > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrรบnargrรà¸tr. Undersรถkningar i Germanisk Mythologi by> > Viktor Eydberg (1889) > > > > ^ Saga of Hรฅkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition by Ebbe Schรถn. > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda, Grรà¸mnismรà¸l. > > > > ^ 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, > > Nordmรฆndenes 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 Sรฆmundar Hinns Froรà¸a: The> > Edda Of Sรฆmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trรผbner & 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. "Fรคdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers' Godsagas) (1887).> > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978-4 > > > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vรคrldens 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 Bjรถrnsson'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). > > > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 sรถgur > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,> > Foresman & Co. (1901). > > > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book. Norrรฆna> > Society, London (1908). > > > > ^ This short story is also known as "The Saga of Hรถgni 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 Vรถluspรà¸. The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning (section> > 35) and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 227-228. > > > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gรถth, cited in Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors> > hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. 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, Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (Section XX). > > > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London: Everyman> > ISBN 0-460-87616-3. > > > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guรà¸ni Jรà¸"nsson's Edition. > > > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 nยà¸80 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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 228. > > > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schรผtte. > > > > ^ Nรคsstrรถm, 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, Nรคsstrรถm. 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 โ€ข d โ€ข e> > > > Norse mythology and paganism> > > > > > > > Deities,> > > > heroes,> > > > and figuresร�sirBaldr ยท Bragi ยท Forseti ยท Dellingr ยท Freyr ยท Heimdallr ยท> > Hermรà¸"รà¸r ยท Hรถรà¸r ยท Hล"nir ยท Loki ยท Meili ยท Lรà¸"รà¸urr ยท Mรà¸mir ยท Njรถrรà¸r ยท ร"รà¸inn ยท> > ร"รà¸r ยท ร�รà¸"rr ยท Tรà¸r ยท Ullr ยท Vรà¸li ยท Vรà¸à¸£à¸arr ยท Vili and Vรฉ> > > > > > > > ร�synjurBil ยท Eir ยท Freyja ยท Frigg ยท Fulla ยท Gerรà¸r ยท Gefjon ยท Gnรภยท Hlรà¸n ยท> > Ilmr ยท Iรà¸unn ยท Irpa ยท Lofn ยท Nanna ยท Njรถrun ยท Rรà¸n ยท Rindr ยท Sรà¸ga ยท Sif ยท> > Sigyn ยท Sjรถfn ยท Skaรà¸i ยท Snotra ยท Sรà¸"l ยท Syn ยท ร�orgerรà¸r Hรถlgabrรบรà¸r ยท ร�rรบรà¸r ยท> > Vรà¸r ยท Vรถr> > > > > > > > OthersAsk and Embla ยท Dรà¸s (Norns ยท Valkyries) ยท Dwarves ยท Einherjar ยท Elves> > (Light elves ยท Dark elves) ยท Fenrir ยท Hel ยท Jรถrmungandr ยท Giants ยท Sigurd ยท> > Trolls ยท Vรถlundr> > > > > > > > > > > > LocationsAsgard ยท Bifrรถst ยท Fรà¸"lkvangr ยท Ginnungagap ยท Hel ยท Midgard ยท> > Mรบspellsheimr ยท Niflheim ยท Valhalla ยท Vรà¸grรà¸à¸£à¸r ยท Wells (Mรà¸misbrunnr ยท> > Hvergelmir ยท Urรà¸arbrunnr) ยท Yggdrasil> > > > > > > > Eventsร�sirโ€"Vanir Warโ€� ยท Fimbulvetr ยท Ragnarรถk> > > > > > > > SourcesGesta Danorum ยท Poetic Edda ยท Prose Edda ยท Runestones ยท Sagas ยท> > Tyrfing Cycle ยท Vรถlsung Cycle ยท Old Norse language ยท Orthography ยท Later> > influence> > > > > > > > SocietyBlรà¸"t ยท Fรฉlag ยท Germanic calendar ยท Heiti ยท Hรถrgr ยท Kenning ยท Mead> > hall ยท Nฤซรพ ยท Norse pagan worship ยท Numbers ยท Runic calendar ยท Seiรà¸r ยท Skald > > ยท Viking Age ยท Vรถlva> > > > > > > > OriginsGermanic paganism ยท Proto-Indo-European religion> > > > > > > > See alsoNorse gods ยท Mythological Norse people, items and places ยท ร�satrรบ> >>

[Guest guest]

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 ร"รà¸r, each people gave her a different name".)[21] In> > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sรà¸r (Latinized as> > Syritha) seeking for ร"รà¸r/ร"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 Iรà¸unn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and forced him to> > lure Iรà¸unn out to kidnap her along with the golden apples. Without the> > apples of youth, the gods grew old and they soon found out that Iรà¸unn 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 Iรà¸unn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form, but he was> > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaรà¸i, who later became Freyr> > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaรà¸i's march to Asgard for vengeance ended in a> > marriage with Njรถrรà¸r. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 ร�jรà¸lfi, 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. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (17))> > > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the ร�sir, 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 Hรถdr 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:> > > > "Dรà¸"ttir Njarรà¸ar var Freyja, hon var blรà¸"tgyรà¸ja, ok hon kendi fyrst meรภร�sum> > seiรà¸, sem Vรถnum var tรà¸tt. ร�รภer Njรถrรà¸r var meรภVรถnum, รพรภhafรà¸i hann รà¸tta> > systr sรà¸na รพvรภat รพat vรà¸ru รพar lรถg; vรà¸ru รพeirra bรถrn Freyr ok Freyja. En รพat> > var bannat meรภร�sum at byggja svรภnรà¸it at frรฆndsemi.""Njรถrรà¸r's daughter> > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the ร�sir the magic> > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While Njรถrรà¸r 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 ร�sir it was> > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations."> > > > > > > > After the deaths of Odin, Njรถrรà¸r, and Freyr:> > > > "Freyja hรฉlt รพรภupp blรà¸"tum, รพvรภat hon ein lifรà¸i รพรภeptir goรà¸anna, ok varรà¸> > hon รพรภhin frรฆgsta, svรภat meรภhennar nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,> > svรภsem nรบ heita frรบvor. Svรภheitir ok hver freyja yfir sinni eign, en sรบ> > hรบsfreyja, er bรบ รà¸. Freyja var heldr marglynd; ร"รà¸r hรฉt bรà¸"ndi hennar, dรฆtr> > hennar hรฉtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; รพรฆr vรà¸ru fagrar mjรถg: af รพeirra nafni eru svรà¸> > kallaรà¸ir hinir dรà¸rstu 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 Frรบ (Frau in German); so> > that every woman is called frรบ (frau in German), or mistress over her> > property, and the wife is called the house-Frรบ (Ehefrau in German). Freyja> > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her> > husband was called ร"รà¸r, 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 Hรฅkon 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, Njรถrรà¸r'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 ร�orgerรà¸r 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 Hรà¸lfs 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 ร"รà¸r:> > > > Freyja one day > > > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away. > > > > Northward and southward she sought her > > > > Dearly-loved Oder.> > > > According to Njรà¸ls 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. Hallfreรà¸r vandrรฆรà¸askรà¸ld, 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] Flateyjarbรà¸"k> > > > Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr is a short story in the later and extended version of the Saga> > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbรà¸"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> > Hรบsdrรà¸pa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen), and the eternal battle> > Hjaรà¸ningavรà¸g. In the end of the story, the arrival of Christianity dissolves> > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarรถk.> > > > "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 Hรถgni and king Heรà¸inn 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 Flateyjarbรà¸"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 Hรถgni and Heรà¸inn is recorded in the skaldic poem Ragnarsdrรà¸pa> > and in Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (section 49): king Hรถgni's daughter, Hildr, is> > kidnapped by king Heรà¸inn. When Hรถgni comes to fight Heรà¸inn on an island,> > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of Heรà¸inn for peace;> > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to make them> > fight until Ragnarรถk.[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> > Brรà¸singamen is recorded in the skaldic poem Hรบsdrรà¸pa and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l of> > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brรà¸singamen, Heimdall contends with Loki> > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brรà¸singamen 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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l, Freyja is the wife of ร"รà¸r,[37] not a concubine of Odin.> > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist in any> > sources beside Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr, 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 Hรถรà¸r (Hรธtherus) 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 Sรà¸r (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for marriage by a giant,> > and she travelled seeking for ร"รà¸r (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 Smรฅland,> > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning in this> > respect:[39]> > > > Jag minns en sรถndag pรฅ 1880-talet, det var nรฅgra gubbar ute och gick bland> > รฅkrarna och tittade pรฅ rรฅgen som snart var mogen. Dรฅ sa Mรฅns i Karryd: "Nu รค> > Frรถa ute รฅ sir รคtter om rรฅjen รคr mogen." [...] Nรคr jag som liten pojke satt> > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dรฅtida barn mycket rรคdd fรถr> > รฅskan. Nรคr kornblixtarna syntes om kvรคllarna, sade Katrina: "Du sa inte va> > rรคdd barn lella, dรค รค bara Frรถa som รค ute รฅ slรฅr ell med stรฅl รฅ flenta fรถr รฅ> > si etter om kornet รค moet. Ho รค snรคll ve folk รฅ gรถr dรค bare fรถr รฅ hjรคlpa, ho> > gรถr inte som Tor, han slรฅr ihjรคl bรฅde folk รฅ fรค, nรคr han lynna [...] Jag har> > sedan hรถrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pรฅ ungefรคr samma sรคtt.[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 Mรฅns 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 Vรคrend, 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: Frฤซge> > > > 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 Frรฎia or Frรปa (Frรà¸"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 Njรถrรà¸r, 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 Grรà¸mnismรà¸l:> > > > The ninth is Fรà¸"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 (ร�orgerรà¸r), 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 ร"รà¸al property, explains that Odin's> > warriors are "the offensive," or those who dedicate their life to fighting.> > Freyjaโ€�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] Brรà¸singamen> > > > Main article: Brรà¸singamen> > > > Brรà¸singamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of gold and amber,> > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings, Brรà¸singamen is> > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Blommรฉr.> > > > 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 Hyndluljรà¸"รà¸. Later we are told that the boar> > is her protรฉgรฉ, ร"ttar, but it seems that ร"ttar was temporarily disguised as> > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is ร"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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 > > > > Frรธya, Frรถa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form. > > > > Frรถe - a Danish form > > > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as the fair sun> > "den vรคna solen" (Vana: from "Vanir", means beautiful[50]) > > > > Friia, Frฤซa - second Merseburg Charm > > > > Frija - variant of Friia > > > > Freija - Finnish form> > > > [edit] Other forms> > > > > > > > > > > > Hรคrnevi which means "Hรถrn'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:> > > > Vanadรà¸s, which means "Dรà¸s of the Vanir" or "fair goddess" (vรคna means> > beautiful); > > > > Mardรถll, which means "sea-bright" (mar: "sea", dรถll: feminine of dallr > > bright light", cf. Heimdallr); > > > > Hรถrn, which may be related to the word hรถrr meaning "flax", "linen"; > > > > Gefn, which means "the giver", is a suitable name for a fertility goddess; > > > > Sรà¸r, 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. Valfaรà¸ir > > 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> > > > Rรà¸"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 Mardรถll:> > > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings, > > > > The Tear of Mardรถll 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 Mardรถll, > > > > Fire-flame of ร"run, > > > > Idi's fine Speeches.> > > > Gold is called Tears of ร"รà¸r's Bride:> > > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice, > > > > With tear-gold is unminished, > > > > The Eye-rain of ร"รà¸r's Bride: > > > > His age the King so useth.> > > > Jewel is called Child of Hรถrn:> > > > Hรถrn'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 Frรà¸"di's seed-gold's fostering.> > > > Gem is called Child of Njรถrรà¸r's Daughter:> > > > A defence of songs full goodly > > > > He freely gave me, neighbor > > > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly > > > > Njรถrรà¸r'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 Frรธy- as the first element in their names, and the> > most common are the name Frรธyland (13 farms). But whether Frรธy- in these> > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is questionable> > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frรธyjuhof, 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,> > Frรธyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjรธrdal. There are also two> > islands named Frรธya in Norway.> > > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies the farm> > Ryland (Norse Rรà¸gjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rรà¸gr > > 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 ร�รà¸"rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible that rรà¸gr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rรà¸gja) 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 frigedรฆg, 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 Freyjaโ€"such as> > Frฤซatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German, Freyjudagr in Old> > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danishโ€"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> > Vanadรà¸s. 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 Njรถrรà¸r through etymological connections. The first> > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter. Njรถrรà¸r 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 Nรคsstrรถm 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 Walkรผre, Siegfried, and Gรถtterdรคmmerung. 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 ร�sir, 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 Vรถluspรà¸, is> > another name for Freyja.> > > > [edit] See also> > > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja > > > > > > > > Blรà¸"t > > > > Hรถrgr > > > > 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 Sรธrensen, P. (1998): Mรคnniskor och makter i> > vikingarnas vรคrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72 > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrรบnargrรà¸tr. Undersรถkningar i Germanisk Mythologi by> > Viktor Eydberg (1889) > > > > ^ Saga of Hรฅkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition by Ebbe Schรถn. > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda, Grรà¸mnismรà¸l. > > > > ^ 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, > > Nordmรฆndenes 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 Sรฆmundar Hinns Froรà¸a: The> > Edda Of Sรฆmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trรผbner & 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. "Fรคdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers' Godsagas) (1887).> > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978-4 > > > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vรคrldens 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 Bjรถrnsson'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). > > > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 sรถgur > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,> > Foresman & Co. (1901). > > > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book. Norrรฆna> > Society, London (1908). > > > > ^ This short story is also known as "The Saga of Hรถgni 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 Vรถluspรà¸. The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning (section> > 35) and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 227-228. > > > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gรถth, cited in Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors> > hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. 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, Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (Section XX). > > > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London: Everyman> > ISBN 0-460-87616-3. > > > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guรà¸ni Jรà¸"nsson's Edition. > > > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 nยà¸80 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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 228. > > > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schรผtte. > > > > ^ Nรคsstrรถm, 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, Nรคsstrรถm. 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 โ€ข d โ€ข e> > > > Norse mythology and paganism> > > > > > > > Deities,> > > > heroes,> > > > and figuresร�sirBaldr ยท Bragi ยท Forseti ยท Dellingr ยท Freyr ยท Heimdallr ยท> > Hermรà¸"รà¸r ยท Hรถรà¸r ยท Hล"nir ยท Loki ยท Meili ยท Lรà¸"รà¸urr ยท Mรà¸mir ยท Njรถrรà¸r ยท ร"รà¸inn ยท> > ร"รà¸r ยท ร�รà¸"rr ยท Tรà¸r ยท Ullr ยท Vรà¸li ยท Vรà¸à¸£à¸arr ยท Vili and Vรฉ> > > > > > > > ร�synjurBil ยท Eir ยท Freyja ยท Frigg ยท Fulla ยท Gerรà¸r ยท Gefjon ยท Gnรภยท Hlรà¸n ยท> > Ilmr ยท Iรà¸unn ยท Irpa ยท Lofn ยท Nanna ยท Njรถrun ยท Rรà¸n ยท Rindr ยท Sรà¸ga ยท Sif ยท> > Sigyn ยท Sjรถfn ยท Skaรà¸i ยท Snotra ยท Sรà¸"l ยท Syn ยท ร�orgerรà¸r Hรถlgabrรบรà¸r ยท ร�rรบรà¸r ยท> > Vรà¸r ยท Vรถr> > > > > > > > OthersAsk and Embla ยท Dรà¸s (Norns ยท Valkyries) ยท Dwarves ยท Einherjar ยท Elves> > (Light elves ยท Dark elves) ยท Fenrir ยท Hel ยท Jรถrmungandr ยท Giants ยท Sigurd ยท> > Trolls ยท Vรถlundr> > > > > > > > > > > > LocationsAsgard ยท Bifrรถst ยท Fรà¸"lkvangr ยท Ginnungagap ยท Hel ยท Midgard ยท> > Mรบspellsheimr ยท Niflheim ยท Valhalla ยท Vรà¸grรà¸à¸£à¸r ยท Wells (Mรà¸misbrunnr ยท> > Hvergelmir ยท Urรà¸arbrunnr) ยท Yggdrasil> > > > > > > > Eventsร�sirโ€"Vanir Warโ€� ยท Fimbulvetr ยท Ragnarรถk> > > > > > > > SourcesGesta Danorum ยท Poetic Edda ยท Prose Edda ยท Runestones ยท Sagas ยท> > Tyrfing Cycle ยท Vรถlsung Cycle ยท Old Norse language ยท Orthography ยท Later> > influence> > > > > > > > SocietyBlรà¸"t ยท Fรฉlag ยท Germanic calendar ยท Heiti ยท Hรถrgr ยท Kenning ยท Mead> > hall ยท Nฤซรพ ยท Norse pagan worship ยท Numbers ยท Runic calendar ยท Seiรà¸r ยท Skald > > ยท Viking Age ยท Vรถlva> > > > > > > > OriginsGermanic paganism ยท Proto-Indo-European religion> > > > > > > > See alsoNorse gods ยท Mythological Norse people, items and places ยท ร�satrรบ> >>

[Guest guest]

How horrible Reb. I will keep everyone in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

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-----Original Message-----From: reb_41se@...Sent: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:09:52 -0000To: mserslife Subject: 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 ร"รà¸Âr, each people gave her a different name".)[21] In> > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sรà¸Âr (Latinized as> > Syritha) seeking for ร"รà¸Âr/ร"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 Iรà¸Âunn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and forced him to> > lure Iรà¸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 Iรà¸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 Iรà¸Âunn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form, but he was> > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaรà¸Âi, who later became Freyr> > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaรà¸Âi's march to Asgard for vengeance ended in a> > marriage with Njรถrรà¸Âr. (Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 ร�jรà¸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. (Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl (17))> > > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the ร�sir, 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 Hรถdr 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:> > > > "Dรà¸"ttir Njarรà¸Âar var Freyja, hon var blรà¸"tgyรà¸Âja, ok hon kendi fyrst meรภร�sum> > seiรà¸Â, sem Vรถnum var tรà¸Âtt. ร�รภer Njรถrรà¸Âr var meรภVรถnum, รพรภhafรà¸Âi hann รà¸Âtta> > systr sรà¸Âna รพvรภat รพat vรà¸Âru รพar lรถg; vรà¸Âru รพeirra bรถrn Freyr ok Freyja. En รพat> > var bannat meรภร�sum at byggja svรภnรà¸Âit at frรฆndsemi.""Njรถrรà¸Âr's daughter> > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the ร�sir the magic> > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While Njรถrรà¸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 ร�sir it was> > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations."> > > > > > > > After the deaths of Odin, Njรถrรà¸Âr, and Freyr:> > > > "Freyja hรฉlt รพรภupp blรà¸"tum, รพvรภat hon ein lifรà¸Âi รพรภeptir goรà¸Âanna, ok varรà¸Â> > hon รพรภhin frรฆgsta, svรภat meรภhennar nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,> > svรภsem nรบ heita frรบvor. Svรภheitir ok hver freyja yfir sinni eign, en sรบ> > hรบsfreyja, er bรบ รà¸Â. Freyja var heldr marglynd; ร"รà¸Âr hรฉt bรà¸"ndi hennar, dรฆtr> > hennar hรฉtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; รพรฆr vรà¸Âru fagrar mjรถg: af รพeirra nafni eru svรà¸Â> > kallaรà¸Âir hinir dรà¸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 Frรบ (Frau in German); so> > that every woman is called frรบ (frau in German), or mistress over her> > property, and the wife is called the house-Frรบ (Ehefrau in German). Freyja> > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her> > husband was called ร"รà¸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 Hรฅkon 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, Njรถrรà¸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 ร�orgerรà¸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 Hรà¸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 ร"รà¸Âr:> > > > Freyja one day > > > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away. > > > > Northward and southward she sought her > > > > Dearly-loved Oder.> > > > According to Njรà¸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. Hallfreรà¸Âr vandrรฆรà¸Âaskรà¸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] Flateyjarbรà¸"k> > > > Sรถrla รพรà¸Âttr is a short story in the later and extended version of the Saga> > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbรà¸"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> > Hรบsdrรà¸Âpa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen), and the eternal battle> > Hjaรà¸Âningavรà¸Âg. In the end of the story, the arrival of Christianity dissolves> > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarรถk.> > > > "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 Hรถgni and king Heรà¸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 Flateyjarbรà¸"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 Hรถgni and Heรà¸Âinn is recorded in the skaldic poem Ragnarsdrรà¸Âpa> > and in Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl (section 49): king Hรถgni's daughter, Hildr, is> > kidnapped by king Heรà¸Âinn. When Hรถgni comes to fight Heรà¸Âinn on an island,> > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of Heรà¸Âinn for peace;> > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to make them> > fight until Ragnarรถk.[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> > Brรà¸Âsingamen is recorded in the skaldic poem Hรบsdrรà¸Âpa and Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl of> > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brรà¸Âsingamen, Heimdall contends with Loki> > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brรà¸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 Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl, Freyja is the wife of ร"รà¸Âr,[37] not a concubine of Odin.> > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist in any> > sources beside Sรถrla รพรà¸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 Hรถรà¸Âr (Hรธtherus) 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 Sรà¸Âr (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for marriage by a giant,> > and she travelled seeking for ร"รà¸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 Smรฅland,> > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning in this> > respect:[39]> > > > Jag minns en sรถndag pรฅ 1880-talet, det var nรฅgra gubbar ute och gick bland> > รฅkrarna och tittade pรฅ rรฅgen som snart var mogen. Dรฅ sa Mรฅns i Karryd: "Nu รค> > Frรถa ute รฅ sir รคtter om rรฅjen รคr mogen." [...] Nรคr jag som liten pojke satt> > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dรฅtida barn mycket rรคdd fรถr> > รฅskan. Nรคr kornblixtarna syntes om kvรคllarna, sade Katrina: "Du sa inte va> > rรคdd barn lella, dรค รค bara Frรถa som รค ute รฅ slรฅr ell med stรฅl รฅ flenta fรถr รฅ> > si etter om kornet รค moet. Ho รค snรคll ve folk รฅ gรถr dรค bare fรถr รฅ hjรคlpa, ho> > gรถr inte som Tor, han slรฅr ihjรคl bรฅde folk รฅ fรค, nรคr han lynna [...] Jag har> > sedan hรถrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pรฅ ungefรคr samma sรคtt.[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 Mรฅns 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 Vรคrend, 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: Frฤซge> > > > 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 Frรฎia or Frรปa (Frรà¸"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 Njรถrรà¸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 Grรà¸Âmnismรà¸Âl:> > > > The ninth is Fรà¸"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 (ร�orgerรà¸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 ร"รà¸Âal property, explains that Odin's> > warriors are "the offensive," or those who dedicate their life to fighting.> > Freyjaโ€�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] Brรà¸Âsingamen> > > > Main article: Brรà¸Âsingamen> > > > Brรà¸Âsingamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of gold and amber,> > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings, Brรà¸Âsingamen is> > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 Blommรฉr.> > > > 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 Hyndluljรà¸"รà¸Â. Later we are told that the boar> > is her protรฉgรฉ, ร"ttar, but it seems that ร"ttar was temporarily disguised as> > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is ร"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 Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 > > > > Frรธya, Frรถa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form. > > > > Frรถe - a Danish form > > > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as the fair sun> > "den vรคna solen" (Vana: from "Vanir", means beautiful[50]) > > > > Friia, Frฤซa - second Merseburg Charm > > > > Frija - variant of Friia > > > > Freija - Finnish form> > > > [edit] Other forms> > > > > > > > > > > > Hรคrnevi which means "Hรถrn'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:> > > > Vanadรà¸Âs, which means "Dรà¸Âs of the Vanir" or "fair goddess" (vรคna means> > beautiful); > > > > Mardรถll, which means "sea-bright" (mar: "sea", dรถll: feminine of dallr > > bright light", cf. Heimdallr); > > > > Hรถrn, which may be related to the word hรถrr meaning "flax", "linen"; > > > > Gefn, which means "the giver", is a suitable name for a fertility goddess; > > > > Sรà¸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. Valfaรà¸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> > > > Rรà¸"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 Mardรถll:> > > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings, > > > > The Tear of Mardรถll 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 Mardรถll, > > > > Fire-flame of ร"run, > > > > Idi's fine Speeches.> > > > Gold is called Tears of ร"รà¸Âr's Bride:> > > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice, > > > > With tear-gold is unminished, > > > > The Eye-rain of ร"รà¸Âr's Bride: > > > > His age the King so useth.> > > > Jewel is called Child of Hรถrn:> > > > Hรถrn'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 Frรà¸"di's seed-gold's fostering.> > > > Gem is called Child of Njรถrรà¸Âr's Daughter:> > > > A defence of songs full goodly > > > > He freely gave me, neighbor > > > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly > > > > Njรถrรà¸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 Frรธy- as the first element in their names, and the> > most common are the name Frรธyland (13 farms). But whether Frรธy- in these> > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is questionable> > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frรธyjuhof, 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,> > Frรธyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjรธrdal. There are also two> > islands named Frรธya in Norway.> > > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies the farm> > Ryland (Norse Rรà¸Âgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rรà¸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 ร�รà¸"rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible that rรà¸Âgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rรà¸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 frigedรฆg, 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 Freyjaโ€"such as> > Frฤซatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German, Freyjudagr in Old> > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danishโ€"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> > Vanadรà¸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 Njรถrรà¸Âr through etymological connections. The first> > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter. Njรถrรà¸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 Nรคsstrรถm 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 Walkรผre, Siegfried, and Gรถtterdรคmmerung. 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 ร�sir, 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 Vรถluspรà¸Â, is> > another name for Freyja.> > > > [edit] See also> > > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja > > > > > > > > Blรà¸"t > > > > Hรถrgr > > > > 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 Sรธrensen, P. (1998): Mรคnniskor och makter i> > vikingarnas vรคrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72 > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrรบnargrรà¸Âtr. Undersรถkningar i Germanisk Mythologi by> > Viktor Eydberg (1889) > > > > ^ Saga of Hรฅkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition by Ebbe Schรถn. > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda, Grรà¸Âmnismรà¸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, > > Nordmรฆndenes 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 Sรฆmundar Hinns Froรà¸Âa: The> > Edda Of Sรฆmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trรผbner & 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. "Fรคdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers' Godsagas) (1887).> > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978-4 > > > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vรคrldens 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 Bjรถrnsson'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). > > > > ^ Njรà¸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 sรถgur > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,> > Foresman & Co. (1901). > > > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book. Norrรฆna> > Society, London (1908). > > > > ^ This short story is also known as "The Saga of Hรถgni 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 Vรถluspรà¸Â. The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning (section> > 35) and Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 227-228. > > > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gรถth, cited in Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors> > hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. 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, Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl (Section XX). > > > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London: Everyman> > ISBN 0-460-87616-3. > > > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guรà¸Âni Jรà¸"nsson's Edition. > > > > ^ Njรà¸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 nยà¸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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 228. > > > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schรผtte. > > > > ^ Nรคsstrรถm, 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, Nรคsstrรถm. 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 โ€ข d โ€ข e> > > > Norse mythology and paganism> > > > > > > > Deities,> > > > heroes,> > > > and figuresร�sirBaldr ยท Bragi ยท Forseti ยท Dellingr ยท Freyr ยท Heimdallr ยท> > Hermรà¸"รà¸Âr ยท Hรถรà¸Âr ยท Hล"nir ยท Loki ยท Meili ยท Lรà¸"รà¸Âurr ยท Mรà¸Âmir ยท Njรถrรà¸Âr ยท ร"รà¸Âinn ยท> > ร"รà¸Âr ยท ร�รà¸"rr ยท Tรà¸Âr ยท Ullr ยท Vรà¸Âli ยท Vรà¸Âรà¸Âarr ยท Vili and Vรฉ> > > > > > > > ร�synjurBil ยท Eir ยท Freyja ยท Frigg ยท Fulla ยท Gerรà¸Âr ยท Gefjon ยท Gnรภยท Hlรà¸Ân ยท> > Ilmr ยท Iรà¸Âunn ยท Irpa ยท Lofn ยท Nanna ยท Njรถrun ยท Rรà¸Ân ยท Rindr ยท Sรà¸Âga ยท Sif ยท> > Sigyn ยท Sjรถfn ยท Skaรà¸Âi ยท Snotra ยท Sรà¸"l ยท Syn ยท ร�orgerรà¸Âr Hรถlgabrรบรà¸Âr ยท ร�rรบรà¸Âr ยท> > Vรà¸Âr ยท Vรถr> > > > > > > > OthersAsk and Embla ยท Dรà¸Âs (Norns ยท Valkyries) ยท Dwarves ยท Einherjar ยท Elves> > (Light elves ยท Dark elves) ยท Fenrir ยท Hel ยท Jรถrmungandr ยท Giants ยท Sigurd ยท> > Trolls ยท Vรถlundr> > > > > > > > > > > > LocationsAsgard ยท Bifrรถst ยท Fรà¸"lkvangr ยท Ginnungagap ยท Hel ยท Midgard ยท> > Mรบspellsheimr ยท Niflheim ยท Valhalla ยท Vรà¸Âgrรà¸Âรà¸Âr ยท Wells (Mรà¸Âmisbrunnr ยท> > Hvergelmir ยท Urรà¸Âarbrunnr) ยท Yggdrasil> > > > > > > > Eventsร�sirโ€"Vanir Warโ€� ยท Fimbulvetr ยท Ragnarรถk> > > > > > > > SourcesGesta Danorum ยท Poetic Edda ยท Prose Edda ยท Runestones ยท Sagas ยท> > Tyrfing Cycle ยท Vรถlsung Cycle ยท Old Norse language ยท Orthography ยท Later> > influence> > > > > > > > SocietyBlรà¸"t ยท Fรฉlag ยท Germanic calendar ยท Heiti ยท Hรถrgr ยท Kenning ยท Mead> > hall ยท Nฤซรพ ยท Norse pagan worship ยท Numbers ยท Runic calendar ยท Seiรà¸Âr ยท Skald > > ยท Viking Age ยท Vรถlva> > > > > > > > OriginsGermanic paganism ยท Proto-Indo-European religion> > > > > > > > See alsoNorse gods ยท Mythological Norse people, items and places ยท ร�satrรบ> >>

[Guest guest]

How horrible Reb. I will keep everyone in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

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-----Original Message-----From: reb_41se@...Sent: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:09:52 -0000To: mserslife Subject: 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 ร"รà¸Âr, each people gave her a different name".)[21] In> > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sรà¸Âr (Latinized as> > Syritha) seeking for ร"รà¸Âr/ร"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 Iรà¸Âunn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and forced him to> > lure Iรà¸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 Iรà¸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 Iรà¸Âunn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form, but he was> > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaรà¸Âi, who later became Freyr> > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaรà¸Âi's march to Asgard for vengeance ended in a> > marriage with Njรถrรà¸Âr. (Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 ร�jรà¸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. (Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl (17))> > > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the ร�sir, 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 Hรถdr 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:> > > > "Dรà¸"ttir Njarรà¸Âar var Freyja, hon var blรà¸"tgyรà¸Âja, ok hon kendi fyrst meรภร�sum> > seiรà¸Â, sem Vรถnum var tรà¸Âtt. ร�รภer Njรถrรà¸Âr var meรภVรถnum, รพรภhafรà¸Âi hann รà¸Âtta> > systr sรà¸Âna รพvรภat รพat vรà¸Âru รพar lรถg; vรà¸Âru รพeirra bรถrn Freyr ok Freyja. En รพat> > var bannat meรภร�sum at byggja svรภnรà¸Âit at frรฆndsemi.""Njรถrรà¸Âr's daughter> > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the ร�sir the magic> > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While Njรถrรà¸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 ร�sir it was> > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations."> > > > > > > > After the deaths of Odin, Njรถrรà¸Âr, and Freyr:> > > > "Freyja hรฉlt รพรภupp blรà¸"tum, รพvรภat hon ein lifรà¸Âi รพรภeptir goรà¸Âanna, ok varรà¸Â> > hon รพรภhin frรฆgsta, svรภat meรภhennar nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,> > svรภsem nรบ heita frรบvor. Svรภheitir ok hver freyja yfir sinni eign, en sรบ> > hรบsfreyja, er bรบ รà¸Â. Freyja var heldr marglynd; ร"รà¸Âr hรฉt bรà¸"ndi hennar, dรฆtr> > hennar hรฉtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; รพรฆr vรà¸Âru fagrar mjรถg: af รพeirra nafni eru svรà¸Â> > kallaรà¸Âir hinir dรà¸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 Frรบ (Frau in German); so> > that every woman is called frรบ (frau in German), or mistress over her> > property, and the wife is called the house-Frรบ (Ehefrau in German). Freyja> > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her> > husband was called ร"รà¸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 Hรฅkon 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, Njรถrรà¸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 ร�orgerรà¸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 Hรà¸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 ร"รà¸Âr:> > > > Freyja one day > > > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away. > > > > Northward and southward she sought her > > > > Dearly-loved Oder.> > > > According to Njรà¸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. Hallfreรà¸Âr vandrรฆรà¸Âaskรà¸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] Flateyjarbรà¸"k> > > > Sรถrla รพรà¸Âttr is a short story in the later and extended version of the Saga> > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbรà¸"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> > Hรบsdrรà¸Âpa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen), and the eternal battle> > Hjaรà¸Âningavรà¸Âg. In the end of the story, the arrival of Christianity dissolves> > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarรถk.> > > > "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 Hรถgni and king Heรà¸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 Flateyjarbรà¸"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 Hรถgni and Heรà¸Âinn is recorded in the skaldic poem Ragnarsdrรà¸Âpa> > and in Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl (section 49): king Hรถgni's daughter, Hildr, is> > kidnapped by king Heรà¸Âinn. When Hรถgni comes to fight Heรà¸Âinn on an island,> > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of Heรà¸Âinn for peace;> > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to make them> > fight until Ragnarรถk.[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> > Brรà¸Âsingamen is recorded in the skaldic poem Hรบsdrรà¸Âpa and Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl of> > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brรà¸Âsingamen, Heimdall contends with Loki> > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brรà¸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 Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl, Freyja is the wife of ร"รà¸Âr,[37] not a concubine of Odin.> > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist in any> > sources beside Sรถrla รพรà¸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 Hรถรà¸Âr (Hรธtherus) 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 Sรà¸Âr (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for marriage by a giant,> > and she travelled seeking for ร"รà¸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 Smรฅland,> > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning in this> > respect:[39]> > > > Jag minns en sรถndag pรฅ 1880-talet, det var nรฅgra gubbar ute och gick bland> > รฅkrarna och tittade pรฅ rรฅgen som snart var mogen. Dรฅ sa Mรฅns i Karryd: "Nu รค> > Frรถa ute รฅ sir รคtter om rรฅjen รคr mogen." [...] Nรคr jag som liten pojke satt> > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dรฅtida barn mycket rรคdd fรถr> > รฅskan. Nรคr kornblixtarna syntes om kvรคllarna, sade Katrina: "Du sa inte va> > rรคdd barn lella, dรค รค bara Frรถa som รค ute รฅ slรฅr ell med stรฅl รฅ flenta fรถr รฅ> > si etter om kornet รค moet. Ho รค snรคll ve folk รฅ gรถr dรค bare fรถr รฅ hjรคlpa, ho> > gรถr inte som Tor, han slรฅr ihjรคl bรฅde folk รฅ fรค, nรคr han lynna [...] Jag har> > sedan hรถrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pรฅ ungefรคr samma sรคtt.[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 Mรฅns 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 Vรคrend, 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: Frฤซge> > > > 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 Frรฎia or Frรปa (Frรà¸"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 Njรถrรà¸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 Grรà¸Âmnismรà¸Âl:> > > > The ninth is Fรà¸"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 (ร�orgerรà¸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 ร"รà¸Âal property, explains that Odin's> > warriors are "the offensive," or those who dedicate their life to fighting.> > Freyjaโ€�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] Brรà¸Âsingamen> > > > Main article: Brรà¸Âsingamen> > > > Brรà¸Âsingamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of gold and amber,> > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings, Brรà¸Âsingamen is> > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 Blommรฉr.> > > > 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 Hyndluljรà¸"รà¸Â. Later we are told that the boar> > is her protรฉgรฉ, ร"ttar, but it seems that ร"ttar was temporarily disguised as> > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is ร"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 Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 > > > > Frรธya, Frรถa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form. > > > > Frรถe - a Danish form > > > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as the fair sun> > "den vรคna solen" (Vana: from "Vanir", means beautiful[50]) > > > > Friia, Frฤซa - second Merseburg Charm > > > > Frija - variant of Friia > > > > Freija - Finnish form> > > > [edit] Other forms> > > > > > > > > > > > Hรคrnevi which means "Hรถrn'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:> > > > Vanadรà¸Âs, which means "Dรà¸Âs of the Vanir" or "fair goddess" (vรคna means> > beautiful); > > > > Mardรถll, which means "sea-bright" (mar: "sea", dรถll: feminine of dallr > > bright light", cf. Heimdallr); > > > > Hรถrn, which may be related to the word hรถrr meaning "flax", "linen"; > > > > Gefn, which means "the giver", is a suitable name for a fertility goddess; > > > > Sรà¸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. Valfaรà¸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> > > > Rรà¸"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 Mardรถll:> > > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings, > > > > The Tear of Mardรถll 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 Mardรถll, > > > > Fire-flame of ร"run, > > > > Idi's fine Speeches.> > > > Gold is called Tears of ร"รà¸Âr's Bride:> > > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice, > > > > With tear-gold is unminished, > > > > The Eye-rain of ร"รà¸Âr's Bride: > > > > His age the King so useth.> > > > Jewel is called Child of Hรถrn:> > > > Hรถrn'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 Frรà¸"di's seed-gold's fostering.> > > > Gem is called Child of Njรถrรà¸Âr's Daughter:> > > > A defence of songs full goodly > > > > He freely gave me, neighbor > > > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly > > > > Njรถrรà¸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 Frรธy- as the first element in their names, and the> > most common are the name Frรธyland (13 farms). But whether Frรธy- in these> > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is questionable> > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frรธyjuhof, 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,> > Frรธyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjรธrdal. There are also two> > islands named Frรธya in Norway.> > > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies the farm> > Ryland (Norse Rรà¸Âgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rรà¸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 ร�รà¸"rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible that rรà¸Âgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rรà¸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 frigedรฆg, 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 Freyjaโ€"such as> > Frฤซatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German, Freyjudagr in Old> > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danishโ€"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> > Vanadรà¸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 Njรถrรà¸Âr through etymological connections. The first> > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter. Njรถrรà¸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 Nรคsstrรถm 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 Walkรผre, Siegfried, and Gรถtterdรคmmerung. 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 ร�sir, 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 Vรถluspรà¸Â, is> > another name for Freyja.> > > > [edit] See also> > > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja > > > > > > > > Blรà¸"t > > > > Hรถrgr > > > > 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 Sรธrensen, P. (1998): Mรคnniskor och makter i> > vikingarnas vรคrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72 > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrรบnargrรà¸Âtr. Undersรถkningar i Germanisk Mythologi by> > Viktor Eydberg (1889) > > > > ^ Saga of Hรฅkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition by Ebbe Schรถn. > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda, Grรà¸Âmnismรà¸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, > > Nordmรฆndenes 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 Sรฆmundar Hinns Froรà¸Âa: The> > Edda Of Sรฆmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trรผbner & 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. "Fรคdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers' Godsagas) (1887).> > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978-4 > > > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vรคrldens 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 Bjรถrnsson'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). > > > > ^ Njรà¸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 sรถgur > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,> > Foresman & Co. (1901). > > > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book. Norrรฆna> > Society, London (1908). > > > > ^ This short story is also known as "The Saga of Hรถgni 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 Vรถluspรà¸Â. The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning (section> > 35) and Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 227-228. > > > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gรถth, cited in Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors> > hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. 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, Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl (Section XX). > > > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London: Everyman> > ISBN 0-460-87616-3. > > > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guรà¸Âni Jรà¸"nsson's Edition. > > > > ^ Njรà¸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 nยà¸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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 228. > > > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schรผtte. > > > > ^ Nรคsstrรถm, 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, Nรคsstrรถm. 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 โ€ข d โ€ข e> > > > Norse mythology and paganism> > > > > > > > Deities,> > > > heroes,> > > > and figuresร�sirBaldr ยท Bragi ยท Forseti ยท Dellingr ยท Freyr ยท Heimdallr ยท> > Hermรà¸"รà¸Âr ยท Hรถรà¸Âr ยท Hล"nir ยท Loki ยท Meili ยท Lรà¸"รà¸Âurr ยท Mรà¸Âmir ยท Njรถrรà¸Âr ยท ร"รà¸Âinn ยท> > ร"รà¸Âr ยท ร�รà¸"rr ยท Tรà¸Âr ยท Ullr ยท Vรà¸Âli ยท Vรà¸Âรà¸Âarr ยท Vili and Vรฉ> > > > > > > > ร�synjurBil ยท Eir ยท Freyja ยท Frigg ยท Fulla ยท Gerรà¸Âr ยท Gefjon ยท Gnรภยท Hlรà¸Ân ยท> > Ilmr ยท Iรà¸Âunn ยท Irpa ยท Lofn ยท Nanna ยท Njรถrun ยท Rรà¸Ân ยท Rindr ยท Sรà¸Âga ยท Sif ยท> > Sigyn ยท Sjรถfn ยท Skaรà¸Âi ยท Snotra ยท Sรà¸"l ยท Syn ยท ร�orgerรà¸Âr Hรถlgabrรบรà¸Âr ยท ร�rรบรà¸Âr ยท> > Vรà¸Âr ยท Vรถr> > > > > > > > OthersAsk and Embla ยท Dรà¸Âs (Norns ยท Valkyries) ยท Dwarves ยท Einherjar ยท Elves> > (Light elves ยท Dark elves) ยท Fenrir ยท Hel ยท Jรถrmungandr ยท Giants ยท Sigurd ยท> > Trolls ยท Vรถlundr> > > > > > > > > > > > LocationsAsgard ยท Bifrรถst ยท Fรà¸"lkvangr ยท Ginnungagap ยท Hel ยท Midgard ยท> > Mรบspellsheimr ยท Niflheim ยท Valhalla ยท Vรà¸Âgrรà¸Âรà¸Âr ยท Wells (Mรà¸Âmisbrunnr ยท> > Hvergelmir ยท Urรà¸Âarbrunnr) ยท Yggdrasil> > > > > > > > Eventsร�sirโ€"Vanir Warโ€� ยท Fimbulvetr ยท Ragnarรถk> > > > > > > > SourcesGesta Danorum ยท Poetic Edda ยท Prose Edda ยท Runestones ยท Sagas ยท> > Tyrfing Cycle ยท Vรถlsung Cycle ยท Old Norse language ยท Orthography ยท Later> > influence> > > > > > > > SocietyBlรà¸"t ยท Fรฉlag ยท Germanic calendar ยท Heiti ยท Hรถrgr ยท Kenning ยท Mead> > hall ยท Nฤซรพ ยท Norse pagan worship ยท Numbers ยท Runic calendar ยท Seiรà¸Âr ยท Skald > > ยท Viking Age ยท Vรถlva> > > > > > > > OriginsGermanic paganism ยท Proto-Indo-European religion> > > > > > > > See alsoNorse gods ยท Mythological Norse people, items and places ยท ร�satrรบ> >>

[Guest guest]

How horrible Reb. I will keep everyone in my prayers.

Hugs

nne

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-----Original Message-----From: reb_41se@...Sent: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 11:09:52 -0000To: mserslife Subject: 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 ร"รà¸Âr, each people gave her a different name".)[21] In> > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sรà¸Âr (Latinized as> > Syritha) seeking for ร"รà¸Âr/ร"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 Iรà¸Âunn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and forced him to> > lure Iรà¸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 Iรà¸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 Iรà¸Âunn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form, but he was> > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaรà¸Âi, who later became Freyr> > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaรà¸Âi's march to Asgard for vengeance ended in a> > marriage with Njรถrรà¸Âr. (Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 ร�jรà¸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. (Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl (17))> > > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the ร�sir, 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 Hรถdr 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:> > > > "Dรà¸"ttir Njarรà¸Âar var Freyja, hon var blรà¸"tgyรà¸Âja, ok hon kendi fyrst meรภร�sum> > seiรà¸Â, sem Vรถnum var tรà¸Âtt. ร�รภer Njรถrรà¸Âr var meรภVรถnum, รพรภhafรà¸Âi hann รà¸Âtta> > systr sรà¸Âna รพvรภat รพat vรà¸Âru รพar lรถg; vรà¸Âru รพeirra bรถrn Freyr ok Freyja. En รพat> > var bannat meรภร�sum at byggja svรภnรà¸Âit at frรฆndsemi.""Njรถrรà¸Âr's daughter> > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the ร�sir the magic> > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While Njรถrรà¸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 ร�sir it was> > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations."> > > > > > > > After the deaths of Odin, Njรถrรà¸Âr, and Freyr:> > > > "Freyja hรฉlt รพรภupp blรà¸"tum, รพvรภat hon ein lifรà¸Âi รพรภeptir goรà¸Âanna, ok varรà¸Â> > hon รพรภhin frรฆgsta, svรภat meรภhennar nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,> > svรภsem nรบ heita frรบvor. Svรภheitir ok hver freyja yfir sinni eign, en sรบ> > hรบsfreyja, er bรบ รà¸Â. Freyja var heldr marglynd; ร"รà¸Âr hรฉt bรà¸"ndi hennar, dรฆtr> > hennar hรฉtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; รพรฆr vรà¸Âru fagrar mjรถg: af รพeirra nafni eru svรà¸Â> > kallaรà¸Âir hinir dรà¸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 Frรบ (Frau in German); so> > that every woman is called frรบ (frau in German), or mistress over her> > property, and the wife is called the house-Frรบ (Ehefrau in German). Freyja> > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her> > husband was called ร"รà¸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 Hรฅkon 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, Njรถrรà¸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 ร�orgerรà¸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 Hรà¸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 ร"รà¸Âr:> > > > Freyja one day > > > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away. > > > > Northward and southward she sought her > > > > Dearly-loved Oder.> > > > According to Njรà¸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. Hallfreรà¸Âr vandrรฆรà¸Âaskรà¸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] Flateyjarbรà¸"k> > > > Sรถrla รพรà¸Âttr is a short story in the later and extended version of the Saga> > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbรà¸"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> > Hรบsdrรà¸Âpa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen), and the eternal battle> > Hjaรà¸Âningavรà¸Âg. In the end of the story, the arrival of Christianity dissolves> > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarรถk.> > > > "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 Hรถgni and king Heรà¸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 Flateyjarbรà¸"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 Hรถgni and Heรà¸Âinn is recorded in the skaldic poem Ragnarsdrรà¸Âpa> > and in Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl (section 49): king Hรถgni's daughter, Hildr, is> > kidnapped by king Heรà¸Âinn. When Hรถgni comes to fight Heรà¸Âinn on an island,> > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of Heรà¸Âinn for peace;> > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to make them> > fight until Ragnarรถk.[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> > Brรà¸Âsingamen is recorded in the skaldic poem Hรบsdrรà¸Âpa and Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl of> > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brรà¸Âsingamen, Heimdall contends with Loki> > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brรà¸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 Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl, Freyja is the wife of ร"รà¸Âr,[37] not a concubine of Odin.> > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist in any> > sources beside Sรถrla รพรà¸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 Hรถรà¸Âr (Hรธtherus) 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 Sรà¸Âr (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for marriage by a giant,> > and she travelled seeking for ร"รà¸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 Smรฅland,> > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning in this> > respect:[39]> > > > Jag minns en sรถndag pรฅ 1880-talet, det var nรฅgra gubbar ute och gick bland> > รฅkrarna och tittade pรฅ rรฅgen som snart var mogen. Dรฅ sa Mรฅns i Karryd: "Nu รค> > Frรถa ute รฅ sir รคtter om rรฅjen รคr mogen." [...] Nรคr jag som liten pojke satt> > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dรฅtida barn mycket rรคdd fรถr> > รฅskan. Nรคr kornblixtarna syntes om kvรคllarna, sade Katrina: "Du sa inte va> > rรคdd barn lella, dรค รค bara Frรถa som รค ute รฅ slรฅr ell med stรฅl รฅ flenta fรถr รฅ> > si etter om kornet รค moet. Ho รค snรคll ve folk รฅ gรถr dรค bare fรถr รฅ hjรคlpa, ho> > gรถr inte som Tor, han slรฅr ihjรคl bรฅde folk รฅ fรค, nรคr han lynna [...] Jag har> > sedan hรถrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pรฅ ungefรคr samma sรคtt.[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 Mรฅns 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 Vรคrend, 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: Frฤซge> > > > 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 Frรฎia or Frรปa (Frรà¸"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 Njรถrรà¸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 Grรà¸Âmnismรà¸Âl:> > > > The ninth is Fรà¸"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 (ร�orgerรà¸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 ร"รà¸Âal property, explains that Odin's> > warriors are "the offensive," or those who dedicate their life to fighting.> > Freyjaโ€�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] Brรà¸Âsingamen> > > > Main article: Brรà¸Âsingamen> > > > Brรà¸Âsingamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of gold and amber,> > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings, Brรà¸Âsingamen is> > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 Blommรฉr.> > > > 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 Hyndluljรà¸"รà¸Â. Later we are told that the boar> > is her protรฉgรฉ, ร"ttar, but it seems that ร"ttar was temporarily disguised as> > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is ร"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 Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 > > > > Frรธya, Frรถa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form. > > > > Frรถe - a Danish form > > > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as the fair sun> > "den vรคna solen" (Vana: from "Vanir", means beautiful[50]) > > > > Friia, Frฤซa - second Merseburg Charm > > > > Frija - variant of Friia > > > > Freija - Finnish form> > > > [edit] Other forms> > > > > > > > > > > > Hรคrnevi which means "Hรถrn'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:> > > > Vanadรà¸Âs, which means "Dรà¸Âs of the Vanir" or "fair goddess" (vรคna means> > beautiful); > > > > Mardรถll, which means "sea-bright" (mar: "sea", dรถll: feminine of dallr > > bright light", cf. Heimdallr); > > > > Hรถrn, which may be related to the word hรถrr meaning "flax", "linen"; > > > > Gefn, which means "the giver", is a suitable name for a fertility goddess; > > > > Sรà¸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. Valfaรà¸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> > > > Rรà¸"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 Mardรถll:> > > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings, > > > > The Tear of Mardรถll 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 Mardรถll, > > > > Fire-flame of ร"run, > > > > Idi's fine Speeches.> > > > Gold is called Tears of ร"รà¸Âr's Bride:> > > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice, > > > > With tear-gold is unminished, > > > > The Eye-rain of ร"รà¸Âr's Bride: > > > > His age the King so useth.> > > > Jewel is called Child of Hรถrn:> > > > Hรถrn'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 Frรà¸"di's seed-gold's fostering.> > > > Gem is called Child of Njรถrรà¸Âr's Daughter:> > > > A defence of songs full goodly > > > > He freely gave me, neighbor > > > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly > > > > Njรถrรà¸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 Frรธy- as the first element in their names, and the> > most common are the name Frรธyland (13 farms). But whether Frรธy- in these> > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is questionable> > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frรธyjuhof, 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,> > Frรธyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjรธrdal. There are also two> > islands named Frรธya in Norway.> > > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies the farm> > Ryland (Norse Rรà¸Âgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rรà¸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 ร�รà¸"rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible that rรà¸Âgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rรà¸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 frigedรฆg, 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 Freyjaโ€"such as> > Frฤซatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German, Freyjudagr in Old> > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and Danishโ€"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> > Vanadรà¸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 Njรถrรà¸Âr through etymological connections. The first> > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter. Njรถrรà¸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 Nรคsstrรถm 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 Walkรผre, Siegfried, and Gรถtterdรคmmerung. 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 ร�sir, 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 Vรถluspรà¸Â, is> > another name for Freyja.> > > > [edit] See also> > > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja > > > > > > > > Blรà¸"t > > > > Hรถrgr > > > > 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 Sรธrensen, P. (1998): Mรคnniskor och makter i> > vikingarnas vรคrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72 > > > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrรบnargrรà¸Âtr. Undersรถkningar i Germanisk Mythologi by> > Viktor Eydberg (1889) > > > > ^ Saga of Hรฅkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition by Ebbe Schรถn. > > > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda, Grรà¸Âmnismรà¸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, > > Nordmรฆndenes 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 Sรฆmundar Hinns Froรà¸Âa: The> > Edda Of Sรฆmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trรผbner & 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. "Fรคdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers' Godsagas) (1887).> > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978-4 > > > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vรคrldens 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 Bjรถrnsson'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). > > > > ^ Njรà¸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 sรถgur > > > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,> > Foresman & Co. (1901). > > > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book. Norrรฆna> > Society, London (1908). > > > > ^ This short story is also known as "The Saga of Hรถgni 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 Vรถluspรà¸Â. The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning (section> > 35) and Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 227-228. > > > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gรถth, cited in Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors> > hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. 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, Skรà¸Âldskaparmรà¸Âl (Section XX). > > > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London: Everyman> > ISBN 0-460-87616-3. > > > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guรà¸Âni Jรà¸"nsson's Edition. > > > > ^ Njรà¸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 nยà¸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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och> > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 228. > > > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schรผtte. > > > > ^ Nรคsstrรถm, 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, Nรคsstrรถm. 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 โ€ข d โ€ข e> > > > Norse mythology and paganism> > > > > > > > Deities,> > > > heroes,> > > > and figuresร�sirBaldr ยท Bragi ยท Forseti ยท Dellingr ยท Freyr ยท Heimdallr ยท> > Hermรà¸"รà¸Âr ยท Hรถรà¸Âr ยท Hล"nir ยท Loki ยท Meili ยท Lรà¸"รà¸Âurr ยท Mรà¸Âmir ยท Njรถrรà¸Âr ยท ร"รà¸Âinn ยท> > ร"รà¸Âr ยท ร�รà¸"rr ยท Tรà¸Âr ยท Ullr ยท Vรà¸Âli ยท Vรà¸Âรà¸Âarr ยท Vili and Vรฉ> > > > > > > > ร�synjurBil ยท Eir ยท Freyja ยท Frigg ยท Fulla ยท Gerรà¸Âr ยท Gefjon ยท Gnรภยท Hlรà¸Ân ยท> > Ilmr ยท Iรà¸Âunn ยท Irpa ยท Lofn ยท Nanna ยท Njรถrun ยท Rรà¸Ân ยท Rindr ยท Sรà¸Âga ยท Sif ยท> > Sigyn ยท Sjรถfn ยท Skaรà¸Âi ยท Snotra ยท Sรà¸"l ยท Syn ยท ร�orgerรà¸Âr Hรถlgabrรบรà¸Âr ยท ร�rรบรà¸Âr ยท> > Vรà¸Âr ยท Vรถr> > > > > > > > OthersAsk and Embla ยท Dรà¸Âs (Norns ยท Valkyries) ยท Dwarves ยท Einherjar ยท Elves> > (Light elves ยท Dark elves) ยท Fenrir ยท Hel ยท Jรถrmungandr ยท Giants ยท Sigurd ยท> > Trolls ยท Vรถlundr> > > > > > > > > > > > LocationsAsgard ยท Bifrรถst ยท Fรà¸"lkvangr ยท Ginnungagap ยท Hel ยท Midgard ยท> > Mรบspellsheimr ยท Niflheim ยท Valhalla ยท Vรà¸Âgrรà¸Âรà¸Âr ยท Wells (Mรà¸Âmisbrunnr ยท> > Hvergelmir ยท Urรà¸Âarbrunnr) ยท Yggdrasil> > > > > > > > Eventsร�sirโ€"Vanir Warโ€� ยท Fimbulvetr ยท Ragnarรถk> > > > > > > > SourcesGesta Danorum ยท Poetic Edda ยท Prose Edda ยท Runestones ยท Sagas ยท> > Tyrfing Cycle ยท Vรถlsung Cycle ยท Old Norse language ยท Orthography ยท Later> > influence> > > > > > > > SocietyBlรà¸"t ยท Fรฉlag ยท Germanic calendar ยท Heiti ยท Hรถrgr ยท Kenning ยท Mead> > hall ยท Nฤซรพ ยท Norse pagan worship ยท Numbers ยท Runic calendar ยท Seiรà¸Âr ยท Skald > > ยท Viking Age ยท Vรถlva> > > > > > > > OriginsGermanic paganism ยท Proto-Indo-European religion> > > > > > > > See alsoNorse gods ยท Mythological Norse people, items and places ยท ร�satrรบ> >>

[Guest guest]

Reb,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Anytime of year, losing a loved one is

lousy, but especially lousy at this time of year. I will keep the family

and yourself & in my thoughts as the days go by.

HUGS

|)onna

Reb D wrote:

>

>

> 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 ร " รà¸r, each people gave her a

> different name " .)[21] In

> > > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sรà¸r

> (Latinized as

> > > Syritha) seeking for ร " รà¸r/ร " 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 Iรà¸unn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and

> forced him to

> > > lure Iรà¸unn out to kidnap her along with the golden apples.

> Without the

> > > apples of youth, the gods grew old and they soon found out that

> Iรà¸unn 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 Iรà¸unn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form,

> but he was

> > > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaรà¸i, who

> later became Freyr

> > > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaรà¸i's march to Asgard for

> vengeance ended in a

> > > marriage with Njรถrรà¸r. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 ร�jรà¸lfi, 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. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (17))

> > >

> > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the ร�sir, 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 Hรถdr 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:

> > >

> > > " Dรภ" ttir Njarรà¸ar var Freyja, hon var blรภ" tgyรà¸ja,

> ok hon kendi fyrst meรภร�sum

> > > seiรà¸, sem Vรถnum var tรà¸tt. ร�รภer

> Njรถrรà¸r var meรภVรถnum, รพรภhafรà¸i

> hann รà¸tta

> > > systr sรà¸na รพvรภat รพat vรà¸ru รพar

> lรถg; vรà¸ru รพeirra bรถrn Freyr ok Freyja. En รพat

> > > var bannat meรภร�sum at byggja svรภnรà¸it at

> frรฆndsemi. " " Njรถrรà¸r's daughter

> > > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the

> ร�sir the magic

> > > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While

> Njรถrรà¸r 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

> ร�sir it was

> > > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations. "

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > After the deaths of Odin, Njรถrรà¸r, and Freyr:

> > >

> > > " Freyja hรฉlt รพรภupp blรภ" tum, รพvรภat

> hon ein lifรà¸i รพรภeptir goรà¸anna, ok varรà¸

> > > hon รพรภhin frรฆgsta, svรภat meรภhennar

> nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,

> > > svรภsem nรบ heita frรบvor. Svรภheitir ok hver

> freyja yfir sinni eign, en sรบ

> > > hรบsfreyja, er bรบ รà¸. Freyja var heldr marglynd;

> ร " รà¸r hรฉt bรภ" ndi hennar, dรฆtr

> > > hennar hรฉtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; รพรฆr vรà¸ru fagrar

> mjรถg: af รพeirra nafni eru svรà¸

> > > kallaรà¸ir hinir dรà¸rstu 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 Frรบ (Frau

> in German); so

> > > that every woman is called frรบ (frau in German), or mistress

> over her

> > > property, and the wife is called the house-Frรบ (Ehefrau in

> German). Freyja

> > > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her

> > > husband was called ร " รà¸r, 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 Hรฅkon 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, Njรถrรà¸r'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 ร�orgerรà¸r 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 Hรà¸lfs 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 ร " รà¸r:

> > >

> > > Freyja one day

> > >

> > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away.

> > >

> > > Northward and southward she sought her

> > >

> > > Dearly-loved Oder.

> > >

> > > According to Njรà¸ls 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. Hallfreรà¸r vandrรฆรà¸askรà¸ld, 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] Flateyjarbรภ" k

> > >

> > > Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr is a short story in the later and

> extended version of the Saga

> > > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbรภ" 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

> > > Hรบsdrรà¸pa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen), and the

> eternal battle

> > > Hjaรà¸ningavรà¸g. In the end of the story, the arrival of

> Christianity dissolves

> > > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarรถk.

> > >

> > > " 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 Hรถgni and king Heรà¸inn 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 Flateyjarbรภ" 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 Hรถgni and Heรà¸inn is recorded in the

> skaldic poem Ragnarsdrรà¸pa

> > > and in Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (section 49): king Hรถgni's

> daughter, Hildr, is

> > > kidnapped by king Heรà¸inn. When Hรถgni comes to fight

> Heรà¸inn on an island,

> > > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of

> Heรà¸inn for peace;

> > > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to

> make them

> > > fight until Ragnarรถk.[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

> > > Brรà¸singamen is recorded in the skaldic poem

> Hรบsdrรà¸pa and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l of

> > > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brรà¸singamen, Heimdall

> contends with Loki

> > > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brรà¸singamen 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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l, Freyja is the wife of

> ร " รà¸r,[37] not a concubine of Odin.

> > > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist

> in any

> > > sources beside Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr, 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 Hรถรà¸r (Hรธtherus) 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 Sรà¸r (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for

> marriage by a giant,

> > > and she travelled seeking for ร " รà¸r (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 Smรฅland,

> > > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning

> in this

> > > respect:[39]

> > >

> > > Jag minns en sรถndag pรฅ 1880-talet, det var nรฅgra

> gubbar ute och gick bland

> > > รฅkrarna och tittade pรฅ rรฅgen som snart var mogen.

> Dรฅ sa Mรฅns i Karryd: " Nu รค

> > > Frรถa ute รฅ sir รคtter om rรฅjen รคr mogen. "

> [...] Nรคr jag som liten pojke satt

> > > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dรฅtida barn

> mycket rรคdd fรถr

> > > รฅskan. Nรคr kornblixtarna syntes om kvรคllarna, sade

> Katrina: " Du sa inte va

> > > rรคdd barn lella, dรค รค bara Frรถa som รค ute

> รฅ slรฅr ell med stรฅl รฅ flenta fรถr รฅ

> > > si etter om kornet รค moet. Ho รค snรคll ve folk

> รฅ gรถr dรค bare fรถr รฅ hjรคlpa, ho

> > > gรถr inte som Tor, han slรฅr ihjรคl bรฅde folk

> รฅ fรค, nรคr han lynna [...] Jag har

> > > sedan hรถrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pรฅ

> ungefรคr samma sรคtt.[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 Mรฅns 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 Vรคrend, 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: Frฤซge

> > >

> > > 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 Frรฎia or Frรปa (Frรภ" 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 Njรถrรà¸r,

> 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 Grรà¸mnismรà¸l:

> > >

> > > The ninth is Fรภ" 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 (ร�orgerรà¸r), 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 ร " รà¸al property, explains

> that Odin's

> > > warriors are " the offensive, " or those who dedicate their life to

> fighting.

> > > Freyjaโ€�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] Brรà¸singamen

> > >

> > > Main article: Brรà¸singamen

> > >

> > > Brรà¸singamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of

> gold and amber,

> > > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings,

> Brรà¸singamen is

> > > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Blommรฉr.

> > >

> > > 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 Hyndluljรภ" รà¸. Later we are

> told that the boar

> > > is her protรฉgรฉ, ร " ttar, but it seems that ร " ttar was

> temporarily disguised as

> > > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is ร " 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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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

> > >

> > > Frรธya, Frรถa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form.

> > >

> > > Frรถe - a Danish form

> > >

> > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as

> the fair sun

> > > " den vรคna solen " (Vana: from " Vanir " , means beautiful[50])

> > >

> > > Friia, Frฤซa - second Merseburg Charm

> > >

> > > Frija - variant of Friia

> > >

> > > Freija - Finnish form

> > >

> > > [edit] Other forms

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hรคrnevi which means " Hรถrn'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:

> > >

> > > Vanadรà¸s, which means " Dรà¸s of the Vanir " or " fair

> goddess " (vรคna means

> > > beautiful);

> > >

> > > Mardรถll, which means " sea-bright " (mar: " sea " , dรถll:

> feminine of dallr

> > > bright light " , cf. Heimdallr);

> > >

> > > Hรถrn, which may be related to the word hรถrr meaning

> " flax " , " linen " ;

> > >

> > > Gefn, which means " the giver " , is a suitable name for a fertility

> goddess;

> > >

> > > Sรà¸r, 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. Valfaรà¸ir

> > > 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

> > >

> > > Rรภ" 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 Mardรถll:

> > >

> > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings,

> > >

> > > The Tear of Mardรถll 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 Mardรถll,

> > >

> > > Fire-flame of ร " run,

> > >

> > > Idi's fine Speeches.

> > >

> > > Gold is called Tears of ร " รà¸r's Bride:

> > >

> > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice,

> > >

> > > With tear-gold is unminished,

> > >

> > > The Eye-rain of ร " รà¸r's Bride:

> > >

> > > His age the King so useth.

> > >

> > > Jewel is called Child of Hรถrn:

> > >

> > > Hรถrn'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 Frรภ" di's seed-gold's fostering.

> > >

> > > Gem is called Child of Njรถrรà¸r's Daughter:

> > >

> > > A defence of songs full goodly

> > >

> > > He freely gave me, neighbor

> > >

> > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly

> > >

> > > Njรถrรà¸r'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 Frรธy- as the first element in their

> names, and the

> > > most common are the name Frรธyland (13 farms). But whether

> Frรธy- in these

> > > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is

> questionable

> > > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frรธyjuhof, 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,

> > > Frรธyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjรธrdal.

> There are also two

> > > islands named Frรธya in Norway.

> > >

> > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies

> the farm

> > > Ryland (Norse Rรà¸gjarland). The first element is the genitive

> case of rรà¸gr

> > > 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 ร�รภ" rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible

> that rรà¸gr (lady) here

> > > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A

> > > sideform of the word (rรà¸gja) 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 frigedรฆg, 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

> Freyjaโ€ " such as

> > > Frฤซatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German,

> Freyjudagr in Old

> > > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and

> Danishโ€ " 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

> > > Vanadรà¸s. 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 Njรถrรà¸r through etymological

> connections. The first

> > > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter.

> Njรถrรà¸r 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 Nรคsstrรถm 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 Walkรผre, Siegfried, and Gรถtterdรคmmerung. 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 ร�sir, 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

> Vรถluspรà¸, is

> > > another name for Freyja.

> > >

> > > [edit] See also

> > >

> > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Blรภ" t

> > >

> > > Hรถrgr

> > >

> > > 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 Sรธrensen, P. (1998):

> Mรคnniskor och makter i

> > > vikingarnas vรคrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72

> > >

> > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrรบnargrรà¸tr. Undersรถkningar i

> Germanisk Mythologi by

> > > Viktor Eydberg (1889)

> > >

> > > ^ Saga of Hรฅkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och

> jรคttar i tro och

> > > tradition by Ebbe Schรถn.

> > >

> > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda,

> Grรà¸mnismรà¸l.

> > >

> > > ^ 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,

> > > Nordmรฆndenes 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 Sรฆmundar

> Hinns Froรà¸a: The

> > > Edda Of Sรฆmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trรผbner &

> 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. " Fรคdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers'

> Godsagas) (1887).

> > > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978-4

> > >

> > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vรคrldens 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 Bjรถrnsson'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).

> > >

> > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 sรถgur

> > >

> > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,

> > > Foresman & Co. (1901).

> > >

> > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book.

> Norrรฆna

> > > Society, London (1908).

> > >

> > > ^ This short story is also known as " The Saga of Hรถgni 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 Vรถluspรà¸. The Prose Edda,

> Gylfaginning (section

> > > 35) and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och

> jรคttar i tro och

> > > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 227-228.

> > >

> > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gรถth, cited in Schรถn, Ebbe.

> (2004). Asa-Tors

> > > hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och tradition. Fรคlt &

> Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. 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, Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (Section XX).

> > >

> > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London:

> Everyman

> > > ISBN 0-460-87616-3.

> > >

> > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guรà¸ni Jรภ" nsson's Edition.

> > >

> > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 nยà¸80 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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och

> jรคttar i tro och

> > > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 228.

> > >

> > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schรผtte.

> > >

> > > ^ Nรคsstrรถm, 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, Nรคsstrรถm. 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 โ€ข d โ€ข e

> > >

> > > Norse mythology and paganism

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Deities,

> > >

> > > heroes,

> > >

> > > and figuresร�sirBaldr ยท Bragi ยท Forseti ยท

> Dellingr ยท Freyr ยท Heimdallr ยท

> > > Hermรภ" รà¸r ยท Hรถรà¸r ยท Hล " nir ยท

> Loki ยท Meili ยท Lรภ" รà¸urr ยท Mรà¸mir ยท

> Njรถrรà¸r ยท ร " รà¸inn ยท

> > > ร " รà¸r ยท ร�รภ" rr ยท Tรà¸r ยท Ullr

> ยท Vรà¸li ยท Vรà¸à¸£à¸arr ยท Vili and Vรฉ

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ร�synjurBil ยท Eir ยท Freyja ยท Frigg ยท Fulla

> ยท Gerรà¸r ยท Gefjon ยท Gnรภยท Hlรà¸n ยท

> > > Ilmr ยท Iรà¸unn ยท Irpa ยท Lofn ยท Nanna ยท

> Njรถrun ยท Rรà¸n ยท Rindr ยท Sรà¸ga ยท Sif

> ยท

> > > Sigyn ยท Sjรถfn ยท Skaรà¸i ยท Snotra ยท

> Sรภ" l ยท Syn ยท ร�orgerรà¸r

> Hรถlgabrรบรà¸r ยท ร�rรบรà¸r ยท

> > > Vรà¸r ยท Vรถr

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > OthersAsk and Embla ยท Dรà¸s (Norns ยท Valkyries)

> ยท Dwarves ยท Einherjar ยท Elves

> > > (Light elves ยท Dark elves) ยท Fenrir ยท Hel ยท

> Jรถrmungandr ยท Giants ยท Sigurd ยท

> > > Trolls ยท Vรถlundr

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > LocationsAsgard ยท Bifrรถst ยท Fรภ" lkvangr ยท

> Ginnungagap ยท Hel ยท Midgard ยท

> > > Mรบspellsheimr ยท Niflheim ยท Valhalla ยท

> Vรà¸grรà¸à¸£à¸r ยท Wells (Mรà¸misbrunnr ยท

> > > Hvergelmir ยท Urรà¸arbrunnr) ยท Yggdrasil

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Eventsร�sirโ€ " Vanir Warโ€� ยท Fimbulvetr ยท

> Ragnarรถk

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > SourcesGesta Danorum ยท Poetic Edda ยท Prose Edda ยท

> Runestones ยท Sagas ยท

> > > Tyrfing Cycle ยท Vรถlsung Cycle ยท Old Norse language

> ยท Orthography ยท Later

> > > influence

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > SocietyBlรภ" t ยท Fรฉlag ยท Germanic calendar ยท

> Heiti ยท Hรถrgr ยท Kenning ยท Mead

> > > hall ยท Nฤซรพ ยท Norse pagan worship ยท

> Numbers ยท Runic calendar ยท Seiรà¸r ยท Skald

> > > ยท Viking Age ยท Vรถlva

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > OriginsGermanic paganism ยท Proto-Indo-European religion

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > See alsoNorse gods ยท Mythological Norse people, items and

> places ยท ร�satrรบ

> > >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Reb,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Anytime of year, losing a loved one is

lousy, but especially lousy at this time of year. I will keep the family

and yourself & in my thoughts as the days go by.

HUGS

|)onna

Reb D wrote:

>

>

> 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 ร " รà¸r, each people gave her a

> different name " .)[21] In

> > > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sรà¸r

> (Latinized as

> > > Syritha) seeking for ร " รà¸r/ร " 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 Iรà¸unn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and

> forced him to

> > > lure Iรà¸unn out to kidnap her along with the golden apples.

> Without the

> > > apples of youth, the gods grew old and they soon found out that

> Iรà¸unn 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 Iรà¸unn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form,

> but he was

> > > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaรà¸i, who

> later became Freyr

> > > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaรà¸i's march to Asgard for

> vengeance ended in a

> > > marriage with Njรถrรà¸r. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 ร�jรà¸lfi, 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. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (17))

> > >

> > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the ร�sir, 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 Hรถdr 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:

> > >

> > > " Dรภ" ttir Njarรà¸ar var Freyja, hon var blรภ" tgyรà¸ja,

> ok hon kendi fyrst meรภร�sum

> > > seiรà¸, sem Vรถnum var tรà¸tt. ร�รภer

> Njรถrรà¸r var meรภVรถnum, รพรภhafรà¸i

> hann รà¸tta

> > > systr sรà¸na รพvรภat รพat vรà¸ru รพar

> lรถg; vรà¸ru รพeirra bรถrn Freyr ok Freyja. En รพat

> > > var bannat meรภร�sum at byggja svรภnรà¸it at

> frรฆndsemi. " " Njรถrรà¸r's daughter

> > > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the

> ร�sir the magic

> > > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While

> Njรถrรà¸r 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

> ร�sir it was

> > > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations. "

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > After the deaths of Odin, Njรถrรà¸r, and Freyr:

> > >

> > > " Freyja hรฉlt รพรภupp blรภ" tum, รพvรภat

> hon ein lifรà¸i รพรภeptir goรà¸anna, ok varรà¸

> > > hon รพรภhin frรฆgsta, svรภat meรภhennar

> nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,

> > > svรภsem nรบ heita frรบvor. Svรภheitir ok hver

> freyja yfir sinni eign, en sรบ

> > > hรบsfreyja, er bรบ รà¸. Freyja var heldr marglynd;

> ร " รà¸r hรฉt bรภ" ndi hennar, dรฆtr

> > > hennar hรฉtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; รพรฆr vรà¸ru fagrar

> mjรถg: af รพeirra nafni eru svรà¸

> > > kallaรà¸ir hinir dรà¸rstu 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 Frรบ (Frau

> in German); so

> > > that every woman is called frรบ (frau in German), or mistress

> over her

> > > property, and the wife is called the house-Frรบ (Ehefrau in

> German). Freyja

> > > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her

> > > husband was called ร " รà¸r, 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 Hรฅkon 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, Njรถrรà¸r'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 ร�orgerรà¸r 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 Hรà¸lfs 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 ร " รà¸r:

> > >

> > > Freyja one day

> > >

> > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away.

> > >

> > > Northward and southward she sought her

> > >

> > > Dearly-loved Oder.

> > >

> > > According to Njรà¸ls 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. Hallfreรà¸r vandrรฆรà¸askรà¸ld, 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] Flateyjarbรภ" k

> > >

> > > Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr is a short story in the later and

> extended version of the Saga

> > > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbรภ" 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

> > > Hรบsdrรà¸pa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen), and the

> eternal battle

> > > Hjaรà¸ningavรà¸g. In the end of the story, the arrival of

> Christianity dissolves

> > > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarรถk.

> > >

> > > " 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 Hรถgni and king Heรà¸inn 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 Flateyjarbรภ" 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 Hรถgni and Heรà¸inn is recorded in the

> skaldic poem Ragnarsdrรà¸pa

> > > and in Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (section 49): king Hรถgni's

> daughter, Hildr, is

> > > kidnapped by king Heรà¸inn. When Hรถgni comes to fight

> Heรà¸inn on an island,

> > > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of

> Heรà¸inn for peace;

> > > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to

> make them

> > > fight until Ragnarรถk.[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

> > > Brรà¸singamen is recorded in the skaldic poem

> Hรบsdrรà¸pa and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l of

> > > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brรà¸singamen, Heimdall

> contends with Loki

> > > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brรà¸singamen 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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l, Freyja is the wife of

> ร " รà¸r,[37] not a concubine of Odin.

> > > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist

> in any

> > > sources beside Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr, 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 Hรถรà¸r (Hรธtherus) 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 Sรà¸r (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for

> marriage by a giant,

> > > and she travelled seeking for ร " รà¸r (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 Smรฅland,

> > > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning

> in this

> > > respect:[39]

> > >

> > > Jag minns en sรถndag pรฅ 1880-talet, det var nรฅgra

> gubbar ute och gick bland

> > > รฅkrarna och tittade pรฅ rรฅgen som snart var mogen.

> Dรฅ sa Mรฅns i Karryd: " Nu รค

> > > Frรถa ute รฅ sir รคtter om rรฅjen รคr mogen. "

> [...] Nรคr jag som liten pojke satt

> > > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dรฅtida barn

> mycket rรคdd fรถr

> > > รฅskan. Nรคr kornblixtarna syntes om kvรคllarna, sade

> Katrina: " Du sa inte va

> > > rรคdd barn lella, dรค รค bara Frรถa som รค ute

> รฅ slรฅr ell med stรฅl รฅ flenta fรถr รฅ

> > > si etter om kornet รค moet. Ho รค snรคll ve folk

> รฅ gรถr dรค bare fรถr รฅ hjรคlpa, ho

> > > gรถr inte som Tor, han slรฅr ihjรคl bรฅde folk

> รฅ fรค, nรคr han lynna [...] Jag har

> > > sedan hรถrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pรฅ

> ungefรคr samma sรคtt.[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 Mรฅns 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 Vรคrend, 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: Frฤซge

> > >

> > > 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 Frรฎia or Frรปa (Frรภ" 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 Njรถrรà¸r,

> 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 Grรà¸mnismรà¸l:

> > >

> > > The ninth is Fรภ" 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 (ร�orgerรà¸r), 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 ร " รà¸al property, explains

> that Odin's

> > > warriors are " the offensive, " or those who dedicate their life to

> fighting.

> > > Freyjaโ€�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] Brรà¸singamen

> > >

> > > Main article: Brรà¸singamen

> > >

> > > Brรà¸singamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of

> gold and amber,

> > > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings,

> Brรà¸singamen is

> > > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Blommรฉr.

> > >

> > > 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 Hyndluljรภ" รà¸. Later we are

> told that the boar

> > > is her protรฉgรฉ, ร " ttar, but it seems that ร " ttar was

> temporarily disguised as

> > > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is ร " 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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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

> > >

> > > Frรธya, Frรถa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form.

> > >

> > > Frรถe - a Danish form

> > >

> > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as

> the fair sun

> > > " den vรคna solen " (Vana: from " Vanir " , means beautiful[50])

> > >

> > > Friia, Frฤซa - second Merseburg Charm

> > >

> > > Frija - variant of Friia

> > >

> > > Freija - Finnish form

> > >

> > > [edit] Other forms

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hรคrnevi which means " Hรถrn'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:

> > >

> > > Vanadรà¸s, which means " Dรà¸s of the Vanir " or " fair

> goddess " (vรคna means

> > > beautiful);

> > >

> > > Mardรถll, which means " sea-bright " (mar: " sea " , dรถll:

> feminine of dallr

> > > bright light " , cf. Heimdallr);

> > >

> > > Hรถrn, which may be related to the word hรถrr meaning

> " flax " , " linen " ;

> > >

> > > Gefn, which means " the giver " , is a suitable name for a fertility

> goddess;

> > >

> > > Sรà¸r, 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. Valfaรà¸ir

> > > 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

> > >

> > > Rรภ" 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 Mardรถll:

> > >

> > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings,

> > >

> > > The Tear of Mardรถll 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 Mardรถll,

> > >

> > > Fire-flame of ร " run,

> > >

> > > Idi's fine Speeches.

> > >

> > > Gold is called Tears of ร " รà¸r's Bride:

> > >

> > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice,

> > >

> > > With tear-gold is unminished,

> > >

> > > The Eye-rain of ร " รà¸r's Bride:

> > >

> > > His age the King so useth.

> > >

> > > Jewel is called Child of Hรถrn:

> > >

> > > Hรถrn'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 Frรภ" di's seed-gold's fostering.

> > >

> > > Gem is called Child of Njรถrรà¸r's Daughter:

> > >

> > > A defence of songs full goodly

> > >

> > > He freely gave me, neighbor

> > >

> > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly

> > >

> > > Njรถrรà¸r'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 Frรธy- as the first element in their

> names, and the

> > > most common are the name Frรธyland (13 farms). But whether

> Frรธy- in these

> > > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is

> questionable

> > > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frรธyjuhof, 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,

> > > Frรธyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjรธrdal.

> There are also two

> > > islands named Frรธya in Norway.

> > >

> > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies

> the farm

> > > Ryland (Norse Rรà¸gjarland). The first element is the genitive

> case of rรà¸gr

> > > 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 ร�รภ" rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible

> that rรà¸gr (lady) here

> > > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A

> > > sideform of the word (rรà¸gja) 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 frigedรฆg, 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

> Freyjaโ€ " such as

> > > Frฤซatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German,

> Freyjudagr in Old

> > > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and

> Danishโ€ " 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

> > > Vanadรà¸s. 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 Njรถrรà¸r through etymological

> connections. The first

> > > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter.

> Njรถrรà¸r 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 Nรคsstrรถm 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 Walkรผre, Siegfried, and Gรถtterdรคmmerung. 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 ร�sir, 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

> Vรถluspรà¸, is

> > > another name for Freyja.

> > >

> > > [edit] See also

> > >

> > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Blรภ" t

> > >

> > > Hรถrgr

> > >

> > > 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 Sรธrensen, P. (1998):

> Mรคnniskor och makter i

> > > vikingarnas vรคrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72

> > >

> > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrรบnargrรà¸tr. Undersรถkningar i

> Germanisk Mythologi by

> > > Viktor Eydberg (1889)

> > >

> > > ^ Saga of Hรฅkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och

> jรคttar i tro och

> > > tradition by Ebbe Schรถn.

> > >

> > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda,

> Grรà¸mnismรà¸l.

> > >

> > > ^ 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,

> > > Nordmรฆndenes 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 Sรฆmundar

> Hinns Froรà¸a: The

> > > Edda Of Sรฆmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trรผbner &

> 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. " Fรคdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers'

> Godsagas) (1887).

> > > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978-4

> > >

> > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vรคrldens 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 Bjรถrnsson'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).

> > >

> > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 sรถgur

> > >

> > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,

> > > Foresman & Co. (1901).

> > >

> > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book.

> Norrรฆna

> > > Society, London (1908).

> > >

> > > ^ This short story is also known as " The Saga of Hรถgni 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 Vรถluspรà¸. The Prose Edda,

> Gylfaginning (section

> > > 35) and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och

> jรคttar i tro och

> > > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 227-228.

> > >

> > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gรถth, cited in Schรถn, Ebbe.

> (2004). Asa-Tors

> > > hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och tradition. Fรคlt &

> Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. 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, Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (Section XX).

> > >

> > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London:

> Everyman

> > > ISBN 0-460-87616-3.

> > >

> > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guรà¸ni Jรภ" nsson's Edition.

> > >

> > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 nยà¸80 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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och

> jรคttar i tro och

> > > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 228.

> > >

> > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schรผtte.

> > >

> > > ^ Nรคsstrรถm, 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, Nรคsstrรถm. 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 โ€ข d โ€ข e

> > >

> > > Norse mythology and paganism

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Deities,

> > >

> > > heroes,

> > >

> > > and figuresร�sirBaldr ยท Bragi ยท Forseti ยท

> Dellingr ยท Freyr ยท Heimdallr ยท

> > > Hermรภ" รà¸r ยท Hรถรà¸r ยท Hล " nir ยท

> Loki ยท Meili ยท Lรภ" รà¸urr ยท Mรà¸mir ยท

> Njรถrรà¸r ยท ร " รà¸inn ยท

> > > ร " รà¸r ยท ร�รภ" rr ยท Tรà¸r ยท Ullr

> ยท Vรà¸li ยท Vรà¸à¸£à¸arr ยท Vili and Vรฉ

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ร�synjurBil ยท Eir ยท Freyja ยท Frigg ยท Fulla

> ยท Gerรà¸r ยท Gefjon ยท Gnรภยท Hlรà¸n ยท

> > > Ilmr ยท Iรà¸unn ยท Irpa ยท Lofn ยท Nanna ยท

> Njรถrun ยท Rรà¸n ยท Rindr ยท Sรà¸ga ยท Sif

> ยท

> > > Sigyn ยท Sjรถfn ยท Skaรà¸i ยท Snotra ยท

> Sรภ" l ยท Syn ยท ร�orgerรà¸r

> Hรถlgabrรบรà¸r ยท ร�rรบรà¸r ยท

> > > Vรà¸r ยท Vรถr

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > OthersAsk and Embla ยท Dรà¸s (Norns ยท Valkyries)

> ยท Dwarves ยท Einherjar ยท Elves

> > > (Light elves ยท Dark elves) ยท Fenrir ยท Hel ยท

> Jรถrmungandr ยท Giants ยท Sigurd ยท

> > > Trolls ยท Vรถlundr

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > LocationsAsgard ยท Bifrรถst ยท Fรภ" lkvangr ยท

> Ginnungagap ยท Hel ยท Midgard ยท

> > > Mรบspellsheimr ยท Niflheim ยท Valhalla ยท

> Vรà¸grรà¸à¸£à¸r ยท Wells (Mรà¸misbrunnr ยท

> > > Hvergelmir ยท Urรà¸arbrunnr) ยท Yggdrasil

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Eventsร�sirโ€ " Vanir Warโ€� ยท Fimbulvetr ยท

> Ragnarรถk

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > SourcesGesta Danorum ยท Poetic Edda ยท Prose Edda ยท

> Runestones ยท Sagas ยท

> > > Tyrfing Cycle ยท Vรถlsung Cycle ยท Old Norse language

> ยท Orthography ยท Later

> > > influence

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > SocietyBlรภ" t ยท Fรฉlag ยท Germanic calendar ยท

> Heiti ยท Hรถrgr ยท Kenning ยท Mead

> > > hall ยท Nฤซรพ ยท Norse pagan worship ยท

> Numbers ยท Runic calendar ยท Seiรà¸r ยท Skald

> > > ยท Viking Age ยท Vรถlva

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > OriginsGermanic paganism ยท Proto-Indo-European religion

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > See alsoNorse gods ยท Mythological Norse people, items and

> places ยท ร�satrรบ

> > >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Reb,

I'm so sorry for your loss. Anytime of year, losing a loved one is

lousy, but especially lousy at this time of year. I will keep the family

and yourself & in my thoughts as the days go by.

HUGS

|)onna

Reb D wrote:

>

>

> 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 ร " รà¸r, each people gave her a

> different name " .)[21] In

> > > Gesta Danorum is another story of a beautiful woman named Sรà¸r

> (Latinized as

> > > Syritha) seeking for ร " รà¸r/ร " 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 Iรà¸unn: The giant Thjazi captured Loki and

> forced him to

> > > lure Iรà¸unn out to kidnap her along with the golden apples.

> Without the

> > > apples of youth, the gods grew old and they soon found out that

> Iรà¸unn 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 Iรà¸unn. Thjazi chased after them in eagle form,

> but he was

> > > roasted by the gods' fire. Thjazi is father of Skaรà¸i, who

> later became Freyr

> > > and Freyja's stepmother. Skaรà¸i's march to Asgard for

> vengeance ended in a

> > > marriage with Njรถrรà¸r. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 ร�jรà¸lfi, 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. (Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (17))

> > >

> > > Baldur's funeral: Baldur, the best of the ร�sir, 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 Hรถdr 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:

> > >

> > > " Dรภ" ttir Njarรà¸ar var Freyja, hon var blรภ" tgyรà¸ja,

> ok hon kendi fyrst meรภร�sum

> > > seiรà¸, sem Vรถnum var tรà¸tt. ร�รภer

> Njรถrรà¸r var meรภVรถnum, รพรภhafรà¸i

> hann รà¸tta

> > > systr sรà¸na รพvรภat รพat vรà¸ru รพar

> lรถg; vรà¸ru รพeirra bรถrn Freyr ok Freyja. En รพat

> > > var bannat meรภร�sum at byggja svรภnรà¸it at

> frรฆndsemi. " " Njรถrรà¸r's daughter

> > > Freyja was priestess of the sacrifices, and first taught the

> ร�sir the magic

> > > art, as it was in use and fashion among the Vanir. While

> Njรถrรà¸r 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

> ร�sir it was

> > > forbidden to intermarry with such near relations. "

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > After the deaths of Odin, Njรถrรà¸r, and Freyr:

> > >

> > > " Freyja hรฉlt รพรภupp blรภ" tum, รพvรภat

> hon ein lifรà¸i รพรภeptir goรà¸anna, ok varรà¸

> > > hon รพรภhin frรฆgsta, svรภat meรภhennar

> nafni skyldi kalla allar konur tignar,

> > > svรภsem nรบ heita frรบvor. Svรภheitir ok hver

> freyja yfir sinni eign, en sรบ

> > > hรบsfreyja, er bรบ รà¸. Freyja var heldr marglynd;

> ร " รà¸r hรฉt bรภ" ndi hennar, dรฆtr

> > > hennar hรฉtu Hnoss ok Gersemi; รพรฆr vรà¸ru fagrar

> mjรถg: af รพeirra nafni eru svรà¸

> > > kallaรà¸ir hinir dรà¸rstu 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 Frรบ (Frau

> in German); so

> > > that every woman is called frรบ (frau in German), or mistress

> over her

> > > property, and the wife is called the house-Frรบ (Ehefrau in

> German). Freyja

> > > continued the blood-sacrifices. Freyja had also many other names. Her

> > > husband was called ร " รà¸r, 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 Hรฅkon 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, Njรถrรà¸r'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 ร�orgerรà¸r 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 Hรà¸lfs 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 ร " รà¸r:

> > >

> > > Freyja one day

> > >

> > > Falcon-wings took, and through space hied away.

> > >

> > > Northward and southward she sought her

> > >

> > > Dearly-loved Oder.

> > >

> > > According to Njรà¸ls 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. Hallfreรà¸r vandrรฆรà¸askรà¸ld, 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] Flateyjarbรภ" k

> > >

> > > Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr is a short story in the later and

> extended version of the Saga

> > > of Olaf Tryggvason[33] in the manuscript of the Flateyjarbรภ" 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

> > > Hรบsdrรà¸pa poem (of Loki stealing Brisingamen), and the

> eternal battle

> > > Hjaรà¸ningavรà¸g. In the end of the story, the arrival of

> Christianity dissolves

> > > the old curse that traditionally was to endure until Ragnarรถk.

> > >

> > > " 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 Hรถgni and king Heรà¸inn 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 Flateyjarbรภ" 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 Hรถgni and Heรà¸inn is recorded in the

> skaldic poem Ragnarsdrรà¸pa

> > > and in Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (section 49): king Hรถgni's

> daughter, Hildr, is

> > > kidnapped by king Heรà¸inn. When Hรถgni comes to fight

> Heรà¸inn on an island,

> > > Hildr comes to offer her father a necklace on behalf of

> Heรà¸inn for peace;

> > > but the two kings still battle, and Hildr resurrects the fallen to

> make them

> > > fight until Ragnarรถk.[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

> > > Brรà¸singamen is recorded in the skaldic poem

> Hรบsdrรà¸pa and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l of

> > > the Prose Edda: Loki one day steals Brรà¸singamen, Heimdall

> contends with Loki

> > > at Singasteinn, where he wins and returns Brรà¸singamen 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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l, Freyja is the wife of

> ร " รà¸r,[37] not a concubine of Odin.

> > > The part of how Freyja obtained a golden necklace does not exist

> in any

> > > sources beside Sรถrla รพรà¸ttr, 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 Hรถรà¸r (Hรธtherus) 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 Sรà¸r (Syritha), a beautiful woman wanted for

> marriage by a giant,

> > > and she travelled seeking for ร " รà¸r (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 Smรฅland,

> > > there is an account of how she was connected with sheet lightning

> in this

> > > respect:[39]

> > >

> > > Jag minns en sรถndag pรฅ 1880-talet, det var nรฅgra

> gubbar ute och gick bland

> > > รฅkrarna och tittade pรฅ rรฅgen som snart var mogen.

> Dรฅ sa Mรฅns i Karryd: " Nu รค

> > > Frรถa ute รฅ sir รคtter om rรฅjen รคr mogen. "

> [...] Nรคr jag som liten pojke satt

> > > hos den gamla Stolta-Katrina, var jag som alla dรฅtida barn

> mycket rรคdd fรถr

> > > รฅskan. Nรคr kornblixtarna syntes om kvรคllarna, sade

> Katrina: " Du sa inte va

> > > rรคdd barn lella, dรค รค bara Frรถa som รค ute

> รฅ slรฅr ell med stรฅl รฅ flenta fรถr รฅ

> > > si etter om kornet รค moet. Ho รค snรคll ve folk

> รฅ gรถr dรค bare fรถr รฅ hjรคlpa, ho

> > > gรถr inte som Tor, han slรฅr ihjรคl bรฅde folk

> รฅ fรค, nรคr han lynna [...] Jag har

> > > sedan hรถrt flera gamla tala om samma sak, pรฅ

> ungefรคr samma sรคtt.[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 Mรฅns 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 Vรคrend, 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: Frฤซge

> > >

> > > 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 Frรฎia or Frรปa (Frรภ" 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 Njรถrรà¸r,

> 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 Grรà¸mnismรà¸l:

> > >

> > > The ninth is Fรภ" 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 (ร�orgerรà¸r), 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 ร " รà¸al property, explains

> that Odin's

> > > warriors are " the offensive, " or those who dedicate their life to

> fighting.

> > > Freyjaโ€�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] Brรà¸singamen

> > >

> > > Main article: Brรà¸singamen

> > >

> > > Brรà¸singamen is Freyja's famous necklace reputedly made of

> gold and amber,

> > > which also appears in Beowulf. In some mythological writings,

> Brรà¸singamen is

> > > assigned to Frigg.[7] In Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Blommรฉr.

> > >

> > > 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 Hyndluljรภ" รà¸. Later we are

> told that the boar

> > > is her protรฉgรฉ, ร " ttar, but it seems that ร " ttar was

> temporarily disguised as

> > > Hildisvini, not that Hildisvini is ร " 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 Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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

> > >

> > > Frรธya, Frรถa - common Norwegian, and rural Swedish form.

> > >

> > > Frรถe - a Danish form

> > >

> > > Froijenborg - Swedish folk song, in which she is referred to as

> the fair sun

> > > " den vรคna solen " (Vana: from " Vanir " , means beautiful[50])

> > >

> > > Friia, Frฤซa - second Merseburg Charm

> > >

> > > Frija - variant of Friia

> > >

> > > Freija - Finnish form

> > >

> > > [edit] Other forms

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hรคrnevi which means " Hรถrn'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:

> > >

> > > Vanadรà¸s, which means " Dรà¸s of the Vanir " or " fair

> goddess " (vรคna means

> > > beautiful);

> > >

> > > Mardรถll, which means " sea-bright " (mar: " sea " , dรถll:

> feminine of dallr

> > > bright light " , cf. Heimdallr);

> > >

> > > Hรถrn, which may be related to the word hรถrr meaning

> " flax " , " linen " ;

> > >

> > > Gefn, which means " the giver " , is a suitable name for a fertility

> goddess;

> > >

> > > Sรà¸r, 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. Valfaรà¸ir

> > > 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

> > >

> > > Rรภ" 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 Mardรถll:

> > >

> > > Where, mounted 'twixt the carvings,

> > >

> > > The Tear of Mardรถll 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 Mardรถll,

> > >

> > > Fire-flame of ร " run,

> > >

> > > Idi's fine Speeches.

> > >

> > > Gold is called Tears of ร " รà¸r's Bride:

> > >

> > > The shield, tempest's strong roof-ice,

> > >

> > > With tear-gold is unminished,

> > >

> > > The Eye-rain of ร " รà¸r's Bride:

> > >

> > > His age the King so useth.

> > >

> > > Jewel is called Child of Hรถrn:

> > >

> > > Hรถrn'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 Frรภ" di's seed-gold's fostering.

> > >

> > > Gem is called Child of Njรถrรà¸r's Daughter:

> > >

> > > A defence of songs full goodly

> > >

> > > He freely gave me, neighbor

> > >

> > > Of sea-scales: I praise gladly

> > >

> > > Njรถrรà¸r'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 Frรธy- as the first element in their

> names, and the

> > > most common are the name Frรธyland (13 farms). But whether

> Frรธy- in these

> > > names are referring to the goddess Freyja (or the god Freyr) is

> questionable

> > > and uncertain. The first element in the name Frรธyjuhof, 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,

> > > Frรธyjuhof, also occur in the parishes Hole and Stjรธrdal.

> There are also two

> > > islands named Frรธya in Norway.

> > >

> > > In the parish of Seim, in the county of Hordaland, Norway, lies

> the farm

> > > Ryland (Norse Rรà¸gjarland). The first element is the genitive

> case of rรà¸gr

> > > 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 ร�รภ" rsland 'Thor's land') it is possible

> that rรà¸gr (lady) here

> > > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A

> > > sideform of the word (rรà¸gja) 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 frigedรฆg, 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

> Freyjaโ€ " such as

> > > Frฤซatag in Old High German, Freitag in Modern German,

> Freyjudagr in Old

> > > Norse, Vrijdag in Dutch, Fredag in Swedish, Norwegian, and

> Danishโ€ " 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

> > > Vanadรà¸s. 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 Njรถrรà¸r through etymological

> connections. The first

> > > name is the exact older linguistical stage of the latter.

> Njรถrรà¸r 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 Nรคsstrรถm 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 Walkรผre, Siegfried, and Gรถtterdรคmmerung. 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 ร�sir, 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

> Vรถluspรà¸, is

> > > another name for Freyja.

> > >

> > > [edit] See also

> > >

> > > Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Freyja

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Blรภ" t

> > >

> > > Hรถrgr

> > >

> > > 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 Sรธrensen, P. (1998):

> Mรคnniskor och makter i

> > > vikingarnas vรคrld. ISBN 9173245917 p.72

> > >

> > > ^ The Poetic Edda, Oddrรบnargrรà¸tr. Undersรถkningar i

> Germanisk Mythologi by

> > > Viktor Eydberg (1889)

> > >

> > > ^ Saga of Hรฅkon the Good. Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och

> jรคttar i tro och

> > > tradition by Ebbe Schรถn.

> > >

> > > ^ The Prose Edda, Gylfaginning. The Poetic Edda,

> Grรà¸mnismรà¸l.

> > >

> > > ^ 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,

> > > Nordmรฆndenes 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 Sรฆmundar

> Hinns Froรà¸a: The

> > > Edda Of Sรฆmund The Learned. (2 vols.) London: Trรผbner &

> 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. " Fรคdernas Gudasaga (Our Fathers'

> Godsagas) (1887).

> > > P. Reaves transl. iUniverse (2003) ISBN 0-595-29978-4

> > >

> > > ^ Onsell, Birgitta. 'Vรคrldens 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 Bjรถrnsson'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).

> > >

> > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 sรถgur

> > >

> > > ^ The Younger Edda. Rasmus B. transl. (1897) Chicago: ,

> > > Foresman & Co. (1901).

> > >

> > > ^ a b Rasmus B. , Introduction to the The Flatey Book.

> Norrรฆna

> > > Society, London (1908).

> > >

> > > ^ This short story is also known as " The Saga of Hรถgni 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 Vรถluspรà¸. The Prose Edda,

> Gylfaginning (section

> > > 35) and Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och

> jรคttar i tro och

> > > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 227-228.

> > >

> > > ^ The writer Johan Alfred Gรถth, cited in Schรถn, Ebbe.

> (2004). Asa-Tors

> > > hammare, Gudar och jรคttar i tro och tradition. Fรคlt &

> Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. 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, Skรà¸ldskaparmรà¸l (Section XX).

> > >

> > > ^ Snorri Sturluson's Edda, Faulkes, transl. (1995) London:

> Everyman

> > > ISBN 0-460-87616-3.

> > >

> > > '^ Snorra Edda, Guรà¸ni Jรภ" nsson's Edition.

> > >

> > > ^ Njรà¸l'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 nยà¸80 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 Schรถn, Ebbe. (2004). Asa-Tors hammare, Gudar och

> jรคttar i tro och

> > > tradition. Fรคlt & Hรคssler, Vรคrnamo. p. 228.

> > >

> > > ^ The Cult of Nerthus (1913), by Gudmund Schรผtte.

> > >

> > > ^ Nรคsstrรถm, 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, Nรคsstrรถm. 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 โ€ข d โ€ข e

> > >

> > > Norse mythology and paganism

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Deities,

> > >

> > > heroes,

> > >

> > > and figuresร�sirBaldr ยท Bragi ยท Forseti ยท

> Dellingr ยท Freyr ยท Heimdallr ยท

> > > Hermรภ" รà¸r ยท Hรถรà¸r ยท Hล " nir ยท

> Loki ยท Meili ยท Lรภ" รà¸urr ยท Mรà¸mir ยท

> Njรถrรà¸r ยท ร " รà¸inn ยท

> > > ร " รà¸r ยท ร�รภ" rr ยท Tรà¸r ยท Ullr

> ยท Vรà¸li ยท Vรà¸à¸£à¸arr ยท Vili and Vรฉ

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ร�synjurBil ยท Eir ยท Freyja ยท Frigg ยท Fulla

> ยท Gerรà¸r ยท Gefjon ยท Gnรภยท Hlรà¸n ยท

> > > Ilmr ยท Iรà¸unn ยท Irpa ยท Lofn ยท Nanna ยท

> Njรถrun ยท Rรà¸n ยท Rindr ยท Sรà¸ga ยท Sif

> ยท

> > > Sigyn ยท Sjรถfn ยท Skaรà¸i ยท Snotra ยท

> Sรภ" l ยท Syn ยท ร�orgerรà¸r

> Hรถlgabrรบรà¸r ยท ร�rรบรà¸r ยท

> > > Vรà¸r ยท Vรถr

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > OthersAsk and Embla ยท Dรà¸s (Norns ยท Valkyries)

> ยท Dwarves ยท Einherjar ยท Elves

> > > (Light elves ยท Dark elves) ยท Fenrir ยท Hel ยท

> Jรถrmungandr ยท Giants ยท Sigurd ยท

> > > Trolls ยท Vรถlundr

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > LocationsAsgard ยท Bifrรถst ยท Fรภ" lkvangr ยท

> Ginnungagap ยท Hel ยท Midgard ยท

> > > Mรบspellsheimr ยท Niflheim ยท Valhalla ยท

> Vรà¸grรà¸à¸£à¸r ยท Wells (Mรà¸misbrunnr ยท

> > > Hvergelmir ยท Urรà¸arbrunnr) ยท Yggdrasil

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Eventsร�sirโ€ " Vanir Warโ€� ยท Fimbulvetr ยท

> Ragnarรถk

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > SourcesGesta Danorum ยท Poetic Edda ยท Prose Edda ยท

> Runestones ยท Sagas ยท

> > > Tyrfing Cycle ยท Vรถlsung Cycle ยท Old Norse language

> ยท Orthography ยท Later

> > > influence

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > SocietyBlรภ" t ยท Fรฉlag ยท Germanic calendar ยท

> Heiti ยท Hรถrgr ยท Kenning ยท Mead

> > > hall ยท Nฤซรพ ยท Norse pagan worship ยท

> Numbers ยท Runic calendar ยท Seiรà¸r ยท Skald

> > > ยท Viking Age ยท Vรถlva

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > OriginsGermanic paganism ยท Proto-Indo-European religion

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > See alsoNorse gods ยท Mythological Norse people, items and

> places ยท ร�satrรบ

> > >

> >

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Reb and I'm so sorry about your loss. It's really tragic how an accident can take someone away forever.You all are in my prayers and thoughts.Take care and hugs to you allTo: MSersLife Sent: Thu, December 31, 2009 1:09:52 PMSubject:

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╕Эr

(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╕Р

р╕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╕Р Vр╕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╕Р р╕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╕Р hennar 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╕Эrstu 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╕Эr (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╕Эr, 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╕Эgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rр╕гр╕Эgr > > 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╕Эgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rр╕гр╕Эgja) 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╕Эr 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> >>

[Guest guest]

Dear Reb and I'm so sorry about your loss. It's really tragic how an accident can take someone away forever.You all are in my prayers and thoughts.Take care and hugs to you allTo: MSersLife Sent: Thu, December 31, 2009 1:09:52 PMSubject:

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╕Эr

(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╕Р

р╕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╕Р Vр╕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╕Р р╕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╕Р hennar 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╕Эrstu 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╕Эr (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╕Эr, 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╕Эgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rр╕гр╕Эgr > > 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╕Эgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rр╕гр╕Эgja) 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╕Эr 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> >>

[Guest guest]

Dear Reb and I'm so sorry about your loss. It's really tragic how an accident can take someone away forever.You all are in my prayers and thoughts.Take care and hugs to you allTo: MSersLife Sent: Thu, December 31, 2009 1:09:52 PMSubject:

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╕Эr

(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╕Р

р╕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╕Р Vр╕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╕Р р╕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╕Р hennar 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╕Эrstu 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╕Эr (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╕Эr, 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╕Эgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rр╕гр╕Эgr > > 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╕Эgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rр╕гр╕Эgja) 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╕Эr 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> >>

[Guest guest]

Hi Reb, I will keep you and your family in my prays and thoughts. I hope that you a great 2010. Margaret A. CoteTo: MSersLife Sent: Thu, December 31, 2009 5:09:52 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╕Эr

(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╕Р

р╕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╕Р Vр╕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╕Р р╕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╕Р hennar 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╕Эrstu 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╕Эr (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╕Эr, 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╕Эgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rр╕гр╕Эgr > > 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╕Эgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rр╕гр╕Эgja) 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╕Эr 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> >>

[Guest guest]

Oh Reb.... I am so, so sorry to hear about your siblings' father. How horrible for something like that to happen... but so much worse for it to happen at Christmas. I will keep them all in my thoughts and prayers.I'm glad your cold is resolving itself. How is ?love Sharonjoin me on Facebook:Sharon Mars wobbletowalk@...This email is a natural hand made product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to

be considered flaws or defects. To: MSersLife Sent: Thu, December 31, 2009 4:09:52 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╕Эr (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╕Р р╕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╕Р Vр╕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╕Р р╕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╕Р hennar 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╕Эrstu 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╕Эr (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╕Эr, 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╕Эgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rр╕гр╕Эgr > > 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╕Эgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rр╕гр╕Эgja) 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╕Эr

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> >>

[Guest guest]

Oh Reb.... I am so, so sorry to hear about your siblings' father. How horrible for something like that to happen... but so much worse for it to happen at Christmas. I will keep them all in my thoughts and prayers.I'm glad your cold is resolving itself. How is ?love Sharonjoin me on Facebook:Sharon Mars wobbletowalk@...This email is a natural hand made product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to

be considered flaws or defects. To: MSersLife Sent: Thu, December 31, 2009 4:09:52 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╕Эr (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╕Р р╕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╕Р Vр╕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╕Р р╕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╕Р hennar 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╕Эrstu 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╕Эr (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╕Эr, 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╕Эgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rр╕гр╕Эgr > > 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╕Эgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rр╕гр╕Эgja) 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╕Эr

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> >>

[Guest guest]

Oh Reb.... I am so, so sorry to hear about your siblings' father. How horrible for something like that to happen... but so much worse for it to happen at Christmas. I will keep them all in my thoughts and prayers.I'm glad your cold is resolving itself. How is ?love Sharonjoin me on Facebook:Sharon Mars wobbletowalk@...This email is a natural hand made product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to

be considered flaws or defects. To: MSersLife Sent: Thu, December 31, 2009 4:09:52 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╕Эr (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╕Р р╕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╕Р Vр╕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╕Р р╕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╕Р hennar 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╕Эrstu 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╕Эr (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╕Эr, 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╕Эgjarland). The first element is the genitive case of rр╕гр╕Эgr > > 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╕Эgr (lady) here> > are referring to a goddess. (And in that case most probably Freyja.) A> > sideform of the word (rр╕гр╕Эgja) 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╕Эr

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> >>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, nne!love/Reb

[Guest guest]

Thank you, nne!love/Reb

[Guest guest]

Thank you, nne!love/Reb

[Guest guest]

Thank you, I)onna. It's much appreciated!love/Reb> > >

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Kate!love/Reb

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Kate!love/Reb

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Kate!love/Reb

[Guest guest]

Thank you, ! We really never do know anything about our tomorrows, or even about the next minute, do we?love/Reb>> Dear Reb and > I'm so sorry about your loss. It's really tragic how an accident can take someone away forever.> You all are in my prayers and thoughts.> Take care and hugs to you all> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you, ! We really never do know anything about our tomorrows, or even about the next minute, do we?love/Reb>> Dear Reb and > I'm so sorry about your loss. It's really tragic how an accident can take someone away forever.> You all are in my prayers and thoughts.> Take care and hugs to you all> >