Curated category
Æsir
- OdinThe reconstructed Proto-Germanic theonym Wōðanaz translates to lord of frenzy or leader of the possessed. This root adjective wōðaz means possessed…
- FreyjaThe Old Norse word Freyja translates directly to mean lady or mistress. This transparent meaning appears in the dictionary entry for the feminine noun.
- ThorThe name Thor emerges from the Proto-Germanic root Þunraz, meaning thunder. This ancient word evolved into various forms across Germanic dialects.
- FreyrIn Norse mythology, Freyr stands as the god associated with kingship, fertility, peace, prosperity, fair weather, and good harvest.
- LokiThe name Loki connects to the Germanic root *luk-, which denoted things to do with loops. This linguistic origin points to knots, hooks, closed-off rooms…
- BragiThe name Bragi appears in Old Norse texts with no single clear origin. Scholars connect it to the noun bragr, which carries two distinct meanings.
- DagrIn stanza 25 of Vafþrúðnismál, the jötunn Vafþrúðnir answers Odin's question about the origin of day. He states that Delling is the father of day while night…
- BaldrThe Old Norse name Baldr means brave or defiant, yet also lord and prince. This theonym stems from Proto-Germanic *Balðraz, which translates to hero or…
- TýrThe name Týr stems from the Proto-Germanic word Tīwaz, which simply means 'God'. This single term served as a title or epithet that eventually became…
- ÆsirThe modern English term Aesir derives from the plural Old Norse word aesir. Its singular form is ass. In Old English, speakers used the cognate word eese.
- ÓðrThe Old Norse theonym Óðr derives from an identical noun meaning mind, wit, soul, or sense. It also carries the meaning of song and poetry within that same…
- RígsþulaA single sheet of parchment from the fourteenth century holds the only surviving copy of Rígsþula. This fragment rests within Codex Wormianus, cataloged as…