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TWELVE HOLY GODS

THE AESIR

 

 

 

odin

ODIN

Odin is a prominent deity known as the god of wisdom, war, death, poetry, and magic. He is often depicted as a tall, old man with a flowing beard and only one eye, having sacrificed his other eye to drink from the Well of Urðr, gaining immense knowledge of the universe. Odin is the ruler of the Aesir tribe of gods and the king of Asgard. He is married to the goddess Frigg and is the father of several gods, including Thor, Baldr, Höðr, Víðarr, and Váli.

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thor

THOR

Thor is known as the god of thunder, lightning, storms, and agriculture. He is the son of Odin, the chief of the Æsir, and Jörð, the personification of the Earth. Thor is the strongest of the Æsir and is often depicted as a protector of Asgard and Midgard, the human realm, against the jǫtnar, a race of beings native to Jötunheimr. Thor is married to Sif, a golden-haired goddess, and is the father of Magni and Móði. He is also the stepfather of the god Ullr.

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baldr

BALDR

Baldr is revered as the god of light, radiance, joy, purity, peace, and forgiveness. He is a member of the Æsir and is the son of Odin and Frigg, and the twin brother of Höðr, the blind god of darkness. Baldr is married to Nanna, with whom he has a son named Forseti, the god of justice. Baldr reminds us of what it means to be noble, of what it means to be Aryan. Baldr shines with nobility. Baldr is also the God that reminds us the most of hope and of the return to a Golden Age. Even when we see darkness around us… darkness can never withstand the light.  

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njord

NJORD

Njord is a significant god among the Vanir, a tribe of gods distinct from the Aesir. He is associated with the sea, seafaring, wind, fishing, wealth, and crop fertility. Njord is the father of the deities Freyr and Freyja by his own sister, making their relationship unique. Njord is often invoked for aid in seafaring and hunting, and he is considered the god of “wealth-bestowal,” or prosperity. Njord’s realm is called Nóatún, and his worship was particularly popular among seafarers who sought bounty from the seas.

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freyr

FREYR

Freyr is a significant deity associated with fertility, prosperity, peace, and good weather. He is a member of the Vanir tribe of gods and became an honorary member of the Aesir after the Aesir-Vanir War. He is also known as the god of peace, capable of preventing wars and conflicts and promoting harmony among people. Freyr controls the weather, including rain and sunshine, which are crucial for agriculture and daily life. He is associated with human fertility, granting love and marriage to those who seek his favor.

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tyr

TYR

Tyr is associated with war, heroic endeavors, and justice. He is often depicted as the god of single combat and is known for his sacrifice of his right hand to the monstrous wolf Fenrir. Tyr is foretold to be consumed by the monstrous dog Garmr during Ragnarök, the prophesied end of the world. Tyr is also associated with law and justice, as well as his importance in earlier Germanic mythologies, where he is known by different names such as Teiws in Gothic, Tīw in Anglo-Saxon, and Ziu in Old German.

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bragi

BRAGI

Bragi is the god of poetry, music, and the harp. He is often depicted as an old man with long gray hair and a long gray beard, playing a harp. Bragi is associated with the Æsir, the principal clan of gods, and is the son of Odin, the chief god. He is also the husband of Iðunn, the goddess of youth and vitality, who provides the gods with apples of immortality. He is frequently mentioned in Old Norse poetry from the Viking Age, where he is described as regaling the einherjar, the warriors who dwell in Valhalla, and welcoming newly deceased heroes into their midst.

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heimdallr

HEIMDALLR

Heimdallr is a god who serves as the watchman of the gods. He is described as the son of Odin and nine maidens, who nourished him with boar’s blood. Heimdallr is known for his exceptional abilities, including the ability to see for 100 leagues and hear grass grow in the meadows, which makes him an ideal guardian for Asgard. Heimdallr’s primary role is to guard the Bifröst, the rainbow bridge that connects Asgard to the human realm. He resides at Himinbjörg, his fortress located at the top of the Bifröst.

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vidarr

VIDAR

Víðarr is a god among the Æsir associated with vengeance. He is the son of Odin and the giantess Gríðr. According to prophecy, Víðarr will avenge his father’s death by killing the monstrous wolf Fenrir during Ragnarök, a cataclysmic event marking the end of the world. Víðarr survives this conflict by stepping on Fenrir’s lower jaw with a shoe made of all the scraps of leather ever discarded by shoemakers, while grabbing the wolf’s upper jaw and tearing its mouth apart. After Ragnarök, Víðarr is expected to rule alongside his brother Váli in the newly formed world.

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vali

VALI

Váli is a god and son of Odin and Rindr. He is known for his role in avenging Baldr’s death by killing Höðr, who was an unwitting participant in the act. Váli grew to full adulthood within one day of his birth and is prophesied to survive Ragnarök. He is described as a daring fighter and a fortunate marksman. Váli has several brothers, including Thor, Baldr, and Víðarr. His birth was intended solely for the purpose of avenging Baldr, and he played a significant role in the binding of Loki using the entrails of his brother Narfi. This act of vengeance and retribution is a defining characteristic of Váli.

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ullr

ULLR

Ullr is a god associated with skiing, archery, and oaths. He is often considered an enigmatic deity. Ullr is the stepson of Thor and the son of Sif. According to some sources, Ullr temporarily took over the guardianship of Asgard when Odin was exiled, demonstrating his importance and trustworthiness among the gods. Ullr is often associated with the yew tree, which was used to make bows, further emphasizing his connection to archery.

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forseti

FORSETI

Forseti known as the god of justice and reconciliation. He is the son of Baldr and Nanna daughter of Nep: he has that hall in heaven which is called Glitnir. This hall serves as a celestial courthouse where disputes are settled. All that come to him with such quarrels as arise out of law-suits, all these return thence reconciled. He is often associated with the concept of mediation and is considered a key deity in resolving disputes.

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