The Vanir (questions)

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The Vanir (questions)
By: / Beginner
Post # 1

Hello. I recently picked up the topic of The Vanir Gods and I am confused with this:

  1. Who is superior? Freyja or Freyr?
  2. Who is Sif?
  3. Is Gerda a goddess?
  4. Who is the wife of Odin?
  5. Is Skadi Odin's Son?

Thank you very much.

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Re: The Vanir (questions)
By: Moderator / Adept
Post # 2
This thread has been moved to Norse Paganism from Misc Topics.
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Re: The Vanir (questions)
By:
Post # 3

Who is superior? Freyja or Freyr? Neither they are twins.
Who is Sif? Sif is the wife of Thor, she has long golden hair and is the patroness of the harvest.
Is Gerda a goddess? Gerda is a giantess, goddess of the earth and wife of Freyr.
Who is the wife of Odin? Frigg, also time to point out Odin, Frigg, and Thor are Aesir
Is Skadi Odin's Son? Skadi is the giantess (female) of winter, skiing, and bow hunting. So no, she is not Odin's son.
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Re: The Vanir (questions)
By:
Post # 4
This site lists many of the gods and goddesses of the Norse:
http://www.godchecker.com/pantheon/norse-mythology.php?list-gods-names

This is a visual depiction of the Norse God "Family" Tree:
http://humon.deviantart.com/art/Norse-Gods-Family-Tree-568622811
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Re: The Vanir (questions)
By: / Knowledgeable
Post # 5

I wouldn't say that when it comes to Freyja or Freyr that one is superior compared to the other. They are brother and sister, children to Njord. All three became Aesir during the conflict between the Aesir-Vanir. Freyja was often associated with love and beauty (as well as death). She taught the practice of seidhr to Odin. Freyr was often associated with fertility and harvest. You asked later on if Gerd was a goddess? Yes. She's the wife of Freyr, a jotunn whom he wooed. There's a lot more to all three of those deities, but that's the short version.

Sif is the young and beautiful wife of Thor, known for her golden locks. There isn't an incredible amount mentioned about her in the lore. She is sometimes associated with fertility and crops. I've never personally looked much into her, so I would suggest again that you do some research if you're more curious.

Odin's wife is Frigg, whom is a motherly goddess. She has several handmaidens. In many ways, she is kind of like a queen in Asgard whom overlooks the ongoings that occur, gives her husband council, and is well-respected. She was a goddess to mothers and wives and home-related matters, often called upon in childbirth and around the hearth. Much like her husband, she is also said to have a magical inclanation.

Skadi is not Odin's son. Skadi is a female jotun whom later became one of the Aesir. Her story is an interesting one, in my opinion. She is a goddess of the hunt, associated with ice and winter. She originally marched to Asgard against the Aesir after the death of her father (you should read more about this). Through an arrangement, she came to marry Njord but their relationship ended after not too long. She stayed with the Aesir as they valued her counsel.

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Re: The Vanir (questions)
By: / Knowledgeable
Post # 6

Ah! Nord beat me to the punch. Those links are good to check out. I'd definitely recommend reading more about all those deities if you're curious about them.

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Re: The Vanir (questions)
By:
Post # 7
I watched Thor: The Dark World last night and was corrected the Mythology for my husband and son. :D So, I was ready for this.
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Re: The Vanir (questions)
By: / Beginner
Post # 8

I'm still weary of watching Thor 2: The Dark World because of my relationship with the Dokkalfar. However, I do enjoy correcting lore whenever I watch religious inspired fiction with my mother (oh look, that's most of fantasy). It's really the only exposure she gets to my religion and practice and it's a good way to spend time together in a way we both enjoy.

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