 |
AEGIR(HLER): He is the god of the sea, and dwells on
the island of Lessoe (or Hlesey). He is usually depicted
as an old man with a long white beard. He is said to
trigger storms and tempests and, on occasion, even calm
the weather. Aegir is also suspected of greed, often
sinking vessels and bringing them down with him to the
depths of the ocean.
|
|
|
Asgard:
Of the nine worlds, this is the world of the Aesir,
or the warrior gods. In Asgard the gods built their halls,
one of which is Valhalla.
|
|
|
Balder: He is the god of innocence and light, and often
considered to be the most cherished of the Aesir. He is a
son of Odin and Frigga and the twin brother of Hodur.
Balder is usually depicted as a handsome youth with blue
eyes and golden-red hair, which radiates the beams of the
sun and warms the hearts of men. In fact, everything in
the cosmos so loved Balder, that all swore to protect his
life. . .all except a single sprig of mistletoe growing on
an oak tree near the gate of Valhalla. It was from this mistletoe
that Loki fashioned an arrow, which he gave to Hodur. A popular game amongst the gods was to shoot arrows
at Balder, and knowing full well that nothing could kill
him, Balder considered it an exciting sport. However, when
Hodur shot the mistletoe arrow, it instantly killed Balder
and brought untold grief upon the gods. The Norse festival
held on the summer solstice, the longest day of the year,
is in honor of Balder. It is believed to be the
anniversary of his death, as the sun's rays become less
warm and the days grow shorter.
|
|
|
FREY(FREYR/FRO):
He is the powerful god of the fairyland and leader of the
Vanir fertility gods.
|
|
|
FREYA
(FREYJA): She is the personification of the earth.
Sister of Frey and the leader of the Vanir fertility
goddesses.
|
|
|
FRIGGA
(FRIGG): This goddess is Odin's wife, and Balder's
mother. She is the leader of the Aesir goddesses.
|
|
|
HERMOD: One of Odin's sons who traveled to Hel,
attempting to bring his brother Balder back from the
underworld.
|
|
|
HODUR
(HOD): He is the god of darkness, and believed to
be blind and somber. He is a son of Odin and Frigga and
twin brother to Balder. With an arrow given to him by
Loki, Hodur killed the beloved Balder.
|
|
|
IDUN:
She is the personification of spring and youth.
|
|
|
LOKI:
This trickster god is the
son of two giants, but usually dwells in Asgard. He is
associated with mischief and misbehavior. Throughout
history he gradually succumbs to the temptations of evil,
and eventually instigates the death of Balder by supplying
Hodur with the mistletoe arrow. Loki is punished for his
malevolence and is eventually confined until Ragnarok.
|
|
|
NIORD:
He is the god of Summer and is always depicted as a
handsome young man in the prime of youth.
|
|
|
NORNS
(FATES): These three goddesses are the keepers of
destiny. Urd (Fate), Skuld (Being), and Verandi
(Necessity).
|
|
|
ODIN (WUOTAN/WODEN):
He is the holiest of Norse
gods, and sits on the throne of Asgard called Hlidskialf.
All other gods are descended from him, thus he is surnamed
Allfather. He is usually depicted as middle aged with dark
hair (or bald with a hat or hood) and a gray beard. In his
hand he carries the spear Gungnir, and on his finger he
wears the ring Draupnir, a symbol of prosperity. Odin is
always represented with one eye hidden, as he sacrificed
an eye to gain wisdom at Mimir's Well.
|
|
|
SIF:
She is Thor's wife. When
her beautiful hair was cut off by Loki, the dwarfs made
for her a wig to replace it.
|
|
|
SKADI:
She is the goddess of winter, and is associated
with hunting.
|
|
|
THOR:
This powerful god is a son
of Odin, and second in command under his father. He welds
a hammer and is ruler of the sky and thunder.
|
|
|
TYR (TIU/ZIU):
He is the god of war, and
known to be the bravest of the gods.
|
|
|
ULLER: He is the god of
winter. |
|
|
VALI:
This god is a son of Odin, and was born for the
sole purpose of taking vengeance upon Loki for Balder's
murder.
|
|
|
VALKYRS:
These battle women ride
through the clouds and carry the warriors who have died in
battle to Valhalla. It is said that the Valkyrs decide who
will die in combat.
|
|
|
VIDAR:
This god is a son of Odin
and will be the only god to survive Ragnarok. He will live
to avenge the death Odin.
|
The
