Norse Gods and Goddesses

"I find no comfort in the shade, Under the branch of the Great Ash.
I remember the mist of our ancient past.
As I speak to you in the present, My ancient eyes see the terrible future.
Do you not see what I see? Do you not hear death approaching?
The mournful cry of Giallr-horn shall shatter the peace, And shake the foundation of heaven."
- Doom of Odin

Norse religion was followed in many European countries before Christianity became popular. Anglo-Saxon myths and Indo-European myths were considered to be a part of Norse mythology. Germanic tribes of north Europe practiced Norse religion. The beliefs, rituals and the traditions are known as Norse paganism. Norse gods and goddesses were mortals and they have a heavenly abode separated from that of the human beings. We look at a few Norse gods and goddesses and also at Norse myth.

Norse Gods

The Norse gods are classified into two main groups known as the Aesir and Vanir. The historians believe Vanir Norse gods were worshiped until the Indo-Europeans conquered north Europe. The Norse gods of Indo-Europeans were known as Aesir.

Odin - He is known as the father of all Gods. Odin is the Norse God of Knowledge and Wisdom. Later, he was also known as the God of War. It is believed that Odin could travel to any realm of the Nordic world. Wednesday is the day of the week that is favored by Odin.

Thor - Also known as Donnar, Thor is the God of Thunder. Many believe him to be the son of Odin, while some argue he is the god most favored by Odin. Thor is the protector of Midgard and he protects the lesser mortals from the giants and evil. The day that is sacred to him is Thursday.

Loki - He is a god feared by the mortals and the Norse gods. Loki is neither an Aesir nor a Vanir. He is known as the Norse God of Fire. It is believed that he is both, a friend and a foe of mankind. Norse myths describe him as a trickster as he challenges the other Norse gods.

Norse Goddesses

Freya - The Norse Goddess of Love and Beauty is Freya. She is worshiped for her wisdom and also for her war skills. Freya belongs to Vanir classification of the Norse Gods. Her sacred animal is the cat and Friday is her sacred day.

Skadi - Skadi is married to the Norse god Njord. She is the Goddess of Winter and the Hunt. She is also worshiped as the Goddess of Justice and Righteous Anger. It is believed that she had punished Loki and sent him to the underworld for all his crimes.

Fricka - Fricka, also known as Frigga, is the mother of all Norse Gods and the mortals. It is believed that she knows the future of all human beings. She is the wife of the Norse god Odin.

Norse Mythology

Norse myths differ from other mythology. The reason is Norse gods are mortals and they renounce their life during the war against the evil. Norse mythology is a collection of myths of the Scandinavian nations such as Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Iceland. Philosophers and historians opine that the origin of Norse mythology was during the Indo-European period.

According to Norse myths, the Universe was divided into three levels and nine different worlds resided in these levels.Various Norse gods and goddess resided in these worlds.