Major Gods and Goddesses in Norse Mythology

The Norse gods were divided into two main groups, Aesir and Vanir, in addition to the giants that came first. Some believe that the Vanir gods represent an age-old native deity encountered by the invading Indo-Europeans. In the end, Aesir, the newcomers, overcame and assimilated Vanir.

Andvari

In Norse mythology , Andvari (Alberich) guards treasures, including Tarnkappe, a cloak of invisibility, and gives Loki Aesir's magical ring, known as Draupnir.

Balder

An 18th-century Icelandic manuscript shows Balder being killed by Hod and Loki. Arni Magnusson Institute, Iceland.

Balder is an Aesir god and the son of Odin and Frigg. Balder is Nanna's husband, Forseti's father. He was killed with a mistletoe thrown by his blind brother Hod. According to Saxo Grammaticus, Hod (Hother) did it himself; others blame Loki.

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Freya

Freyja, Cats and Angels, by Nils Blommer (1816-1853).Thomas Roche / Flickr.com

Freya is a Vanir goddess of sex, fertility, war and wealth, daughter of the Njord. She was taken by Aesir, perhaps as a hostage.

Freyr, Frigg and Hod

The 12th-century tapestry of Odin, Thor and Freyr or the three Christian kings on the tapestry of the 12th-century Skog Church.Skog Church, Hälsingland, Sweden

Freyr

Freyr is a Norse god of weather and fertility; Freya's brother. The dwarves built Freyr a ship, the Skidbladnir, that could hold all the gods or fit in his pocket. Freyr became Aesir's hostage, along with Njord and Freya. He flirts with giant queen Gerd through his servant Skirnir.

Frigg

Frigg is a Norse goddess of love and fertility. In some stories, she is Odin's wife, making her the most important of the Aesir goddesses. She is Balder's mother. Friday is named for her.

Hod

Hod is Odin's son. Hod is the blind god of winter who killed his brother Balder and was later killed by his brother Vali.

Loki, Mimir and Nanna

Loki with his fishing net.Arni Magnusson Institute, Iceland.

Loki

Loki is a giant in Norse mythology. He was also a trickster, the god of thieves, possibly responsible for Balder's death. Odin's adopted brother Loki was bound to a rock until Ragnarok.

Mimir

Mimir is a wise man and uncle of Odin. He protects the well of wisdom under Yggdrasil. After being decapitated, Odin received wisdom from the severed head.

Nanna

In Norse mythology, Nanna is the daughter of Nef and the wife of Balder. Nanna died of grief over Balder's death and was burned with him on the cremation pyre. Nanna is Forseti's mother.

Njord

Njord's longing for the sea.WG Collingwood / Wikimedia Commons

Njord is a Vanir god of wind and sea. He is the father of Freya and Frey. Njord's wife is the female giant Skadi, who chose him on the basis of his legs, which she thought belonged to Balder.

Norns

Norns Aunts - Norns Aunts. Thaliesin / pixabay.com

Norwegians are fate in Norse mythology. The Norwegians may have once guarded the fountain at the foot of Yggdrasil.

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Odin

Odin on Sleipnir the 8-legged horse, from the History Museum, Stockholm.mararie / Flickr.com

Odin is the head of the Aesir gods. Odin is the Norse god of war, poetry, wisdom and death. He gathers his piece on the warriors slain in Valhalla. Odin has a spear, Grungir, that never misses. He sacrifices, including his eyes, for the sake of knowledge. Odin is also mentioned in the Ragnarök legend of the apocalypse.

God of thunder

Thor With Hammer and Belt.Arni Magnusson Institute, Iceland.

Thor is the Norse god of thunder, the chief enemy of the giants, and the son of Odin. The ordinary man called upon Thor instead of his father, Odin.

Tyr

Tyr and Fenrir, 18th century Icelandic manuscript "NKS 1867 4to".Royal Danish Library.

Tyr is the Norse god of war. He put his hand in the mouth of the wolf Fenris. Then Tyr was left-handed.