Viking Gods and
Goddesses
By Emma Horner
Viking Gods and Goddesses
The Vikings had lots of myths and the most popular
are about gods and goddesses. There were 3 main
gods called Odin, Thor and Freyja. Despite having
over 20 gods, Viking people could worship about 5
maximum. Read on to find out more about the Viking
Gods and Goddesses.
Odin, God of War, Poetry and
Magic
The God Odin is the king of the Gods and Goddesses.
He’s the God of War, Poetry and Magic. His wife
was the motherly Frigg and their son was called
Balder, who was kind and gentle. At the age of 19,
by a trick, Loki, the mischievous God, caused the
death of Balder.
Freyja, Goddess of Love and
Fertility
The Goddess Freyja was the 2nd lead Goddess of the
Gods and Goddesses. She’s the Goddess of love and
fertility. Amazingly, in Viking times the sister would
marry the brother and Freyja married her brother,
the God Frey. Freyja wept golden tears when she
was upset. Frey’s and Freyja’s sacred animal was the
Boar.
Thor, God of the Skies,
Storms and Thunder
The God Thor was the 3rd lead God of the Gods and
Goddesses. Thor was the God of the Skies, Thunder
and Storms. Thor and Loki absolutely hated
each other. He was armed with a magic hammer,
belt and iron gloves. People absolutely adored Thor,
but hated Loki, the “mischievous” trickster god.
Loki, God of Tricks
Loki was related to Odin, the king of the gods, and
hated everyone. He caused the death of Balder,
Odin’s son, and never regretted it. His wife was
called Sigyn and they had a huge amount of kids.
Loki is referred to as the father of Vali in the Prose
Edda. Loki is a shape shifter and in separate
incidents he appears in the form of a salmon, mare,
seal, a fly and possibly an elderly woman.
Freyr, god of Fertility
Freyr was one of the most important gods even
though he wasn’t one of the head gods. He was
specially associated with Sweden and seen as an
ancestor of the Swedish royal house. His sister was
Freyja,Goddess of love and fertility. Amazingly, in
Viking times, you could marry your own brother and
sister, and Frey married his own sister, Freyja.
Valkyries, Goddesses of the
Skies
Valkyries were one of a host of female figures who
choose those who may die in battle and those who
may live. Selecting among half of those who die in
battle. Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and
other mortals, where they are sometimes described
as the daughters of royalty, sometimes accompanied
by ravens, and sometimes connected to swans or
Horses. There would be up to thirteen Valkyries at a
time.
Frigg, Goddess of Marriage
and Motherhood
Frigg was Odin’s wife and Balder’s mother. She was
the goddess of marriage and motherhood. She has
the power of prophecy, but she does not tell what
she knows. Frigg’s mother isn’t known in the stories
that have survived into the present day. Amazingly,
Thor is actually her step-son.