Questions about Óðr
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who is Óðr in Norse mythology?
Óðr is a Norse god associated with desire, passion, and inspiration. He is the husband of the goddess Freyja and the father of Hnoss and Gersemi, as described in the Prose Edda and Heimskringla, both written in the 13th century by Snorri Sturluson.
What does the name Óðr mean in Old Norse?
The name Óðr means "soul," "mind," "wit," "sense," "song," and "poetry" in Old Norse. It derives from the Proto-Germanic root *wōðaz, meaning "possessed, inspired, delirious, raging."
Is Óðr the same as Odin?
Many scholars, including Jan de Vries, Stephan Grundy, and Rudolf Simek, argue that Óðr and Odin were originally the same figure, with Óðr being the elder form. Snorri Sturluson kept them distinct in his texts, but the near-identical etymology of their names and their shared trait of long journeys makes a complete separation difficult to sustain.
Why does Freyja cry tears of red gold for Óðr?
According to chapter 35 of Gylfaginning in the Prose Edda, Óðr frequently departed on extended journeys, leaving Freyja behind. She wept tears of red gold for him during his absences and eventually traveled among many peoples searching for him, acquiring numerous names in the process.
Who are the daughters of Óðr and Freyja?
Óðr and Freyja had two daughters named Hnoss and Gersemi. Both names literally mean "jewel," and according to Snorri Sturluson in Ynglinga saga, the girls were so beautiful that their names came to stand for "our most precious possessions" in the language.
Where is Óðr mentioned in the Poetic Edda?
Óðr is mentioned in stanza 25 of Völuspá, where Freyja is referred to by the kenning "Óðr's girl" (Old Norse: Óðs mey). A figure called Œdi, possibly connected to Óðr, also appears in stanza 47 of Hyndluljóð, though scholars disagree on whether Œdi and Óðr are the same.