Norse Gods and Goddesses

Odin Chief of the gods and men – called Allfather Chief of the gods and men – called Allfather Father of Thor, Balder, and other gods Father of Thor, Balder, and other gods Wears winged or floppy hat Wears winged or floppy hat God of magic, wisdom, wit and leaning; later with war and bloodshed God of magic, wisdom, wit and leaning; later with war and bloodshed Odin pierces himself with a spear and hangs on Yggdrasil for 9 days and nights to learn the secret knowledge of runes Odin pierces himself with a spear and hangs on Yggdrasil for 9 days and nights to learn the secret knowledge of runes Has one eye because he traded it for a drink from the spring of clairvoyance to gain inner wisdom Has one eye because he traded it for a drink from the spring of clairvoyance to gain inner wisdom Resides in Valaskjalf (“shelf of the slain”) Resides in Valaskjalf (“shelf of the slain”) Attributes are the spear Gungnir (which never misses its target) the ring Draupnir and his 8-footed steed Sleipnir. Attributes are the spear Gungnir (which never misses its target) the ring Draupnir and his 8-footed steed Sleipnir. During Ragnarok he will be killed by the wolf Fenrir During Ragnarok he will be killed by the wolf Fenrir The day Wednesday is named for him. The day Wednesday is named for him. His two ravens are called Huginn and Muninn (Thought and Memory)

Thor God of thunder and lightning God of thunder and lightning Huge, red-bearded, with burning eyes Huge, red-bearded, with burning eyes Similar to Hercules in his feats of strength and giant-killing. Similar to Hercules in his feats of strength and giant-killing. Son of Odin Son of Odin Mated with giant Jarnsaxa, but his wife is Sif (golden hair) Mated with giant Jarnsaxa, but his wife is Sif (golden hair) Mjolnir (the destroyer) – an ax-hammer that can destroy giants and mountains in a single blow; he also carries a belt of strength and iron glove Mjolnir (the destroyer) – an ax-hammer that can destroy giants and mountains in a single blow; he also carries a belt of strength and iron glove His home was called Bilskirnir His home was called Bilskirnir Has a chariot pulled by two goats. He can kill these goats and eat them and they will come back to life. Has a chariot pulled by two goats. He can kill these goats and eat them and they will come back to life. Is constantly fighting the World Serpent – Jormungand Is constantly fighting the World Serpent – Jormungand He once drank from a horn that was emptying the water from the ocean– gigantic appetite He once drank from a horn that was emptying the water from the ocean– gigantic appetite Thursday is named for him Thursday is named for him Thor’s Helmet

Balder “The Beautiful” and “The Good” “The Beautiful” and “The Good” Son of Odin and Frigg Son of Odin and Frigg Primarily known for his death and resurrection – Loki tricked his brother Hod into killing him with a mistletoe dart Primarily known for his death and resurrection – Loki tricked his brother Hod into killing him with a mistletoe dart His death is the harbinger of Ragnarok His death is the harbinger of Ragnarok After Ragnarok, when a new world arises, Baldor and Hod will be reborn to rule After Ragnarok, when a new world arises, Baldor and Hod will be reborn to rule His hall is Breidablik His hall is Breidablik Considered to be the best of the gods Considered to be the best of the gods Friendly, wise and eloquent, little power Friendly, wise and eloquent, little power

Loki God of mischief and fire God of mischief and fire Trickster figure Trickster figure Assists and causes problems for the gods Assists and causes problems for the gods Shape shifter – appears, as salmon, mare, seal, fly, woman Shape shifter – appears, as salmon, mare, seal, fly, woman Born of giants, but welcomed by the gods Born of giants, but welcomed by the gods Responsible for Balder’s death and punished by having snake venom dripped on his forehead Responsible for Balder’s death and punished by having snake venom dripped on his forehead Jormungand (world serpent), Hel, and Fenrir (wolf) are his children Jormungand (world serpent), Hel, and Fenrir (wolf) are his children Will begin Ragnarok Will begin Ragnarok Fights with the giants during Ragnarok – slayed by Heimdall Fights with the giants during Ragnarok – slayed by Heimdall

Freyr God of sun, rain, and plentiful harvest God of sun, rain, and plentiful harvest God of peace and a brave warrior God of peace and a brave warrior Member of the Vanir Member of the Vanir Gods gave him Alfheimr, the realm of the Elves Gods gave him Alfheimr, the realm of the Elves Marrried to giantess Gerd, son of Njord Marrried to giantess Gerd, son of Njord Rides the dwarf-made boar Gullinbursti – symbol is boar Rides the dwarf-made boar Gullinbursti – symbol is boar Possesses a ship which always has a favorable breeze and can be folded together and carried in a pouch Possesses a ship which always has a favorable breeze and can be folded together and carried in a pouch Killed by the fire demon Surt at Ragnarok Killed by the fire demon Surt at Ragnarok Twin to Freya Twin to Freya Has a sword that can fight by itself, but he gives it away Has a sword that can fight by itself, but he gives it away The boar is his symbol The boar is his symbol

Freya Goddess of love and fertility Goddess of love and fertility Vanir goddess Vanir goddess Most beautiful goddess Most beautiful goddess Patron of crops and birth Patron of crops and birth Daughter of Njord, sister of Freyr Daughter of Njord, sister of Freyr Married to Od, when he died she cried tears of gold Married to Od, when he died she cried tears of gold Attributes are the necklace of Brisings (pure gold), a cloak which allows its wearer to change into a falcon, and a chariot pulled by two cats. Attributes are the necklace of Brisings (pure gold), a cloak which allows its wearer to change into a falcon, and a chariot pulled by two cats. The symbol of sensuality, called upon in matters of love The symbol of sensuality, called upon in matters of love Particularly fond of elves (fairies) Particularly fond of elves (fairies) Divides slain warriors with Odin; ½ go to her palace, ½ go to Valhalla. Women also go to her hall. Divides slain warriors with Odin; ½ go to her palace, ½ go to Valhalla. Women also go to her hall.

Frigg Mother Goddess, Queen of Asgard Mother Goddess, Queen of Asgard Patron of marriage and motherhood Patron of marriage and motherhood Goddess of love and Fertility Goddess of love and Fertility Wife of Odin, mother of Balder and Hod Wife of Odin, mother of Balder and Hod Weaves clouds Weaves clouds She knows events She knows events in the present and future, but is powerless to change them Learning of her son’s (Balder) death, she makes everything promise not to harm him – except the mistletoe Learning of her son’s (Balder) death, she makes everything promise not to harm him – except the mistletoe The term Friday derives from her name The term Friday derives from her name

Heimdall “ World Brightener”, God of light “ World Brightener”, God of light Son of nine mothers Son of nine mothers Born at the end of the world and raised by the force of earth and seawater, and the blood of a boar Born at the end of the world and raised by the force of earth and seawater, and the blood of a boar Carries the horn, Gjallar, which announces gods, warns of danger, and will signal the beginning of Ragnarok Carries the horn, Gjallar, which announces gods, warns of danger, and will signal the beginning of Ragnarok Great hearing (can hear grass grow) and eyesight Great hearing (can hear grass grow) and eyesight Watchman of the gods and guards Bifrost (the rainbow bridge to Asgard) Watchman of the gods and guards Bifrost (the rainbow bridge to Asgard) Will Kill Loki at Ragnarok, but will die from wounds Will Kill Loki at Ragnarok, but will die from wounds Created 3 races of Men: serfs, peasants, and warriors. Created 3 races of Men: serfs, peasants, and warriors.

Tyr God of war and justice God of war and justice Precursor of Odin Precursor of Odin Boldest of the gods, inspires courage and heroism in battle Boldest of the gods, inspires courage and heroism in battle Lost his hand to Fenrir, Loki’s wolf- son Lost his hand to Fenrir, Loki’s wolf- son His symbol is the spear which has become a symbol of justice His symbol is the spear which has become a symbol of justice At Ragnarok, he will kill the hound Garm, the guardian of hell, but he will die from his wounds. At Ragnarok, he will kill the hound Garm, the guardian of hell, but he will die from his wounds.

Hod God of winter and darkness God of winter and darkness Blind Blind Son of Odin and Frigg Son of Odin and Frigg Tricked by Loki into killing Balder with mistletoe Tricked by Loki into killing Balder with mistletoe Vali killed Hod in revenge for Balder Vali killed Hod in revenge for Balder After Ragnarok, he will be reborn and rule with Balder After Ragnarok, he will be reborn and rule with Balder

Idun Goddess of immortality Goddess of immortality Keeps the golden apples of youth Keeps the golden apples of youth Major story deals with a giant who, with Loki’s help, stole the apples, causing the gods to wither Major story deals with a giant who, with Loki’s help, stole the apples, causing the gods to wither Married to Bragi Married to Bragi

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

Hel Daughter of Loki Daughter of Loki Giantess, half alive/half dead Giantess, half alive/half dead Ruler of Helheim, Goddess of death and the underworld Ruler of Helheim, Goddess of death and the underworld Half black/ half white Half black/ half white Her face and body are human but her legs are of a corpse Her face and body are human but her legs are of a corpse Spread the plague with a rake or a broom Spread the plague with a rake or a broom Agrees to release Balder from Helheim if everything weeps for him. Agrees to release Balder from Helheim if everything weeps for him.