Odin Odin, the king of the Æsir is the God of War and Death. He is also known as the Sky God and the God of Wisdom and Poetry. Odin is the All-Father of the Nordic Gods and it is believed that he created the Norse universe. He rides on an eight-legged horse called Sleipnir who can run swiftly across the entire universe, and his famous spear is called Gungnir. He also has a precious arm-ring called Draupnir, and two ravens called Hugin and Munin who fly around the universe and tell him about everything that is happening around the world. Geri and Freki, the two wolves are said to accompany him. He is usually shown as a handsome God with a flowing white beard, a rich cloak, a spear and a unique hat. He is the ruler of Valhalla, one of the 12 realms of the Nordic God’s key place called Asgard.   There is a famous legend about why Odin only has one eye. It is said that he had to sacrifice one of his eyes in Mimir’s well and threw himself on his spear to be allowed to drink from the fountain of wisdom which gives a person eternal knowledge. He also hanged himself on the Tree of Life for 9 days and 9 nights to understand the rules of all the worlds. Because of this self- sacrifice, he obtained the secret wisdom and magical knowledge to cure the sick, calm storms and many other things. It is also said that Odin would wear clothes of a plain traveller rather than that of a king and travel the entire universe in search of knowledge. Odin also had the magical powers of shape-shifting. He could take the form of anyone and send his soul into that alternate form. Half of the souls of the heroes who are slain in battles are guided into the halls of Valhalla (Odin’s Hall), by battle maidens called Valkyries. The Norse mythology talks of Odin and his Wild Hunt of dark hooded dead souls, called Valkyries who would ride at night in a group. Human beings would be scared to see them as it meant bad omen like a big war or a disease outbreak. Odin and his wild hunt group was called Odin’s Ride and was often associated with the underworld. It is predicted that Odin will be swallowed by Fenrir, Loki’s son, at Ragnarök. Wednesday is named after Odin. Odin Thor Loki Baldur Heimdall Freyr Hodr Freyja Frigga Sif Previous Next

Thor Thor is the God of thunder and lightning in Norse mythology, and is associated with strength, storms and fertility. He is physically the strongest of the Æsir. Thor is described having a full beard and red hair. Thor has a massive appetite and also gets angry very easily. Thor is the son of Odin and is married to the golden-haired goddess Sif. Sif is known as the Goddess of Earth and Harvest. One famous myth talks of how Loki once angered Thor when he cut Sif’s golden hair locks while she was sleeping. When Thor charged to attack Loki, he immediately compromised with Thor and both of them descended down to Earth to find the dwarves who were master craftsmen and could make a golden head-dress for Sif. That is also when as a compromise, Loki gifted Thor the short-handled war hammer, Mjölnir which was made by the dwarven brothers Eitri and Brokk and is believed to be the most powerful weapon ever made. When Thor threw the hammer, it magically returned into his hands. Thor is sometimes depicted in a chariot pulled by two goats named Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr. Legends say that Thor is the strongest of the God and hence was put in charge of protecting Asgard. In one famous myth, there was a giant called Hrungnir who had taken part in a race where Odin was also there. Odin then invited him for a drink but after some time the drunk Hrungnir started threatening to destroy Asgard. Odin called Thor who flung his hammer at Hrungnir. Hrungnir retaliated by throwing a giant rock at Thor. Thor’s hammer broke the stone mid-air and then killed Hrungnir. There is another legend where the brave Thor was sent to fight a giant sea serpent and bring his cauldron for the Gods to brew ale for themselves. Thor went to meet a Jotunn named Hymir and the duo went fishing together. Hymir caught some big whales while in Thor’s fishing trap landed a serpent of Midguard. Thor with his hammer smashed the serpent who managed to escape into the water despite being hurt. Once the serpent escaped, Hymir also tried to kill Thor but met his end instead. Thursday is named after Thor. Norse Mythology Odin Norse Mythology Thor Norse Mythology Loki Norse Mythology Baldur Norse Mythology Heimdall Norse Mythology Freyr Norse Mythology Hodr Norse Mythology Freyja Norse Mythology Frigga Norse Mythology Sif Previous Next

Loki Loki is the God of mischief and trickery. He is seen as the personification of chaos. Loki is always upto some tricks and is always known to be scheming against the Gods. While many times, Loki has helped Odin and Thor in their pursuits, he is also famous for creating embarrassing situations for them. Loki possesses the ability to shapeshift into anything. He is known to take the form of a Jotunn woman, a mare and a salmon. At Ragnarök, Loki was freed by the giants, and he fought against his rival, the God Heimdall, resulting in them both dying. Once, Loki shapeshifted into a mare and birthed the son of a horse. The Norse myth around this eight-legged horse, called Sleipnir, the favorite horse of Odin is a very interesting myth. After the Gods created the world, they wanted to fortify the walls of Asgard. They contacted a builder who promised to complete this task in three seasons. As a payment of his good work, he wanted to marry Goddess Freyja and also wanted the Sun and the Moon as his gifts. The Gods agreed but also specified that the task should be completed by the builder without any help. The builder requested to take help from his horse, which the God’s agreed at Loki’s insistence who also reduced the timeline to one season instead of three. When the work started, the Gods marveled at the strength and speed of the horse whose name was Svaoilfari. Because of the horse’s speed, it looked like the task would get completed before time. This worried the Gods who blamed Loki for his bad negotiation skills. That is when Loki took the shape of a beautiful mare and attracted Svaoilfari, who had forgotten the task given to him by the builder. While the work came to a halt and the builder lost due to extended time, Loki got impregnated and gave birth to the famous Sleipnir who was the handsome, grey colored, eight-legged stallion. As he was the fastest in all  the nine realms, Odin chose him as his horse. Loki also has many monstrous children. Some of them include Hel and Fenrir. He and his children went against the Gods during Ragnarök. When Odin and Thor had approached the dwarves to make a head-dress for Sif, Thor’s wife, he also got the other dwarves to make interesting gifts for the other Gods. The foldable ship- Skioblaonir was made for Freyr, the God of prosperity and peace. Odin’s spear – the Gungnir and his golden ring – Draupnir was also made by the dwarves on Loki’s request. Another dwarf created a golden boar for Freyr who was faster than all horses apart from Odin’s Sleipnir. Loki also got Thor’s hammer created by the dwarves. All these items helped the Gods in the future battles and victories. Norse Mythology Odin Norse Mythology Thor Norse Mythology Loki Norse Mythology Baldur Norse Mythology Heimdall Norse Mythology Freyr Norse Mythology Hodr Norse Mythology Freyja Norse Mythology Frigga Norse Mythology Sif Previous Next

Baldur Baldur is the God of light, radiance, peace and forgiveness. He is the son of Odin and Frigga and is the twin brother of Hod. He was one of the most loved Gods as he was generous, joyous and made everyone happy. Baldur once had a nightmare that he would be killed. His mother, Frigga told Odin to decipher this nightmare. Odin mounted on his stallion, Sleipnir and visited a dead sorceress who lived in the underworld. Odin disguised himself as a traveller. When he entered the underworld, he saw a grand feast laid out and welcome arrangements being done. Odin woke the sorceress and asked her the reason for the celebration, to which she responded that the welcome arrangements were made for Baldur. When Odin returned back, he told his wife Frigga about the prophecy. Frigga made all the things across the Nine Realms vow not to hurt or harm Baldur. Hence, Baldur could not be hurt by fire, water, iron or any other metals, stones, trees, illness, poison, any beast, bird or animal etc. Frigga then was calmed as in a way she had made her son immortal and hence his nightmare would not come true. The other Gods, out of a friendly joke would also throw stones of weapons at Baldur as he could not be killed. The mistletoe did not vow. However, as Frigg considered it to be so unimportant and harmless, that she thought nothing of it. Once Loki found out that the mistletoe had not vowed, he made a spear out of the mistletoe leaves. Loki then approached Hodr who is the blind God and tricked him into throwing the spear at Baldur. He told him to participate in the fun event of throwing weapons in Baldur’s honour, like the other Gods had done, and directed the angle with which the spear was to be thrown. The spear pierced through Baldur and instantly killed him. While everyone wept at this tragedy, Baldur had a grand funeral. The Gods realized that Loki’s trick and mischief had gone beyond the normal this time. They also made the mistletoe promise never to hurt anyone in the future and only be linked to happiness. That is why the myth of hanging the mistletoe and kissing under the mistletoe originated which symbolizes goodness and happiness. Norse Mythology Odin Norse Mythology Thor Norse Mythology Loki Norse Mythology Baldur Norse Mythology Heimdall Norse Mythology Freyr Norse Mythology Hodr Norse Mythology Freyja Norse Mythology Frigga Norse Mythology Sif Previous Next

Heimdall Heimdall is the Guardian of the Bifrost, the rainbow bridge and the Heaven’s Milky Way. He is said to live in a fortress near the magical Bifrost bridge which connects Asgard and other realms as well as the human realm of Midguard. That way, he is able to guard Asgard. The meaning of his name is “one who shines over the world”. He is known as the father of mankind. He is said to be the son of 9 mothers, who were all daughters of the sea God, Aegir and is known as the White God with golden teeth. His 9 mothers personified the waves and hence the association with the colour white and with beauty. Heimdall blows a horn called the Gjallarhorn, if Asgard is in danger. His senses are so advanced that he can hear the grass grow and can see till the end of the world due to his sharp vision. His vision is powerful during night as well as day. He is said to have sacrificed one of his ears to gain these unique senses. Heimdall is famous for his “golden tooth” and his horse, Gulltopp has a golden mane. Heimdall needs very less sleep. He is also known as a skilled and able warrior and his sharp sword Hofud was known to cut through anything. In one of the legendary stories, Heimdall tells Thor how to recover his stolen hammer from the giant Thrym. Heimdall was said to be the last of the Gods to die at Ragnarök- which means the end of the world. At this time, Heimdall blew his horn and awakened all the Gods. He and Loki were arch nemesis and they battled with each other and both died in this battle. Norse Mythology Odin Norse Mythology Thor Norse Mythology Loki Norse Mythology Baldur Norse Mythology Heimdall Norse Mythology Freyr Norse Mythology Hodr Norse Mythology Freyja Norse Mythology Frigga Norse Mythology Sif Previous Next

Freyr Freyr is the God of harvest and fertility, rain and sunshine. He is the member of the Vanir tribe and is the twin brother of Freyja. Freyr rides into battle on the massive shining boat- Gullinbursti and possesses the mighty ship- Skídbladnir, both forged by the dwarf brothers, Eitri and Brokk. Skídbladnir is said to always have a favorable breeze and can be folded together and carried in a pouch when not in use. Freyr once wielded the legendary sword- Sümrbrandr, which was said to be able to fight by itself. He lives in Alfheim with the light elves. Alfheim is said to be the most beautiful of all realms. During the war between the Vanir and the Aesir tribes, both Freyja and Freyr fought valiantly along with their father, Njord, the Lord of the Sea, the Gods were exchanged as a part of the truce. That is when the twins and their father were given to Aesir. Initially, they were sent as hostages, but over time all three of them assumed important positions in Aesir. Freyr acted as a mediator for the Aesir tribe because of his diplomacy and wisdom. There is a famous myth about Freyr falling in love with the daughter of a giant the moment he saw her. Her name was Gerdr. To ask for the proposal, Freyr sent his trusted servant to the land of the giants with his magical sword and artefacts. While the act of parting with his magical self-yielding sword which had the ability to fight on its own, for the sake of love was a great gesture, this also had consequences for Freyr during the Ragnarok war. Gerdr agreed to meet Freyr in 9 nights and then later married him. Their alliance is an example of true love in Norse mythology. As the God of fertility, farmers would pray to Freyr before sowing their seeds hoping for a bountiful season. Sailors would also seek his protection before embarking on long journeys to save themselves from the unpredictable seas. Couples wishing for a child would pray to Freyr for becoming parents. Norse Mythology Odin Norse Mythology Thor Norse Mythology Loki Norse Mythology Baldur Norse Mythology Heimdall Norse Mythology Freyr Norse Mythology Hodr Norse Mythology Freyja Norse Mythology Frigga Norse Mythology Sif Previous Next

Hodr Hodr is the God of darkness and winter, unlike his twin brother Baldur, the God of light and forgiveness. While Hodr was Baldur’s twin brother, he was the lesser liked child as well as the lesser popular God as compared to his radiant and charming brother, Baldur. Hodr is blind and due to this trait, Loki took advantage of him and made him kill his brother with the mistletoe spear. In Norse Mythology, this holds a unique significance. Baldur’s unfortunate death due to Hodr’s inability to see through the facade that Loki had created, shows how ignorance can lead to damage including end of the world. This inability of seeing through the blindness is the blindness beyond his physical disability. While Hodr killed Baldur unwittingly, despite being tricked by Loki, his act was not forgiven by the Gods. There was a mutual understanding that there should be a punishment for Hodr for this act. That is when, Odin tricked a giantess to conceive a child, who grew fast inside her womb, and become an adult in just one day after his birth. This half-brother of Hodr and Baldur was Vali who was born in Midguard and his sole purpose of birth was to avenge Baldur’s death. Vali travelled across the realms, reached Asgard, and killed Hodr with his arrow in a similar style that Baldur was killed. There is one famous story of the love triangle between Hodr, Baldur and Nanna. Hodr silently loved Nanna which no one was aware of. Baldur and Nanna loved each other and hence Hodr never expressed his love for Nanna. It is also believed that, apart from the strikingly different personalities which made Hodr jealous of Baldur, the common love both had for Nanna was also a key reason for the silent tension and unintentional rivalry. This was also one of the reasons why Loki chose Hodr for his plan to get Baldur killed. According to Norse Mythology, when the God’s gave the apocalypse called Ragnorok- which is end of the world and will result in the deaths of many Gods, it is believed that Hodr and Baldur will rise from the underworld and rule the world together. This would also serve as Hodr’s atonement or redemption as he would be back with his brother arm-in-arm. This makes him an icon in tragedy as well as in redemption. Norse Mythology Odin Norse Mythology Thor Norse Mythology Loki Norse Mythology Baldur Norse Mythology Heimdall Norse Mythology Freyr Norse Mythology Hodr Norse Mythology Freyja Norse Mythology Frigga Norse Mythology Sif Previous Next

Freyja Freyja is the Goddess of love, beauty and fertility and belongs to the Vanir tribe of Gods. Her father, Njord is the God of the sea. She is the twin sister of Freyr, the God of Harvest. She introduced the Gods to Seidr which is a magical practice of predicting as well as changing the future. Freyja is one of the popular and gentler Goddesses in Norse mythology. While Thor used his strength, Odin used his disguises and Loki used his tricks, Freyja was known to use her beauty to get the work done. The most common symbol associated with Freyja is the Brisingamen Necklace – a necklace that was so beautiful that Freyja was willing to go to extreme lengths to have it. One night, she wandered into the land of the dwarves. She saw some dwarves making the necklace and said that she would pay them any amount of money for it. But the dwarves had a condition that Freyja had to spend one night with each of them. Later Loki stole this necklace from her but was eventually recovered by Heimdall and returned to Freyja. Freyja is associated with her golden chariot pulled by two blue cats, which was a gift from Thor. Sometimes she also rode the boar Hildisvini with golden bristles. She also had a cloak made of feathers from the falcon bird. There is one famous myth which talks about how the loyal Freyja travelled across all the realms to search for her lost husband and she wept tears of gold. There is another myth where the giant Thyrm who stole Thor’s hammer agreed to return it only if he got to marry the beautiful Freyja. Another myth also recounts a similar story where a giant builder who agreed to fortify the walls of Asgard asked for the sun, the moon and Freyja’s hand in marriage. In another myth, the giant Hrungnir threatened to destroy Valhalla and sink Asgard but was not keen on killing Freyja. Such was the magic of her beauty that everyone wanted to marry Freyja. Norse Mythology Odin Norse Mythology Thor Norse Mythology Loki Norse Mythology Baldur Norse Mythology Heimdall Norse Mythology Freyr Norse Mythology Hodr Norse Mythology Freyja Norse Mythology Frigga Norse Mythology Sif Previous Next

Frigga Frigga is the Goddess of marriage and motherhood. She is the Queen of the Gods. She is the wife of Odin and the queen of Asgard and is known as the divine mother. She is Baldur, Hodr and Hermond’s mother. Friday is dedicated to her and as she is the goddess of marriage, it is considered most auspicious to have marriages on a Friday. Frigga is often depicted sitting on a throne or holding a commanding pose. She is said to wear a blue-coloured cape or flowing coat that resembles the wide blue sky. Her blue cloak is symbolized as weaving of the clouds and this is symbolic to weaving one’s fate. While Odin is known for his wisdom, it is believed that many a times he would seek guidance from Frigga on a lot of his decisions. Frigga has the gift of prophecy, and hence using the power of her predictions and intelligence, she would give solutions to Odin. There are also many stories where Frigga has also outfoxed Odin and made him eat his humble pie. According to Norse Mythology, Frigga has an interesting birth story. She is the daughter of 2 giants and she has imbibed the feminine attributes and the power of the Earth and the masculine qualities and the power of the Sea from her mother and father respectively. Her birth shows a lovely balance between the world of the Gods and the giants and she is looked as the divine bridge between these two realms. It is said that Baldur’s death had caused lot of grief to Frigga as he was her favourite son. She has also tried multiple solutions to avoid the prophecy that Baldur would get killed. This sad story of Baldur’s death in Norse mythology also provides linkage to the interplay between destiny and divinity. Frigga has a set of falcon plumes which was used by Loki to turn into a falcon many times. One famous story about Frigga is the myth of the missing Brísingamen necklace. Frigga had a strong desire to own this masterpiece which was created by four extremely talented dwarf brothers who were known for their craftsmanship. The necklace was gifted by the dwarves to Freyja who had agreed to their terms and she refused to hand it over to Frigga. Frigga confided to Fulla who convinced Freyja to give the necklace temporarily to Frigga so that she could enjoy some moments with the necklace. There have been many comparisons and people believe that Frigga and Freyja were the same Goddesses. They were different as they came from different tribes but had similar characteristics. Frigga was from the Aesir tribe and Freyja was from the Vanir tribe. Norse Mythology Odin Norse Mythology Thor Norse Mythology Loki Norse Mythology Baldur Norse Mythology Heimdall Norse Mythology Freyr Norse Mythology Hodr Norse Mythology Freyja Norse Mythology Frigga Norse Mythology Sif Previous Next