Set As Default Person
||, Yngvi-frey |
||Of Uppsala King of Sweden |
- From Norsk mythology
Freyr also spelled Frey, also called YNGVI, in Norse mythology, the ruler of peace and fertility, rain, and sunshine and the son of the sea god Njörd. Although originally one of the Vanir tribe, he was included with the Aesir. Gerd, daughter of the giant Gymir, was his wife. Worshiped especially in Sweden, he was also well-known in Norway and Iceland. His sister and female counterpart, Freyja, was goddess of love, fertility, battle, and death. The boar was sacred to both. Freyr and Freyja figure in many lays and stories of medieval Iceland.
Much more is told of Freyr, the son of Njörd. His name means "Lord" (compare Old English Frea), but Freyr had other names as well; he was called Yngvi or Yngvi-Freyr, and this name suggests that he was the eponymous father of the north Germans whom Tacitus calls Ingvæones (Ingævones). The Old English Runic Poem indicates that the god Ing was seen first among the eastern Danes; he departed eastward over a wave and his chariot went after him. It is remarkable how the chariot persists in the cult of the Vanir, Nerthus, Ing, and Freyr. A comparatively late source tells how the idol of Freyr was carried in a chariot to bring fertility to the crops in Sweden. In an early saga of Iceland, where crops were little cultivated, Freyr still appears as the guardian of the sacred wheatfield. Freyr's name often is found as the first element of a place-name, especially in eastern Sweden; the second element often means "wheatfield," or "meadow
The Eddic poem Skírnismál ("The Lay of Skírnir") relates the wooing of Freyr's bride, Gerd (Gerðr), a giant-maiden. This story has often been considered as a fertility myth. Gerdr (from garðr, "field") is held fast in the clutches of the frost-giants of winter. Thus, Freyr, as sun-god, would free her. However, this interpretation rests entirely on disputable etymologies. The narrative indicates that Freyr's bride belongs to the otherworld, and her wooing may rather symbolize the affinities of the fertility god with the chthonian powers, dominating the cycle of life and death. Several animals were sacred to Freyr, particularly the horse and, because of his great fertility, the boar.
The centre of Freyr's cult was Uppsala, and he was once said to be king of the Swedes. His reign was one of peace and plenty. While Freyr reigned in Sweden, a certain Frodi ruled the Danes, and the Danes attributed this age of prosperity to him. Frodi (Fróði) was also conveyed ceremoniously in a chariot, and some have seen him as no other than a doublet of Freyr. Freyr was said to be ancestor of the Ynglingar, the Swedish royal family. Such myths are connected with the concept of "divine kingship" in the Germanic world, but earlier views on "sacral royalty" are now being challenged.
107) FREYR PROPOSES TO GER?UR
One day Freyr was sitting in Hliðskjálf, and saw the giant-maiden Gerður
daughter of Gymir. She seemed to him the most beautiful of all maidens,
and he was filled with longing and sorrow, but dared not tell the other
gods, who worried about him. Of all the Giants Gymir was now the most
terrible, and a sworn enemy of Ásgarður, and therefore a bond of matrimony
between the Gods and Gymir would be a shameful thing indeed, and most
dangerous for all of creation. Nevertheless Freyr's passion became so
overwhelming that he felt that he would die unless Gerður become his.
He opened his heart to Svipdagur, and it came to pass that Svipdagur
went to Gerður in order to propose marriage on Freyr's behalf. He took
with him the ring Draupnir and eleven golden apples, but she would only
accept the proposal on three conditions: that her father Gymir receive
Völundur's sword; that Svipdagur and Freyja fetch her and accompany her
into Ásgarður; and that she become one of the Goddesses in Ásgarður.
108) THE SWORD OF REVENGE IN GYMIR'S POWER
The Gods accepted unwillingly, and thus forfeited the certain victory,
which the sword had ensured. The sword was a great gain for the giants,
even if they would never be able to use it without destroying themselves.
Gymir gave the sword into the keeping of his kinsman Eggþér, who buried
it deep below the earth in the Iron-Wood (Járnviður).
109) BATTLE IN THE HALL OF GYMIR
Svipdagur went to Gymir's hall along with Freyja. They planned to
betray the Giants. Þórr and Ullur rode secretly to the north, and
hid themselves near to Gymir's mountainous abode. Gymir told Svipdagur
that he planned to keep Freyja, and proposed that he himself marry
Gerður. Thus he would regain the sword of revenge, be able to fulfil
the blood vengeance which he had sworn, overthrow the God-powers and
himself become Lord of the Universe. Svipdagur pretended to accept
this, and now a double wedding was prepared. Just in time Þórr and
Ullur burst into the rocky hall. Svipdagur grabbed his weapons, and
Freyja fought valiantly by her husband's side. Gymir and all his clan
were slaughtered after a violent battle, and the Gods brought Gerður
Freyr (fray-er), Frey, Fro - (also Ingve-Frey) Vana-God, brother-consort of Freyja; son of Njord and Njord's sister. "The Lord", fertility and creativity God; "the Lover"; God of Yule. He is the god of wealth and peace and contentment. Blood was not allowed to be spilled through violence, nor where weapons or outlaws allowed on or in his holy places. He owns the boar, Gullinbursti, the ship, Skidbladnir, and a magic sword, that moves by itself through the air. Gerd, a Giantess, is his wife. Sensual love, fertility, growth, abundance, wealth, bravery, horses, boars, protector of ships and sailors, peace, joy happiness, rain, beauty, weather, guarantor of oaths, groves, sunshine, plant growth, sex. He ruled over the land of the light elves, Alfheim.
Frey, also known as Fro Ing, is Son to Niord and brother to Freya. Apparently, Frey?s mother is Niord?s sister. He is married to the giantess Gerd and they have a son named Fiolnir.
Frey is the god of kings, especially in Denmark and Sweden. Known, as the god of frith (fruitful peace) and of good weather, this ?God of the World? rides a boar named Gullenbursti. It was made out of an ingot of gold and boar skin.
He also has a boat called Skidhbladnir. It fits in his pocket and can grow to any size he needs it to be. Fro Ing gave up his horse, Blodhughofi, and his sword to his best friend Skinir. With this sword and steed he went to Muspellheim and convinced Gerd to marry Frey. His hall is Alfheim, world of the elves.
At Ragnarok, Frey will fight with a Stag?s horn and be killed by Surt, the fire giant.
||16 Sep 2000 |