FallenAngel
11-12-2003, 01:39 PM
I learned a little about Norse mythology today...Namely one goddess, Freya (that's who my av is)
Here is what I learned...
Freya (Freyja, Freyia, Frea) is the Norse mythological goddess of love and beauty. She is also the goddess of youth and fertility, a rather large category that included harvests, fishing, married women, and childbearing. She is considered very sympathetic, especially to lovers and matters of the heart.
Freya is the daughter of Njord, god of seafaring, fishing, and wealth, and the sister to Freyr (Frey), god of fertility, harvests, and wealth. Njord, Freya, and Freyr are Vanir (Vanis, Vanus) and originated from Vanaheim. The Vanir, the sea and wind gods, were at war with the Aesir, the battle gods from Asgard. To end the war, the Vanis and the Aesir agreed to exchange gods. Njord, Freya, and Freyr were sent from Vanaheim to live in Asgard as part of the deal.
Golden-haired and blue-eyed, Freya is the most beautiful of all the Norse goddesses. She dwells in the realm of Folkvang, and her hall is called Sessrumnir. Married to the god Od (Odur), she cried golden tears when he left. She went in search of her husband, traveling across many lands and taking on many names. However, in spite of her love for Od, Freya is also well known (and criticized) for her sensuality and promiscuity. Being very beautiful, she is greatly desired. She takes various lovers among gods and humans, but disdains the giants, several of whom tried to force her into marriage.
Freya is also a goddess of death. She personally rides out onto the battlefield and takes half of the bravest dead, the Einherjar, and brings them to Sessrumnir. The other half of the Einherjar belong to Odin and are selected by his war maidens, the Valkyries (the Choosers of the Slain), and are brought to Valhalla. Freya also welcomes the faithful wives and lovers of the Einherjar to live in her hall. Freya is sometimes called the Queen of the Valkyries.
Having a great fondness for jewels and adornments, Freya owns Brisingamen, a magnificent necklace fashioned by four dwarves. She entreated them to trade her the necklace in exchange for gold, but they refused, and said they would only give it to her if she spent one night with each of them. Freya agreed and obtained the Brisingamen.
Freya possesses a magic falcon skin that allows the wearer to fly across great distances very quickly. She rides in a chariot pulled by two cats. Freya also taught the Aesir a form of magic called Seiyr.
She is often portrayed wearing a corselet and helmet, holding a spear and shield, with her body bared except for feminine garb on the lower part of her body. She likes faeries, and the cat, the swallow, and the cuckoo are identified with her. The boar is also her symbol, and one of her nicknames is Syr, meaning "sow." Friday is supposedly named after her. The name "freya" eventually became used for the term "mistress."
Here is what I learned...
Freya (Freyja, Freyia, Frea) is the Norse mythological goddess of love and beauty. She is also the goddess of youth and fertility, a rather large category that included harvests, fishing, married women, and childbearing. She is considered very sympathetic, especially to lovers and matters of the heart.
Freya is the daughter of Njord, god of seafaring, fishing, and wealth, and the sister to Freyr (Frey), god of fertility, harvests, and wealth. Njord, Freya, and Freyr are Vanir (Vanis, Vanus) and originated from Vanaheim. The Vanir, the sea and wind gods, were at war with the Aesir, the battle gods from Asgard. To end the war, the Vanis and the Aesir agreed to exchange gods. Njord, Freya, and Freyr were sent from Vanaheim to live in Asgard as part of the deal.
Golden-haired and blue-eyed, Freya is the most beautiful of all the Norse goddesses. She dwells in the realm of Folkvang, and her hall is called Sessrumnir. Married to the god Od (Odur), she cried golden tears when he left. She went in search of her husband, traveling across many lands and taking on many names. However, in spite of her love for Od, Freya is also well known (and criticized) for her sensuality and promiscuity. Being very beautiful, she is greatly desired. She takes various lovers among gods and humans, but disdains the giants, several of whom tried to force her into marriage.
Freya is also a goddess of death. She personally rides out onto the battlefield and takes half of the bravest dead, the Einherjar, and brings them to Sessrumnir. The other half of the Einherjar belong to Odin and are selected by his war maidens, the Valkyries (the Choosers of the Slain), and are brought to Valhalla. Freya also welcomes the faithful wives and lovers of the Einherjar to live in her hall. Freya is sometimes called the Queen of the Valkyries.
Having a great fondness for jewels and adornments, Freya owns Brisingamen, a magnificent necklace fashioned by four dwarves. She entreated them to trade her the necklace in exchange for gold, but they refused, and said they would only give it to her if she spent one night with each of them. Freya agreed and obtained the Brisingamen.
Freya possesses a magic falcon skin that allows the wearer to fly across great distances very quickly. She rides in a chariot pulled by two cats. Freya also taught the Aesir a form of magic called Seiyr.
She is often portrayed wearing a corselet and helmet, holding a spear and shield, with her body bared except for feminine garb on the lower part of her body. She likes faeries, and the cat, the swallow, and the cuckoo are identified with her. The boar is also her symbol, and one of her nicknames is Syr, meaning "sow." Friday is supposedly named after her. The name "freya" eventually became used for the term "mistress."