Njörd was said to reside in Nóatún, which was located next to the sea. Her father was Njörd (Old Norse: Njörðr) the god of the sea who oversaw the sea, wind and wealth. It is said that she had a twin brother (Freyre) who oversaw the harvest. ( Public domain ) Freya’s Family Tree and the Vanir Godsįreya belonged to a family of Vanir Gods who oversaw most things fertility related. The links to Freya’s responsibilities are clear here she brings life and love.įreyja and the Necklace by James Doyle Penrose. Meanwhile, Gefn translates as “giver” in Old Norse. The manufacture of flax was a woman’s role and was largely associated with weddings because linen was used to make bridal dresses. The link here may be the fact that in Scandinavian culture, linen was an important product which was believed to prevent evil and provide fertility. The name Sýr is sometimes translated to “sow,” but could also mean “to shield” or “protect,” while the name Hörn most likely comes from the Old Norse Horr which translates to “flax” or “linen.” Others think it may be related to the words Brosinga mene from the Beowulf poem.įreya was also known by four other nicknames - Mardöll, Hörn, Gefn, and Sýr. The Norwegian word brisa means shrine and some believe the necklace’s name relates to that. The name is said to translate to “necklace of the Brisings,” however its meaning is unclear. ![]() The necklace seems to have been attributed to Freya in the 13th and 14th centuries by late Old Norse sources. She also owned a necklace named Brísingamen, connected to a story involving the mischievous god Loki. Ellis Davidson also links Freya to horses and argues that they were particularly associated with the goddess and were kept in her holy places. Her brother Freyre was also said to own a boar named Gullinborsti. ![]() Freya was also associated with witchcraft and some myths record her teaching the practice to the Norse Aesir gods.Įvidence for the boar comes from the Hyndluljóð, an ancient Norse poem, which names the animal Hildisvíni. She was also said to have owned either a coat, cloak or dress which was made of falcon feathers. She deemed pigs to be sacred to her, rode a boar and drove a chariot driven by cats. There were many attributes and possessions associated with Freya. ( Public domain ) Freya’s Attributes within Norse Culture Freya drives her cat chariot by Emil Doepler.
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