Freyr
Norse Mythology
Who Is Freyr?
- Freyr is a fertility God who belongs to the Vanir tribe of deities.
- An Old Norse poem called him "the foremost of the gods" and "hated by none." Though that is not hard to understand because the people's well-being and prosperity depended on his goodwill.
- His goodwill "manifested itself in sexual and ecological fertility, bountiful harvests, wealth, and peace."
- Since Freyr became known for his benevolence, he became an often recipient of sacrifices at many occasions, such as weddings and around harvest time.
- Small fact, during harvest festivals, Freyr often received sacrifices in the form of his favorite animal, a boar (as pictured above. Freyr riding on a boar.)
Random Cool Facts!
- As pictured above, that is Gerd, Freyr's wife, who is a Jotun (a giant.) Freyr had become very ill by loving Gerd from afar. Gerd was threatened into marrying Freyr although she didn't really want to.
- Freyr often rode in a chariot pulled by boars.
- There is a possibility that Freyr was the ruler of the elves, but there is no surviving source that confirms this.
- Apparently, incest is a common thing in Freyr's family.
- Freyr has a twin sister, Freya.