ORIGIN: Nordic [Icelandic]
TYPE: Fertility and Vegetation goddess
KNOWN PERIOD OF WORSHIP: Viking period (circa CE 700) and earlier, until after Christianization (circal CE 1100).
SYNONYMS: Gefn (giver); Mardoll; Syr (Sow); Horn; Skialf; possibly Thorgerda in some parts of the north.
CENTER(S) OF CULT: Principally in Sweden and Norway, but spread throughout the Nordic Region
ART REFERENCES: Stone carvings
LITERARY SOURCES: Icelandic codices: Prose; Edda (Snorri); Historia Danica (Saxo); inscriptions; various place names.
INFORMATION: Freyja is one of the most popular of the deities in Asgard. A Vanir goddess, twin sister and/or wife of Freyr, and daughter of Njord. A goddess of love concerned with affairs of the heart, marriage, and prosperity. Much sought after by giants, and reputed to have enjoy sexual liaisons with many suitors, including gods and elves. She drives a chariot pulled by two cats and is said to roam at night in the form of a she-goat. She also rides upon a boar with golden bristles, the Hildeswin. Closely associated with death, according to some legends she received half of those slain in battle (see Othin). A weeping goddess with tears of gold, symbolized by the boar (see Frigg), she wears a necklace with ritual significance, the Brisingamen. Said to be able to take the shape of a falcon and fly great distances. Associated with a form of witchcraft, seior, involving a seeress and divination. Frigg and Freyja are possibly separate aspects of a single divine principle.